The PlayStation 4 (PS4) has been a phenomenal gaming console since its release, offering an incredible gaming experience with its impressive hardware and exclusive titles. As gamers, we always look for ways to enhance our gaming experience, and one of the most pressing concerns is storage space. The PS4’s internal hard drive can quickly fill up, leaving us wondering if there’s a way to expand our storage capacity and play games directly from an external hard drive. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of external hard drives and explore the possibility of playing PS4 games from them.
Understanding The PS4’s Storage Limitations
The PS4’s internal hard drive has a limited storage capacity, which can range from 500GB to 2TB, depending on the model. While this may seem sufficient, games are getting bigger and more storage-intensive, and it’s not uncommon for a single game to take up 50GB or more of space. Add to this the need for patches, updates, and DLC, and you’ll quickly find yourself running out of space. This is where an external hard drive comes in – offering a convenient and cost-effective way to expand your storage capacity.
What Are The Benefits Of Using An External Hard Drive?
Using an external hard drive with your PS4 offers several benefits:
Faster Downloads: With an external hard drive, you can download games and patches much faster, as the data is written directly to the external drive, bypassing the internal hard drive’s slower writing speeds.
Reduced Wear and Tear: By offloading games and data to an external hard drive, you can reduce the wear and tear on your PS4’s internal hard drive, potentially extending its lifespan.
Increased Storage Capacity: External hard drives offer massive storage capacities, allowing you to store more games, movies, and other content, without worrying about running out of space.
Can I Play PS4 Games Directly From An External Hard Drive?
The answer is a resounding YES! With the PS4’s 4.50 system software update, Sony introduced support for external hard drives, allowing you to store and play games directly from an external drive. This feature is often referred to as “Extended Storage.”
What Are The Requirements For Using An External Hard Drive With PS4?
To use an external hard drive with your PS4, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- The external hard drive must be USB 3.0 or later compatible
- The external hard drive must have a minimum capacity of 250GB
- The external hard drive must be specifically designed for use with the PS4 (more on this later)
How To Set Up An External Hard Drive With PS4
Setting up an external hard drive with your PS4 is a relatively straightforward process:
Step 1: Connect The External Hard Drive
Connect the external hard drive to one of the PS4’s USB ports using a USB cable.
Step 2: Format The External Hard Drive
Go to the PS4’s Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices, and select the external hard drive. You’ll be prompted to format the drive, which will erase all data on the drive.
Step 3: Allocate Space For Games
Once the drive is formatted, you’ll be asked to allocate space for games. You can choose to allocate a portion of the drive or the entire drive for game storage.
Step 4: Transfer Games And Data
You can now transfer games and data from the internal hard drive to the external hard drive. Simply go to the Game Library, select the game you want to transfer, and choose the “Move to Extended Storage” option.
What Are The Best External Hard Drives For PS4?
Not all external hard drives are created equal, and some are specifically designed for use with the PS4. Here are some of the best external hard drives for PS4:
- Western Digital 2TB Black P10 Game Drive: A fast and compact external hard drive designed specifically for gaming, with a 2TB capacity and USB 3.0 connectivity.
- Seagate 2TB Game Drive for PS4: A sleek and compact external hard drive designed specifically for PS4, with a 2TB capacity and USB 3.0 connectivity.
- WD 4TB Black My Passport: A high-capacity external hard drive with a 4TB capacity and USB 3.0 connectivity, ideal for storing a large game library.
Conclusion
Playing PS4 games from an external hard drive is not only possible but also highly recommended. With the PS4’s extended storage feature, you can expand your storage capacity, reduce wear and tear on your internal hard drive, and enjoy faster download speeds. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set up an external hard drive with your PS4 and start enjoying your favorite games with ease. So, what are you waiting for? Take your gaming experience to the next level with an external hard drive today!
Can I Play PS4 Games Directly From An External Hard Drive?
You can play PS4 games directly from an external hard drive, but there are some limitations. The PS4 supports external hard drives with a capacity of up to 8TB, and you can store and play games from the drive. However, the drive must be formatted specifically for the PS4, and not all external hard drives are compatible.
To play games from an external hard drive, you’ll need to connect the drive to your PS4, and then format it for use with the console. Once formatted, you can store and play games from the drive, but keep in mind that the drive’s read and write speeds may affect gameplay performance.
Do I Need To Format My External Hard Drive Specifically For The PS4?
Yes, you’ll need to format your external hard drive specifically for the PS4 in order to use it with your console. The PS4 uses a proprietary file system that’s not compatible with standard NTFS or HFS+ formats used by most external hard drives. Formatting the drive for the PS4 will erase all data on the drive, so be sure to back up any important files before formatting.
To format the drive, go to the PS4’s Settings menu, select “Devices,” and then select “USB Storage Devices.” Follow the prompts to format the drive, and then you’ll be able to use it to store and play games. Keep in mind that once formatted, the drive can only be used with the PS4, and not with other devices.
Can I Use Any External Hard Drive With My PS4?
Not all external hard drives are compatible with the PS4. The drive must meet certain specifications, including a minimum capacity of 250GB and a maximum capacity of 8TB. The drive must also be USB 3.0 compatible and have its own external power source.
Additionally, the drive must be specifically designed for use with the PS4, and some drives may not be optimized for gaming performance. Look for drives that are specifically marketed as “PS4 compatible” or “gaming-grade” for the best results.
Will Playing Games From An External Hard Drive Improve My PS4’s Performance?
Playing games from an external hard drive can potentially improve your PS4’s performance, especially if your console’s internal hard drive is slow or full. External hard drives can provide faster read and write speeds, which can reduce loading times and improve overall gameplay performance.
However, the performance improvement will depend on the specific external hard drive you’re using. Faster drives with higher read and write speeds will provide better performance, while slower drives may not offer much of an improvement. Additionally, other factors such as the game itself and your internet connection can also affect performance.
Can I Use An External SSD With My PS4?
Yes, you can use an external SSD with your PS4, and it’s actually recommended over a traditional hard drive. External SSDs provide much faster read and write speeds than traditional hard drives, which can significantly improve loading times and gameplay performance.
To use an external SSD with your PS4, simply connect the drive to your console and format it for use with the PS4. Keep in mind that external SSDs are generally more expensive than traditional hard drives, but they offer much better performance.
Will I Be Able To Play All My PS4 Games From An External Hard Drive?
You’ll be able to play most PS4 games from an external hard drive, but some games may not be compatible. Some games may require data to be stored on the PS4’s internal hard drive, or may require specific files to be stored in a specific location on the drive.
Additionally, some games may not be optimized to run from an external hard drive, which can affect performance. However, most modern games should work fine from an external hard drive, and you can always try moving a game to the drive to see if it works.
Can I Use An External Hard Drive To Store And Play PS4 Saves?
You can use an external hard drive to store PS4 saves, but not to play them directly from the drive. The PS4’s save data is tied to the console itself, and you can’t play games directly from an external hard drive.
However, you can use the PS4’s “Saved Data” feature to upload your saves to the cloud or to an external hard drive for backup purposes. This can be useful if you need to replace your PS4 or want to transfer your saves to another console.