Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →To download a PlayStation Plus catalog game on PS5, open Games home > PlayStation Plus > Benefits > Game Catalog, choose a game included with your plan, and select Download. To make room, use Settings > Storage to delete or move game installations. Your saved data is separate: PlayStation Plus cloud storage holds saves, not installed games.
Download a PlayStation Plus game
- Check the game’s listing on your console to confirm it is currently available and included with your PlayStation Plus plan. Catalog access, streaming availability, and plan eligibility vary by game and can change.
- From Games home, go to PlayStation Plus > Benefits > Game Catalog.
- Select an eligible game and choose Download. The game installs to available console or expansion storage.
Sony’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog guide also describes streaming eligible titles where supported. Its current guidance states a minimum broadband speed of 5 Mbps for streaming and 15 Mbps for supported 1080p streaming; these are Sony’s stated requirements, not a guarantee of a particular connection’s performance. Streaming requires the appropriate plan and a broadband connection, and some functions may be unavailable while streaming.
See what is using storage and remove installations
Open Settings > Storage to review storage use. For a removable game or app, follow this path:
- Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps.
- Select the game or app you want to remove, then choose Delete.
- If the interface offers Customize, check whether you can remove unused portions, such as add-ons, without removing the rest of the game.
Deleting an installation is not the same as deleting its saved data. Sony says games and applications you delete can be downloaded again from your game library. If a title does not appear there, check that you are using the account that obtained access and review the license. See Sony’s PS5 storage guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- Officially licensed M.2 SSD for PlayStation 5 consoles[4] so you can easily install and play with no concern of compatibility. [4]For PlayStation 5 system software compatibility, please visit the official WD_BLACK site.
- With capacities ranging from 1TB to 8TB[1], your PS5 console has the additional space to store up to 200 games[3] (8TB model) [1]1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment. [3] Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.
- Experience uninterrupted gameplay with a brand-new, optimized heatsink designed especially for the PS5 console for an easy, worry-free installation into the M.2 slot.
- Play directly from the drive and eliminate the need to transfer or delete games from your console with tested and approved storage for your PS5 console[4].
- Push the envelope of PCIe Gen 4 technology with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s[2], giving you seamless gameplay and incredibly short load times. [2]1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.
Choose the right way to make room
| Option | Best for | Important constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Delete and redownload | Recovering space when you do not need a game installed now | Eligible purchases remain available in the library to download again. Saved data is separate. |
| USB extended storage | Keeping PS5 game data for later transfer, or playing supported PS4 games from extended storage | PS5 games cannot be played directly from USB extended storage. Move them back to console or M.2 SSD storage to play. |
| M.2 SSD storage | Expanding internal game storage | The drive must meet Sony’s requirements. Check the current requirements for your specific console model before buying. |
| PlayStation Plus cloud storage | Uploading, downloading, and transferring saved data | It stores saves, not installed game files, and requires PlayStation Plus. |
| Streaming | Playing an eligible title without downloading its game files to console storage | Requires the appropriate plan and broadband; supported games, features, and limitations vary. |
Use USB storage for archiving or PS4 games
USB extended storage can hold PS5 game data, but a PS5 game must be copied back to console storage or M.2 SSD storage before it can be played. Supported PS4 games can be played from extended storage. Sony’s USB extended storage guide explains the distinction.
Consider an M.2 SSD for more internal capacity
A compatible M.2 SSD expands internal game storage and avoids the USB extended-storage play restriction. Compatibility depends on Sony’s required specifications, so verify the current requirements for your PS5 model rather than relying on a general product description.
Keep game saves separate from game installations
PlayStation Plus cloud storage is for saved data, not the installed game. Sony’s current cloud-storage guide states limits of 100 GB for PS5 saved data and 100 GB for PS4 saved data, plus a 1,000-file limit for PS4 saved data. These are the limits shown on the current support page; Sony does not give a publication year for them there.
Rank #2
- 【Officially Licensed SSD 】This external SSD uses specially-selected materials and has passed our exclusive quality inspection to work with PS5 / PS4.
- 【Eliminate PS5(R) Storage Shortages】You can expand the free space on your system by saving PS5(R) game data and PS4(R) game titles onto this product.
- 【Reduce Loading Times on PS4(R)】 Reduce game loading times for more enjoyable gameplay experiences.
- 【Compact Stick Type】The cable-free and compact USB stick design enables easy connection with your game console without taking up space.
- 【Accessories】 Setup Guide / Warranty Statement
To manage cloud saves on PS5, open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings, choose Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4), then choose the upload or download option. Automatic sync can be configured for PS5 saves. According to Sony’s guide, PS4 saves are uploaded automatically but must be downloaded manually to PS5 console storage.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Moving between a streamed game and a downloaded game
A save from a streamed PlayStation Plus game is stored by PlayStation; a save from a downloaded game is stored on the console. These save types do not transfer automatically between streamed and downloaded versions. Use cloud storage to upload and download the save when moving between the two.
Before deleting saved data, verify that the save you need is synced or otherwise backed up. Removing a game installation through Games and Apps is a separate action from managing saved data.
Rank #3
- BEST VALUE SSD – Compact and reliable SSD to meet your on-the-go demand. Compatible with PS4/PS5, Macs, and PCs. Save space and loading time on your console by storing your game data on Buffalo SSDs.
- IDEAL ON-THE-GO ACCESSORY - Quickly copy your large data. If you are a professional in need of fast and secure storage, the Buffalo SSD is ready for on-the-go backup for photos, videos, docs, and more.
- FAST SPEEDS AND MULTI-TASKING - Faster speed than HDD enables you to connect the device to PC and do large intensive tasks simultaneously.
- COMPACT, DURABLE, & RELIABLE – Shock-resistant, rugged design provides drop protection. Compact form factor to carry your data in your pocket. No matter if it’s for work or fun, you can easily use your Buffalo SSD on-the-go.
- USB 3.2 CONNECTIVITY & 3-YEAR WARRANTY – Supports USB-C / USB-A. Easily connect the Buffalo SSD to your PC and other mobile devices. THREE-YEAR WARRANTY for registered devices (two years if unregistered).
Start a download from the PlayStation App
The PlayStation App can start a game download to a linked PS5. The console must be set up for remote downloads, and behavior depends on its connection and automatic-download settings. If the download does not begin, check that the app is linked to the intended console and review the console’s rest-mode and automatic-download settings. See Sony’s PlayStation App download guide.
If a download will not install
- Confirm plan access: Check the game listing on the console. Catalog availability and plan eligibility can change.
- Check free space: Review Settings > Storage. Installation or updates may require more free space than the listed download size; there is no universal buffer amount established here.
- Remove or move game data: Delete a game you can redownload, or move PS5 data to USB extended storage for later transfer back to playable storage.
- Check account and license: If a deleted title is missing from the library, confirm you are signed into the account associated with its access and review the license.
- For remote downloads: Confirm the app is linked to the right console and that remote-download and automatic-download settings permit the action.
Interface labels and availability can differ by region and system software version. The Game Catalog and storage instructions above follow Sony’s U.S. support guidance; the linked USB extended-storage page is Sony’s Australian regional guide.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
