How to install an M.2 SSD on a Playstation 5

Whoever bought the Playstation 5 is great. The latest version of the firmware allows players to control the console from their phone, navigate between versions for different PS generations, and even expand the amount of physical storage with their own hands. Now you can load even more games without overpaying for the configuration of the console.

Latest firmware update and improvements for Sony Playstation 5

On September 15, 2021, Sony released an update for the PS5. The revamp brought a lot of surprises, including:

1. Improved control center
   Players can independently change the control center, making it convenient for themselves.
2. Expanded game base
   You can keep in touch with friends and interesting groups from the Game Base, which is now in the Central Office.
3. Updates to the application library
   If the user has versions of the title for different generations of the console, now the versions for PS4 and PS5 will be shown separately. You can find them in the “Installed” folder. This will help you switch between versions of the story, and choose the one that you like best among them.
4. Advanced control of the screen reader
   It is enough to press PS + triangle and the “information reader” program will start to stop or resume the robotic monologue. And the combination PS + R1 will make the robot reread everything said.
5. Resolution selector
   You can choose between HD and FullHD resolution. A temporary decrease in picture quality will help you evaluate the game, even on a slow Internet.
6. New digital award “Leader”
   If a person in a team game demonstrates remarkable leadership qualities, companions can endow him with the “Leader” badge, which will be displayed in the profile.
7. Auto-capturing “best moments”
   When players compete for the best time or maximum score, and set their personal best, the system automatically records the winning videos and saves it offline.
8. Support for 3D audio for built-in TV speakers
   Now you do not need to buy a soundbar for “surround” sound. The system helps the TV to analyze and emulate the surround sound of a home theater on its built-in speakers. In terms of volume and bass, such a system will play, but it will give realism to what is happening on the screen.
9. PS Remote Play Application
   Allows you to play without a joystick. You can control heroes directly from your phone.

But the most juicy update was saved “for dessert”. From September 2021, PS5 owners can expand their on-board storage with an SSD up to 4TB. It acts as a second hard drive, not just a “big stick”. With an M.2 SSD in your hands, half an hour of free time and hands from the right place, you can expand the capabilities of the set-top box 4 times!

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What is M.2 SSD and why PS5 owners need it

M.2 SSD devices are solid state drives. Previously, when connected to the console, they could only serve as a large flash drive for a couple of terabytes, now you can install games on such a drive.

This significantly expands the capabilities of the set-top box. The user does not need to buy the extended version in order to install their game collection. True , you won’t be able to use this disk as a spare file carrier for your computer . To use an SSD on a curling iron, you will have to format the removable media.

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Benefits of connecting an M.2 SSD to a console

The key advantage of the update is that now avid gamers do not need to think “which game to remove in order to be able to install the new product.” After updating the “curling iron”, it is enough to have a spacious solid-state drive that will fit the following system requirements.

It is enough for the user to acquire a capacious disk in order to have their favorite titles “at hand” without the need to re-install. Just take it, connect the SSD and start playing!

The main thing is to check the drive before purchasing. Even Sony claims they cannot guarantee that all third-party discs will fit perfectly with the box. It is best to buy from those stores where you can issue a quick return.

Sony recommends keeping hardcore games installed on the console’s built-in storage. After all, this is the only way they can guarantee maximum productivity in the most “voracious” titles. However, as practice shows, when a powerful SSD is connected, the quality of the game remains at a high level even in such active stories as Spider-Man , God of War and RDR 2 .

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How to connect M.2 SSD to PS5: step by step guide

When connecting the drive to the set-top box, you will have to do a little work with your hands, connecting the drive to the main device. To do this, you need the following:

• Room with good lighting

To see where and how to attach parts.

• crosshead screwdriver

The optimum rod diameter is 4 mm.

• It is advisable to have a flashlight

Or an LED lamp. You can phone for low beam.

Before starting work, you must touch a metal, grounded object to discharge static electricity, which can inadvertently break the drive or console.

The subsequent sequence of actions:

1. Disconnect the console and disconnect wires and devices from it.
2. Wait 5-15 minutes for the console to cool completely.
3. Place the console on a flat surface and separate the base.
4. Rotate the attachment so that the PS logo is “facing down” and the power button is in the opposite corner.
5. Grasp the edge of the upper left corner with your left hand and the lower right corner with your right hand.
6. Gently lift the cover with one right.
7. Remove the cover with your left thumb while supporting the console with the rest of your hand.
8. Find the rectangular cover above the expansion slot, which is secured with the screws upward.
9. Unscrew the screw (A) on top of the socket and remove the cover.
10. Carefully remove the screw (B) and place the gasket (C) in the groove.
11. Grasp the edge of the hard drive, align it with the notch, and push it in until it stops. You don’t need to be zealous. Once the drive reaches the desired location, you can release it.
12. Tilt the stiffener down and secure with screws. Care must be taken that the disc and ventilation do not interfere with each other.
13. Install the expansion slot cover and tighten the screw. If you can’t cover it, the tough guy is too big. You need to look for a smaller model.
14. Replace the shell. To do this, you need to place it near the top edge and move it to its original state until it clicks.

Install the base and connect the rest of the cables.

After power on, the monitor will display a guide to format the hard disk. Follow them and after 5-15 minutes (depending on the volume of the drive) it will be ready for use.

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How to Install Games on an External SSD for PS5

You can install titles on the hard drive from scratch and transfer them from the original drive along with all the progress.

In order for the downloaded game to appear immediately on the M.2 SSD , you need to do this:

1. Launch the Home screen.
2. Tap “Settings”.
3. Find “Memory”.
4. Click on “Installation site”.
5. Select the required drive.

After that, all new games will be installed on the new hard drive. If you need to transfer existing titles, this is done in this way:

• Go to the “Home screen.
• Select “Game Library”.
• Find the story you want to move and click on the settings.
• Select “Move games …”.
• Then find “Data being moved to M.2 SSD”.
• Check the box on all programs to be migrated.
• Click “Move”.

That’s it, data transfer has started! Depending on the amount of information, this process can take from 10 minutes to several hours.

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How to Disconnect M.2 SSD from Playstation 5

Removing a hard drive follows almost the same algorithm as installing. The only little things that differ are the correct dismantling of the SSD.

You can turn off the drive using the following algorithm:

1. Disconnect the console from power.
2. Remove the base and turn the attachment over.
3. Remove the cover carefully.
4. Remove the screw (A) located on the cover of the expansion socket.
5. Remove the disc screws, then lift and pull up.
6. Tighten the screws on the washer.
7. Replace the cover and base.
8. Launch PS5.