Introduction
Hello everyone.
In this guide, I will be describing the process for installing an SSD expansion in your PS5.
For easy navigation, this guide will be divided into sections.
What You Need
In order to complete this upgrade, you will need a few items.
1. A PS5 running the latest version of the system software.
2. A compatible M.2 NVME drive. It is recommended to get a drive with an included heatsink, but you can choose to get a drive without one and purchase this separately.
3. A small Philips Head screwdriver.
4. A hard flat surface.
What to do
Step 1. Make sure your console is running the latest version of the system software. If it's not, run the update.
Step 2. Power off your PS5 and wait until it shuts down completely.
Step 3. Unplug all cables and make sure there is nothing in the USB ports.
Step 4. Remove the stand from the console.
Step 5. Lay your console so that the side with the PlayStation logo is pointing down, and the ports are on the right.
Step 6. Put your left hand on the bottom left corner of the cover, your right hand on the top right corner, and gently pull up using your right hand. It may take a few tries, and you may even feel like you're going to break the cover, but as long as you're not too rough with it it will pop right off.
Step 8. Get your screwdriver, and locate the metal plate on the upper left side of the console. At the top of this plate is a screw. Unscrew it, remove it, and set it aside.
Step 9. Locate the edge of the plate, lift up, slide towards the top of the console, and set it aside.
Step 10. Move to the top left edge of the console. You will feel an opening with small prongs towards the back edge, and four holes on the flat part of the slot. At the top, you will find a screw. Unscrew it and remove it. Once you take out the screw, you will find a small circular object. This is the spacer that secures the drive in place, so make sure you set these two items aside and don't lose them.
Step 11. Locate your hard drive. On one end you will find a cutout, and the other end will have an even edge. Make sure the edge with the cutout is pointing away from you.
Step 12. Without the spacer inserted, insert the drive at an angle so that the edge with the cutout is pointing slightly higher than the connector prongs. Once you feel it connect, see which hole you need to put the spacer in. You will know because the drive will cover it.
Step 13. Remove the drive and insert the spacer in the appropriate hole.
Step 14. Insert the drive again, making sure the cutout is pointing up at an angle. When you feel the connector click into place, lower the drive so that the cutout is surrounding the spacer.
Step 15. Locate the screw for the spacer, insert it, and screw it in. To make sure the drive is secure, grab the left and right edges and gently lift up. As long as it doesn't move, you know you did it correctly.
Step 16. Put the cover back over the slot, insert the screw, and screw it in.
Step 17. Rotate the console so that the expansion slot is on the bottom left and grab the back cover.
Step 18. To make sure you are applying the cover correctly, look for two circular holes and make sure they are at the top left corner.
Step 19. Line the side with the circles up with the edge of the console and make sure the plate sits flat against the back of the console.
Step 20. Using your left hand, grip the top left corner of the cover, and put your right thumb on the right edge. With your left hand, gently pull the corner to the edge, and use your right thumb to push. Once the plate is secure, you will feel and hear it snap in place.
Step 21. Reattach the stand and connect all your cables.
Step 22. Turn on your console. Once it boots up, you will be presented with a screen asking you to format your drive. Hit the right arrow to move to the format option and hit X.
Once the drive has been formatted successfully, you will be presented with a message telling you the read and right speeds of your drive. Hit X, and you will be ready to go.
Other notes
While going through this process, make sure you are not wearing any metal jewelry, as this can damage the components in the PS5.
To access your drive, go to settings, storage, and the second option will say NVME storage followed by the name of your device. To view information about it, hit X.
In this menu, you can choose the default installation location for games and apps.
To move games from console storage to your SSD, go to console storage, choose games and apps, and when told to select games to move, hit X on the games you want. Once you've selected the content you want moved, hit right arrow to locate the move option and hit X.
The console will start moving the games over, and once the transfer is complete you will get a message letting you know.
Conclusion
I hope this guide was helpful to you. If you have any questions or suggestions for how I can improve this guide, or just want to say Hello, feel free to reach out using one of the contact methods listed in my signature.