The only downside to playing all the best PS5 games is how much space they are starting to take up on your PS5. You can do thinks like delete save data to try and make more room, but that will only free up so much space. If you're serious about fitting as many games as you want on your system, you need one of the best PS5 SSDs. As opposed to using an external hard drive, SSDs can be installed inside your PS5 so you don't have any extra accessories hanging from you console. Even if you're not a tech wizard, installing a new SSD can be done in just a few minutes following our guide.
When you're ready to get started, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Disconnect all cables from your PS5 and place it on a flat surface.
Step 2: Touch a metal object to ensure you've removed any static electricity from your body and to reduce the chances you'll damage the components within your PS5.
Step 3: Lift and place the PS5 with the logo facing downward and the back of the console facing you.
Step 4: Place your left hand at the to- left corner of the side plate and your right hand at the bottom-right corner of the side plate.
Step 5: Applying upward pressure with your right hand, pop the side plate off, then slide it off the console.
Step 6: Find the expansion slot cover located just beside the console's large fan, then use your No. 1 Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw here.
Step 7: Take off the expansion slot cover and place it aside.
Step 8: Remove the screw and spacer on the far end of the expansion slot (it should be directly beneath the screw you just removed), then set the screw aside.
Step 9: Place the spacer in the hole that corresponds to the size of your SSD. For instance, we're using the Samsung 990 Pro with heat sink, which requires the 80 hole, so the spacer should lay inside that hole while we install the SSD.
Step 10: Carefully take your SSD and attach it into the connector diagonally using slight pressure. It's perfectly normal for the SSD to appear to stick up until you've screwed it down.
Step 11: Hold the SSD down and put the screw back into the spacer to secure it.
Step 12: Screw the expansion slot cover back on.
Step 13: Reattach the PS5's side cover by snapping it in place in the same direction in which you removed it.
Step 14: Plug in your PS5 and ensure that everything is working properly.
Frequently asked questions about PlayStation 5 SSDs
What is an SSD?
An SSD, or solid-state drive, is a flash-based mass storage device. Unlike a traditional hard disk drive, it has no spinning disk and no read head. See our guide to what an SSD is for more detail.
How do I know I'm buying the right SSD?
SSDs come in various shapes, sizes, capacities, and with different connections. It can be complicated finding the right SSD for your console or PC. For help, refer to our SSD buying guide.
