PS5: how to install an M.2 SSD in the console and transfer your games

Another element to take into account: the heat sink. Either the SSD integrates it directly, and in this case you have to take care of the physical dimensions, or it does not, and you have to install one. In this case, we can recommend the be quiet! MC1.

• The list of all SSDs officially compatible with the PS5

Once you have your SSD, you can start the operation.

Update the console

First of all, you must start by making sure you have installed the latest updates for the PlayStation 5. If your console does not run at least on version 21.02-04.00.00.42, it does will simply not be able to boot with the SSD installed. It is therefore essential to have updated the console before starting to install the additional storage.



To be sure that the console is up to date, the easiest way is to go for a walk in settings, under System and look for an update. It is also possible to check the version number in the “console information” section.

If your console is correctly up to date, remember to turn it off before unplugging it.

Install the SSD in the PS5

If your SSD comes directly with a heatsink installed, you can go to the “open the console” step.

Install the cooling

Before installing the SSD, it is necessary to install a heat sink if it does not have one. In our example we use a Samsung 980 Pro SSD and a heatsink be quiet ! MC1. The installation is relatively simple, you must first observe the direction of installation.

In the length, it You just have to align the SSD and the two parts of the heatsink so that the holes for the screw are on the same side. Make sure that the top of the heatsink, its largest part and responsible for cooling, is on the side of the SSD storage chips. We describe a lot here, but in reality it’s rather instinctive, and the heatsink also comes with an explanatory note.



Once the heat sink is correctly positioned, all you have to do is remove the plastic tab that protects the stickers on each side of the heatsink to put the heatsink in the right place on the SSD. In the case of the Be Quiet heatsink, all you have to do is position the screws supplied with the device to firmly tighten the heatsink with the SSD.

Open the console

We move on to the operation which can ultimately be the most frightening: opening the console. First of all, take care to remove the removable stand from the PlayStation 5.

Once this is done, you must put the console horizontally, taking care to position the face with the PlayStation logo against the worktop.



You must then remove the white wall. To do this, you have to push up on the console while pulling outwards. Applying a little force, the PlayStation 5 panel should come off, revealing the chassis with the fan and a few ventilation holes.



Install the SSD

With the PlayStation 5 always lying horizontally, without its white wall, it is necessary to identify the location of the SSD. This is a slender slot protected by a gray metal cover and a screw. With a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the gray cover to reveal the location provided by Sony to install the SSD.

Before placing the SSD, you must first unscrew the screw which should be by default located at the 110 mm marker. Be careful, there is also a small metal ring to recover in this operation. Place the metal ring in the correct position for your SSD. In our case, it is a Samsung 980 Pro, a fairly standard NVMe 2280 SSD on a PC and we therefore place the ring at 80 mm.

You must then install the SSD, starting by inserting the PCI Express connector into the port provided for this purpose. A key prevents installation in the wrong direction.



Apriori, the heatsink should be turned towards the outside of the console, so there is only one possible direction. By pushing a little in the port, you should feel a sag in the SSD signifying that it is properly installed.

It only remains to screw the SSD

Then just screw the small screw that went with the ring, at the 80 mm location in our example.

Close the console

Once the SSD is installed, just repeat the operations in the opposite direction. First close the SSD cage by replacing the small gray metal element with its screw, then replace the white wall of the console, again using a little elbow grease.

To replace the wall, use the various white plastic “screws” to help you locate its installation.

Install or move the games on the SSD

On first launch, the console should detect the new SSD and offer to format the storage so that it is readable by the console.

How to move a PS5 game to the M.2 SSD?

Now the interface of The PlayStation 5 will name your additional SSD the “M.2 SSD” to differentiate it from the “Console Storage” SSD. You can easily move your games from the console settings, in the storage section.



Then simply choose “games and applications” to access the list of games. You can then select the titles you want to move to the M.2 SSD storage of the console.



How to install default games on M.2 SSD

Rather than always moving the games by hand, it is possible to install them directly on the M.2 SSD automatically.



Again, this option is in the storage settings from the console. It is possible to set a separate location for PS5 games and apps as well as for PS4 games and apps. For example, you can configure the first to install the PS5 games on the M.2 SSD, and the second to install the games on an external hard drive.

In principle, one of the advantages is that it will be possible to keep this SSD by changing the console. For example if a PS5 Slim or a PS5 Pro should see the light of day.

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