If your PS5 is running out of space, you have three practical options: delete games you can download again, move games to USB extended storage, or install a compatible M.2 SSD.
The right choice depends on how often you revisit games and how much time or data you want to spend downloading them. The key difference is that PS5 games can be stored on a USB drive, but they must be copied back to console storage or an M.2 SSD before you can play them.
Check what is using your PS5 storage
From the PS5 home screen, open Settings, then Storage. You can see how much space is available and which types of data are using it.
Check the space required by the game or update you want to install. Leave room for future updates, because the first download is rarely the last amount a game needs.
Delete a game you can download again
If you need space quickly and have a dependable internet connection, deleting an installed game is the simplest option.
- Open Settings, then Storage, then Console Storage, then Games and Apps.
- Select the game or app you want to remove.
- Choose Delete and confirm.
Sony says purchased games can be downloaded again from your game library. Depending on how you access the game, you may need the disc, your account or an active subscription. Redownloading also uses internet data and takes time.
Some games offer a Customize option that removes selected parts while keeping the rest installed. Installed game data and saved progress are separate, so do not delete saved data when you only want to remove a game. Back up important saves first; PlayStation Plus cloud storage needs an active subscription.
Move games to a USB drive
A compatible USB extended storage drive lets you keep game files without downloading them again. That can help if your connection is slow or capped.
There is one major limit: PS5 games cannot be played directly from USB extended storage. Copy the game back to console storage or an M.2 SSD when you want to play it. PS4 games, however, can be played straight from USB extended storage.
According to Sony, the drive needs SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps or faster and a capacity between 250GB and 8TB. It cannot connect through a USB hub, and Sony says not every device is guaranteed to work. Formatting erases the drive, so move anything important off it first.
Add a compatible M.2 SSD
An M.2 SSD adds internal space for games you want ready to play. Unlike USB extended storage, it can run both PS5 and PS4 games, and you can move games freely between console storage, USB storage and the SSD.
Sony’s Philippine support page specifies a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD with 250GB to 8TB of capacity. It recommends a read speed of 5,500MB/s or faster and requires a heatsink or similar cooling. The drive and cooling must also fit the console’s slot.
M.2 SATA drives are not supported, and Sony says it cannot guarantee that every drive meeting its specifications will work. If your SSD has a built-in heatsink, Sony advises against adding another. Formatting the SSD for the first time erases it, and each game must be stored entirely in one place, not split between drives.
A larger SSD costs more upfront, but it can be worth it if you regularly switch between several big games. Compare the price of the drive and cooling against the convenience you need. Claiming this month’s free games? Our PS Plus November 2026 lineup shows what you may want to install.
Which option should you choose?
- Delete: best when you rarely replay a game and can comfortably download it again.
- USB extended storage: useful for keeping large PS5 game files nearby without another full download, as long as you accept copying them back before playing.
- M.2 SSD: best when you want more PS5 games installed and playable at once and are comfortable buying and fitting a compatible drive.
Frequently asked questions
Will deleting a game delete my saves?
Installed game data and saved data are managed separately. Choose the game under Games and Apps, avoid deleting saved data and back up important progress first.
Can I play a PS5 game directly from a USB drive?
No. Sony says PS5 games must be copied to console storage or an M.2 SSD before you play them. Compatible PS4 games can run from USB extended storage.
Does any M.2 SSD work in a PS5?
No. It must meet Sony’s interface, capacity, size and cooling requirements. Sony recommends at least 5,500MB/s read speed but does not guarantee that every matching drive will work.
Takeaway
Start by checking Settings, then Storage. Delete a game if you are happy to download it again, use USB storage if you want to keep PS5 files for later, or add a compatible M.2 SSD if you need more games ready to play.
