On your PS4, open Settings > Storage to see how much space is available. To check what a new game requires, open its PlayStation Store page on the console and scroll to Details. If you need room, deleting an installed game application is usually the simplest option—and it is separate from deleting that game’s save data.
Check available space and the game’s requirement
- From the PS4 home screen, open Settings > Storage. The screen shows available storage and how it is being used.
- To check the space required for a particular game, open that game’s PlayStation Store page on the console and scroll to Details. Sony says the minimum free-space requirement appears there. PlayStation Support explains how to check the requirement.
Use the Store’s figure as Sony labels it: minimum free space. It is not a promise that every game has the same install size or that no additional space will be needed in every situation.
Free space by deleting an installed game or application
- Highlight the game or application in the content area or Library.
- Press OPTIONS and choose Delete.
This removes the installed application, so you may need to download or install it again to play. Deleting it does not remove your access to the purchase: Sony says deleted games can be downloaded again from the Library. See PlayStation Support’s PS4 storage guide.
Keep save data separate from the game application
Game applications and saved data are managed separately on PS4. Removing an application is the straightforward way to clear its installation; do not delete save files as a routine cleanup step if you want to preserve progress.
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Back up a save to USB
Connect a USB storage device, then open Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Copy to USB Storage Device. Select the game and files, then copy them. Sony notes that you must be signed in to use this feature.
Delete save data only if you intend to remove it
Sony provides separate deletion paths for saved data in System Storage, Online Storage, or USB Storage: choose the relevant location, select Delete, choose the game and files, and confirm. PlayStation Plus online storage is another possible location for saves, but access to it and whether a current copy was uploaded depend on your account and prior use. The storage and save-data steps are listed in Sony’s PS4 storage guide.
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Compare your options for making room
| Option | What happens to installed games? | What it can store | Effort and trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delete an application | The application is removed from the console; redownload it from the Library when you want it again. | Frees space used by the installed application. | Simple and free, but playing again requires reinstalling or downloading the game. |
| USB extended storage | Supported applications can remain installed on the external drive and be used when it is connected. | Applications and add-ons; not saved data, themes, screenshots, or video clips. | Requires a compatible drive and setup; Sony does not guarantee every HDD model will operate properly. |
| Delete captures | Games stay installed. | Removes selected screenshots or video clips from Capture Gallery. | Useful only if captures use the space you need; copy them to USB first if you want to keep them. |
Add a USB drive as PS4 extended storage
Sony’s stated requirements are PS4 system software version 4.50 or later, an external HDD supporting SuperSpeed USB at 5 Gbps or later, and a capacity from 250 GB through 8 TB. Sony cautions that proper operation is not guaranteed for every external HDD model. Only one extended-storage device can be active at a time; connect it directly to the PS4 rather than through a USB hub. Full requirements are on Sony’s USB extended-storage support page.
Format and move applications
- Connect the drive to the PS4, then open Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices.
- Select the drive and choose Format as Extended Storage. Formatting erases the drive’s existing contents, so use one whose files you are prepared to lose and confirm the console prompt only when ready.
- To move an application, open Settings > Storage, select the storage location and Applications, press OPTIONS, then choose Move to Extended Storage or Move to System Storage.
Extended storage is for applications and add-ons; it cannot hold saved data, themes, screenshots, or video clips. To disconnect the drive, first stop using it through the PS4 quick menu or Settings, following Sony’s safe-disconnection instructions.
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Clear captures if you want to keep your games installed
If screenshots or recorded clips are taking space, open Capture Gallery and delete the items you no longer need. You can also copy captures to USB storage before removing them. Deleting a capture removes that media file unless you have saved a separate copy. See PlayStation Support’s guide to capturing and managing PS4 media.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When an internal drive upgrade makes sense
If you do not want to rely on an external drive and repeatedly moving or redownloading games is inconvenient, Sony also lists replacing the PS4’s internal HDD as an option. It is a more involved hardware change than deleting an application or connecting extended storage.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Menu wording can vary slightly by system language or software version. The menu paths above follow Sony’s support instructions.
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