Tutorials · PlayStation
PS4: format and use a USB drive as extended storage
Running out of room for PS4 games? A suitable external drive can hold their installations. Prepare the correct drive, move one game and check that it works before reorganising the rest of your library.
Before you start
PS4, PS4 Slim or PS4 Pro with system software 4.50 or later. Official support specifies 250 GB to 8 TB and SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or faster; not every drive is guaranteed. Connect the drive and its cable directly to the console. USB hubs are not supported.
1. Reserve extended storage for games and apps
Extended storage holds applications and add-ons. It does not store saved game data, screenshots, video clips or themes. Only one extended storage device can be active at a time.
Clarify your goal: more installation space or a backup of game progress? Use a separate suitable device for saved-data backups. Labelling the two helps avoid formatting the wrong one.
Choose a few games based on what you actually play. Checking a small transfer is easier than reorganising the whole library at once.
2. Format only the intended drive
Formatting erases the selected drive. Copy any files you want to keep elsewhere before confirming. Do not experiment with a device containing your only backup.
- Open Settings → Devices → USB Storage Devices.
- Identify the drive by name and capacity, then choose Format as Extended Storage.
- Read the erase warning and proceed only after confirming the device.
When preparation finishes, note the drive name. You will use it in storage menus to identify where applications are installed.
3. Move an installed game
Open Settings → Storage, choose the storage currently containing the game and open Applications. Press OPTIONS, choose the move-to-extended-storage command, select the title and begin the transfer.
Wait until it finishes before touching the cable. Start with one recognisable game so you can compare its location before and after without tracking many simultaneous moves.
Expected result: the game is present on extended storage and launches while that drive is connected.
4. Choose where future applications are installed
In Settings → Storage, press OPTIONS and open Application Install Location. Select extended storage. This setting cannot be changed during a download.
After choosing, check free space before a large installation. Choosing a destination for future downloads and moving existing games are separate actions.
Keep the organisation simple, with devices clearly identified. The aim is to find your games without randomly plugging and unplugging several accessories.
Disconnect the drive and diagnose an initial problem
To unplug it while the console is on, open the quick menu and choose Sound/Devices → Stop Using Extended Storage. Do not remove the cable while the console is shutting down or entering Rest Mode.
If a game stops launching, first check that its drive is connected. The game icon may remain visible when storage is absent, so an error does not automatically mean the installation has disappeared.
If the drive is rejected, record the exact code and consult PlayStation’s official storage error guidance. Check capacity, USB connection and direct attachment before considering another format. A speed warning calls for checking hardware, not repeatedly confirming the same operation.
Before making major changes, check saved game backups separately. Having game installation files and preserving progress serve different needs.
Sources and scope
Translated from the French guide based on official documentation checked on 2026-10-15. This guide does not claim physical testing on your equipment. LODEX’s preparation and result checks are practical advice; follow any warnings shown by your device.
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