An Xbox One that is full has an easy fix that the newer Series consoles do not: a USB 3.0 external drive of 128 GB or more can store and play Xbox One games directly. Microsoft's route is to uninstall what you are not playing because saved data syncs online, use Manage game and add-ons to drop unused DLC, and add an external drive. The console reformats the drive when you set it up, so back up anything on it first, and the console accepts no more than three storage devices at once.
Differential
Likely causes of “Xbox One, One S and One X storage is full or games will not install”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The internal hard drive is full
What separates it You cannot install a new game and Storage devices shows little free space
How to confirm Open Storage devices, choose the drive and View contents to see what each game uses
- 2
An external drive that does not meet the requirements
What separates it The drive is treated as media storage or does not appear
How to confirm Check it is USB 3.0 or later, 128 GB or more, partitioned, and that no more than three storage devices are attached
- 3
Add-ons and unused content
What separates it Games are few but the drive is full because of add ons and unused content
How to confirm Use Manage game and add-ons and unselect add-ons you do not use
- 4
A USB hub or a drive in Sleep mode power management
What separates it The external drive vanishes after the console sleeps or is on a hub
How to confirm Use a USB 3.0 hub if any, and untick the setting that turns off storage when the console is off
- 5
A drive that needs a console update
What separates it The drive is not detected after a system change
How to confirm Install any pending update under Settings, System, Updates and downloads and check Storage devices again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The free space shown for each drive under Storage devices
- The external drive's make, capacity and USB version
- Which games are the largest on the drive
- Which Xbox One model you have
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck what is using the space
ReversiblePress the Xbox button, choose Profile and system, Settings, System, Storage devices. Each drive shows the percentage used; choose a drive and View contents to see how much each game uses.
Uninstall what you are not playing
ReversibleHighlight the game, press Menu and choose Uninstall. Microsoft says saved data syncs online, so a reinstall brings it back.
Trim add-ons
ReversibleChoose Manage game and add-ons, select the game, unselect the add-ons you do not use and Save changes.
Add an external USB 3.0 drive
ReversibleUse a USB 3.0 drive of 128 GB or more. Microsoft says the console will format it, so back up first, and it can hold and play Xbox One games directly.
Set the install location
ReversibleUnder Storage devices choose the drive and set it as the place new games install, or use Change install locations to let Xbox decide.
Move or copy games
ReversibleIn My games and apps, See all, Games, highlight a game, open the game box, tick the items and choose the external drive, then Move selected or Copy selected.
Fix a drive that is not detected
ReversibleUpdate the console, reconnect the drive or use a different USB port, and check Power options for the setting that turns off storage when the console is off.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Internal drives
- The Xbox One X has a 1TB hard drive. The One S and the original have hard drives as well; an external SSD can improve load times a little on the older mechanical drives.
- External drive requirements
- USB 3.0 or later (hub included), 128 GB or larger, a partition, and no more than three storage devices connected.
- Tools and supplies
- A USB 3.0 drive of 128 GB or more and a Windows PC to format or check it.
- Support details
- Give Microsoft the console model number and the drive's make; not a part number.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the console will not detect a drive on any port after the steps, test the drive on a computer
- !If a game shows as corrupted after a move, uninstall and reinstall it
- !If the console reports storage errors repeatedly, contact Xbox support
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Microsoft does not endorse a USB drive make in these pages, so this page lists requirements only. The Storage Expansion Card is a Series X|S product and does not work on the Xbox One.
Storage devices, uninstalling, moving games and drive setup.
Drive requirements and detection steps.
Formatting a drive on Windows.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can I play Xbox One games from a USB drive?+
Yes. Microsoft says a USB 3.0 external drive of 128 GB or more can store and play Xbox One games directly.
What does the external drive need?+
USB 3.0 or later, at least 128 GB, a partition, and no more than three storage devices connected at once.
Will the console erase my external drive?+
Yes. The console reformats the drive when you set it up, so back up anything on it first.
Do I lose saves if I uninstall a game?+
Microsoft says preferences and saved games sync online and come back when you reinstall.
How much internal storage does the One X have?+
1TB. Microsoft's storage article notes consoles come with 500 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB, and some space is reserved for the system.
Can I use a USB hub?+
Microsoft says if you use a hub it must also be USB 3.0 or later.
Why is my drive not detected?+
Check the requirements, update the console, reconnect it, try another USB port and check the Sleep mode power setting.
Is this the same on the original Xbox One?+
Yes. The storage steps are the same across the Xbox One family.
How do I see which games are biggest?+
Open Storage devices, choose the drive and View contents. The list shows how much space each game or app uses, so you can decide which to uninstall first.
What happens to a game's add-ons when I uninstall it?+
Microsoft says items listed under More add-ons are not downloaded to local storage and appear in-game automatically, so removing the game frees the space its base install used and the add-ons remain available when you reinstall.