How to format an external hard drive for PS5? Learn the steps in this tutorial.

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Linda 

Written by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

The PS5 (PlayStation 5) is a video game console released in November 2020 as an upgrade to the PS4. This version of the PlayStation boasts several improvements, including faster loading speeds. However, it has a more limited storage capacity compared to its predecessor, with only 667GB of usable space.

This makes seeking alternative storage options inevitable, such as using an external hard drive. You can use an external hard drive to store more games and backup files. Before you can use an external hard drive on your PS5, there are certain requirements it needs to meet. First, it needs to support USB data transfer rate, specifically USB 3.0/3.2 Gen 1.

Second, it needs to have a storage capacity of at least 250 GB and up to 8 TB. You'll need to connect the external drive to one of the USB ports on the back, as the ones on the front aren't supported. Also, don't use a USB hub to connect the HDD to the PS5. Lastly, keep in mind that you'll need to format the external drive before you can use it on your PS5.

Do you know how to format an external hard drive for PS5? Keep reading to learn the steps!

What are the formatting requirements for an external hard drive for PS5?

You can use the exFAT or FAT32 file system on your PS5. However, among the two, we recommend using exFAT since it has no limit on the size of supported files. Unlike FAT32, exFAT can accommodate individual files larger than 4 GB.

Since the main purpose of an external hard drive is to store PS5 games, it's better to go with exFAT instead of FAT32. exFAT also offers better functionality since it lets you easily copy files (games and videos) from one location to another.

How to Format an External Hard Drive for PS5 (Your Guide Here)

Are you eager to know how to format an external hard drive for PS5? Don't worry, because this guide will teach you how. You can format the external hard drive on your computer or directly on the PS5 console. Let's explore how to use these methods.

Method 1: Format an External Hard Drive for PS5 on PC

The simplest way to format an external hard drive is by using free software, such as Partition Master, or the built-in Windows tool, File Explorer. This section will detail how to use both methods to format your external hard drive before using it with your PS5.

#1. Format External Hard Drive with Partition Master Tool for PS5 Compatibility

The best and most convenient way to format an external hard drive for PS5 is by using tools Partition Master Free. This tool overcomes the FAT32 limitation and allows you to format the drive from NTFS to FAT32. The process will delete all data, including disk partitions.

If you're using an external hard drive on PS5 for the first time, the Partition Master tool can help you set it up with a compatible format. To format your external drive, make sure you've downloaded and installed the Partition Master tool on your computer.

Step 1. Launch tools Partition Master, right-click the partition of the external hard drive/USB/SD card that you want to format and choose "Format".

Step 2: Specify a new partition label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and cluster size for the selected partition, then click “OK”.

Step 3: Click Yes in the warning dialog to proceed.

Step 4. Hit the “Run 1 Task” button on the top left to preview the changes and then click “Apply” to start formatting the external hard drive/USB/SD card.

Aside from managing disks, it's also a powerful disk optimization tool. With just one click, you can wipe all the data on an existing disk partition. If a disk isn't functioning properly, you can also check for file system errors. The “Surface Test” feature lets Partition Master check the status of external hard drives and fix bad sectors. As such, you can use this software to format external hard drives and perform many other functions.

If you find tools Partition Master helpful to format external hard drive for PS5, please feel free to share it with more people in need via the social buttons below.

Method 2: Format the External Hard Drive for PS5 Using File Explorer

The File Manager allows you to format and wipe all data from an external hard drive before using it. You can do this by following these steps:

Step 1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer and open File Explorer.

Step 2. Right-click on the drive and select "Format" from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Choose the file system you want, and give your drive a new name. Check the “Quick format” box.

Step 4: Click the Start button. The computer will begin formatting the external hard drive.

Solved: PS5 Not Recognizing External Hard Drive - 2023

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Method 2: Formatting an External Hard Drive on a PS5 Console

If this is the first time using an external hard drive on a PlayStation console, you'll need to format it to make it compatible with your device. Here's how to format an external hard drive for the PS5 through the PS5 console:

Step 1: Connect the external hard drive to the back of the PS5 console.

Step 2. Use the controller to navigate to Settings, and then select Storage.

Step 3: Next, select “USB Mass Storage” > “Format as USB Mass Storage.” This will begin formatting your external hard drive. This process may take some time, so be patient.

Additional hint:

If you can't format an external hard drive on your PS5, don't worry. There's a guide that addresses the same issue for the PS4, and the solution should work in your case as well. Let's get started:

Why Can't I Format External Hard Drive on PS4?

Are you having the same issue and wondering, "Why can't I format my external hard drive on PS4?" There are multiple ways to format for PS4. Follow us to find the answer and solutions.

Conclusions

It's essential to format the external hard drive before using it as an expansion for PS5 storage. You can do this using a partition manager, File Explorer, or the PS5 console itself. It's recommended to format the external hard drive through a partition manager software before using it on your PS5.

This tool lets you wipe all data and partitions from the drive. It also enables you to convert the drive's file system from NTFS to FAT32. To get started with formatting the drive with Partition Master, make sure to download and install the free version of the software on your computer today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Formatting External Hard Drives for PS5 (UTF-8)

Here are some frequently asked questions about formatting an external hard drive for PS5.

< strong > 1. Why can't I play PS5 games from an external hard drive?

Playing PS5 games from an external hard drive can be cumbersome, as the read speed of such drives may be too slow for the console. It's recommended to use the internal drive for gaming.

**2. Can I use a regular external hard drive with PS5?**

Yes, you can use any external hard drive that supports USB 3.0 and connects to the back of the console to use with your PS5.

3. What type of USB does the PS5 require?

The PS5 supports the exFAT or FAT32 file format. However, exFAT is the more suitable option since it supports larger files and is more user-friendly.

< strong > 4. Why can't I format my hard drive on PS5?

You might not be able to format an external hard drive on your PS5 console because it uses a file system that isn't supported. The PS5 only supports the FAT32 or exFAT formats. Thus, before connecting the hard drive to your PS5, you should consider formatting it to one of these two file systems.