PS5's first software beta adds M.2 SSD support

By Kes Eylers-Stephenson,

The PS5 should be getting expanded SSD memory support very soon, according to a support page listing on Sony's site. This will allow you to increase the 800GB internal storage by up to 4TB.

The recent beta program is testing the feature, as Sony added a support page that details the method a player can use to add an M.2 SSD to the console. There is not a release date for the general public, but we do now know exactly how the upgrade will be delivered: "This feature is only available to beta users at this time. The internal M.2 SSD expansion feature will be enabled via an upcoming PS5 system software update."

So, what is required from a drive? Well, the PS5 is so fast that it only supports M.2 SSD drives that use the "PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD" interface. In addition, the drive needs to fit within the chassis of the PS5 and have a sequential read speed of 5,500MB/s or faster. The minimum capacity is 250GB, while the maximum is 4TB.

If you want to know how to install an SSD, we would recommend looking at the website. In addition, you will need a Phillips Screwdriver, a well-lit room, and a flashlight. Please, if you are going to do this, make sure that you fully turn off the PS5 and unplug it. If you don't, the upgrade might corrupt your PS5. Not nice.

In addition, we know how getting PS5 games to the new storage works. "When you're using both an M.2 SSD and a USB extended storage drive, go to the Items You Can Move to M.2 SSD Storage tab," which is accessible through the game options in the main menus.

Is this something that you will be doing? Let us know in the comments!

Hardware

Written by Kes Eylers-Stephenson

Editor Kes is our resident expert in PlayStation and Sony news. He writes about PS5 exclusives like Horizon, The Last of Us, God of War, and Death Stranding 2 using experience from years of playing PlayStation games. He also covers PS Plus and trophy news, as well as his favorite games — The Witcher 3, Assassin’s Creed, and some indie gems — before an evening swim.