How to install an SSD in PlayStation 5

The PlayStation 5 boasts a lightning-fast SSD that dramatically reduces installation and loading times. However, with only about 660GB of usable space out of its 825GB capacity, it quickly fills up in no time, especially with today’s massive game files. Fortunately, Sony designed the PS5 with an expansion slot for adding an M.2 NVMe SSD to boost storage.

Installing an SSD on your PS5 is straightforward and takes just a few minutes, but it can seem daunting if you’ve never done it before. To make things easier, I’ve created this step-by-step guide, drawing from my own experience of installing and swapping SSDs on my PS5.

Finding the right SSD for PlayStation 5

Don’t get the wrong SSD for your console

Not all M.2 SSDs on the market are made equal, and the PS5 only accepts a specific kind. In fact, Sony has laid out a few requirements for compatible SSDs for the PS5, and you can check them out below.

It’s also recommended that you install a heatsink on your SSD to tame the operating temperature. The best SSDs for PS5 come with a built-in heatsink, so you don’t have to worry about buying and installing one manually on your drive, unless you are repurposing an older drive without a heatsink. I am using an ADATA XPG Gammix S50 Lite SSD to showcase the step for this particular tutorial, and it comes with a built-in heatsink to keep the operating temperature of the drive low.

Pre-requisites

You don’t need much to get started

The only tool you would need to install an SSD inside a PlayStation 5 is a Philips head screwdriver. You’ll also need a compatible heatsink for your SSD’s size in case it doesn’t ship with one out of the box. I also recommend clearing out some space on your desk in order to lay the PlayStation on it while you’re dismantling its side panels.

Removing the side panels

A fairly straightforward process

1. Lay the PS5 flat on your desk or some other flat surface, while ensuring the PlayStation 5 logo is facing down and the ports are facing you.
2. Grip the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the side panel, and carefully pull up the lower-right corner while pushing the panel to the left.
3. Use your left thumb to brace the top of the panel for some grip and apply some pressure to push the panel to the left while lifting the panel up with your right hand to remove it.
4. Locate the metal panel covering the SSD slot and unscrew it to reveal slot.

Installing the SSD

Make sure you add a heatsink

This is the part where you insert the M.2 drive into the slot and secure it with screws. Make sure the M.2 SSD you’re installing has a heatsink. Most PS5-compatible SSDs on the market these days ship with one, so use that before inserting the drive. The XPG Gammix S50 Lite that I am using today for this particular tutorial comes with a heatsink as you can see in the image below.

Once your SSD is prepped to be inserted into the slot, simply follow the steps mentioned below to finish the installation process.

1. Carefully insert the SSD into the M.2 slot by aligning the notch on the SSD with the slot.
2. Secure it using the standoff and the screw that’s already pre-installed in the top screw hole.
3. The drive should sit completely flat on the expansion slot once you secure it in place using the screw.
4. Cover the expansion slot once again after the SSD is in place.
5. Replace the side panel by placing it on top of the PS5 until the hooks align with a click, and push the panel to the right side to lock it in place with a snap.

A fairly simple process overall

And that’s how easy it is to install an SSD on the PS5. The PS5 will automatically detect the M.2 SSD and present you with the option to format it once you connect the PS5 back to the TV and power it on. Allow it to format the SSD to proceed, and you’ll be all set to use it in a few minutes. Your PS5 will also run a speed test to tell you how fast your drive is, and whether it’s faster than Sony’s recommendation. There are plenty of great M.2 SSDs you can buy for the PS5, and I’ll leave a link to buy one of my favorite ones below.

Ultimate PS5 performance

Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink

$140 $175 Save $35

The Samsung 990 Pro is one of the most performant SSDs you can get for your PS5 with plenty of storage up to 4TB. This drive has excellent sequential read speeds at up to 7,450MB/s which is useful for keeping gaming loading times low.