Can you use a backup hard drive for PS4?
Mia Phillips
Updated on March 03, 2026
Using an external hard drive to store games and apps on a PS4. Set up is simple — just plug your external USB 3.0 drive into one of PS4 USB ports, navigate to Settings, Devices, USB Storage Devices, then select your new drive and choose “Format as Extended Storage.”
What type of external hard drive works with PS4?
The best external hard drive for PS4
- Seagate Game Drive for PS4. The best external hard drive for PS4 overall.
- Toshiba Canvio Basics.
- WD My Passport.
- WD Black P10 Game Drive.
- Samsung Portable SSD T5.
- WD Black D10 Game Drive.
- Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD.
- Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Drive 5TB.
What type of hard drive is best for PS4?
WD My Passport 4TB Portable Hard Drive. The best PS4 external hard drive – storage and reliability on a budget.
Does any internal hard drive work for PS4?
The standard PS4 hard drive is a 500GB 5400 RPM SATA II hard dri, whereas the PS4 Pro includes a 1TB drive. You can replace either hard drive with any hard drive that complies with these standards, is no thicker than 9.5mm, and is larger than 160GB[1].
Can you replace the hard drive in a PS4?
Replacing or upgrading the internal HDD in a PS4 or PS4 Pro is a simply process. When replacing the hard drive, you can use a standard SATA II hard drive or use a solid state (flash) drive no thicker than 9.5mm. As of the 4.5 system update, you can now use external HDD to store your games and saved data as well.
Should I unplug my external hard drive when not in use?
When you use external storage devices like USB flash drives, you should safely remove them before unplugging them. If you just unplug a device, you run the risk of unplugging while an application is still using it. This could result in some of your files being lost or damaged.
Can I put my old PS4 hard drive in my new PS4?
Swapping the drive itself is extremely simple—all you need is a screwdriver. You will, however, have to back up all your data first, reinstall the PS4 operating system on the new drive, and then restore your data, which can be a bit confusing at first. For that, you will need one (maybe two) USB drives.
How do I backup my PS4 to a USB drive?
Connect the USB storage device you want to use for the backup, and then select (Settings) > [System] > [Back Up and Restore]. Do not turn off your PS4™ system while backing up or restoring data.
How do I back up my PS4™ game data?
Insert the external storage device you’d like to use for the backup into one of the PS4™ USB ports. Go to Settings > System > Back Up and Restore. Select Back Up . Confirm which data you’d like to back up. It is important to back up saved data to avoid losing any game progress during the hard drive replacement.
Why is it necessary to create PS4 backup?
Because of the storage space limitation of PS4, we can’t install all the favorite content, especially in an era where updates are so fast. Therefore, it is necessary to create PS4 backup in time. The built-in backup tool of PS4 allows us to copy the data saved in the PS4 system storage to a removable storage device, such as USB flash drive.
What can I do with my PS4 hard drive?
You can use it for backup and restore purpose. Keeping a clone/copy of your PS4 hard drive is a precautionary step against any unexpected failure the internal hard drive might suddenly undergo. It’s also very helpful if you’re looking for upgrading the stock hard drive with a new drive.
