Formatting a external hard drive for ps4

​The PlayStation 4 (PS4) has revolutionized the gaming world since its release, boasting a vast library of games and media. However, with AAA titles like Call of Duty, The Last of Us Part II, and Red Dead Redemption 2 taking up enormous space sometimes over 100 GB each it doesn’t take long to fill the PS4’s internal hard drive. This is where external hard drives come in as a practical and often essential upgrade.

Using an external hard drive with your PS4 not only increases your storage capacity but can also streamline your gaming experience by allowing you to manage downloads, organize your library, and improve load times (especially with SSDs). But before jumping into gameplay, you need to ensure that your external drive is properly formatted and compatible with the PS4.

Why Use an External Hard Drive with PS4?

1. Expanded Storage Capacity

The most common reason gamers turn to external drives is storage. The original PS4 models came with 500 GB or 1 TB of storage. With modern game file sizes ballooning, even 1 TB fills up fast.

2. Portability

You can take your games with you. Just plug the drive into another PS4 (with your PSN account), and you’re ready to go.

3. Organization

Separate games, DLCs, and media files more effectively. You can choose to install certain titles only on the external drive.

4. Avoid System Slowdowns

Keeping your internal storage below capacity helps maintain performance and stability.

PS4 External Hard Drive Requirements

Before formatting, make sure your drive meets Sony’s criteria:

USB 3.0 or later: Slower USB 2.0 drives are not supported.

Minimum size: 250 GB.

Maximum size: 8 TB.

Proper file system: exFAT or FAT32 (though PS4 formats it automatically to exFAT).

Direct connection: It must be plugged directly into the PS4—USB hubs are not supported.

Compatible Drives

Traditional HDDs: Budget-friendly and offer large storage (e.g., Seagate Game Drive, WD Elements).

SSDs: Faster load times but pricier.

Portable vs Desktop: Portable drives use USB power, while desktop drives need external power sources.

Step-by-Step Guide: Formatting External Hard Drive on PS4

Step 1: Connect the Drive

Turn on your PS4.

Plug your external hard drive into one of the two USB 3.0 ports on the front or rear.

Step 2: Navigate to Devices

Go to the Settings menu from the main screen.

Scroll down to Devices.

Select USB Storage Devices.

Step 3: Select Your Drive

Your connected drive should appear in the list.

Click on it to open more options.

Step 4: Format as Extended Storage

Select Format as Extended Storage.

Confirm by selecting Next.

The system will warn that formatting will erase all data.

Select Format.

Wait for the process to complete.

Once done, you’ll see a message confirming success.

Your external drive is now ready for game and app installations.

How to Use the External Hard Drive After Formatting

Moving Games to External Drive

Go to Settings > Storage.

Choose System Storage > Applications.

Press Options and select Move to Extended Storage.

Check the games you want to move and click Move.

Installing Games Directly to External Drive

Go to Settings > Storage.

Press Options on your controller.

Select Application Install Location.

Choose Extended Storage.

Maintaining External Storage on PS4

Safe Removal

Always remove the drive properly to avoid corruption.

Go to Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices.

Select your drive.

Choose Stop Using This Extended Storage.

Monitoring Space

Check available space via:

Settings > Storage

Both System Storage and Extended Storage are displayed with their free/used space.

Reformatting

If needed, you can reformat the drive:

Go to Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices.

Select your drive.

Choose Format as Extended Storage again.

Formatting on a Computer (Optional Step)

Sometimes the PS4 may not recognize a drive due to previous formatting issues. If that’s the case, you can pre-format the drive on a PC or Mac.

For Windows:

Connect the external hard drive.

Open Disk Management.

Right-click the drive and choose Format.

Select exFAT file system.

Set Allocation unit size to Default.

Click OK to complete.

For Mac:

Open Disk Utility.

Select the external drive.

Click Erase.

Choose exFAT format.

Name the drive and confirm.

Then connect it to your PS4 and format it again through the console.

Common Issues and Fixes

1. PS4 Doesn’t Recognize External Drive

Ensure it’s USB 3.0 or later.

Try using a different USB port.

Avoid USB hubs.

Check for drive damage or try connecting it to a PC.

2. Can’t Format as Extended Storage

Drive might be under 250 GB or over 8 TB.

Previously formatted with an unsupported system.

Try reformatting on a PC/Mac first.

3. Games Won’t Launch from External Drive

Ensure the drive is connected.

Make sure it’s set as the default installation location.

Reboot PS4 or reconnect the drive.

4. Drive Disconnects Randomly

Check USB cable integrity.

Avoid moving the PS4 or drive while in use.

Avoid power fluctuations (for externally powered drives).

Backup and Recovery Tips

While PS4 handles data well, accidental deletion or corruption is still a risk. Consider:

Cloud Saves: Enabled with PlayStation Plus.

Manual Backups: Copy game saves to a USB stick via Settings > Application Saved Data Management.

Recovery Tools: If a drive becomes corrupted, data recovery tools like Recuva or Panda Data Recovery (on PC) might help, though game files may not be recoverable due to encryption.

Best External Hard Drives for PS4 in 2025

1. Seagate Game Drive for PS4

Capacity: 2 TB – 4 TB

Designed specifically for PS4

Plug-and-play

2. Western Digital My Passport

Slim and affordable

Multiple capacities up to 5 TB

Trusted brand

3. Samsung T7 SSD

Super fast loading

Lightweight and compact

More expensive

4. LaCie Rugged Mini

Durable, shock-resistant

Good for travel

USB 3.0 support

5. Toshiba Canvio Basics

Budget-friendly

Reliable performance

Simple setup

FAQs

Can I Use the Same Drive for PS4 and PS5?

Yes, but only for PS4 games. PS5 games require installation on the internal SSD or an officially supported external SSD (with specific speeds).

Can I Use One External Drive Across Multiple PS4s?

Yes, but you must be logged into your PSN account. Games will show locked if you’re not the primary account holder on that console.

What Happens If I Disconnect the Drive Without Ejecting?

Risk of data corruption or lost progress. Always eject properly.

Can I Store Media (Videos, Music) on the Same Drive?

Not if it’s formatted as Extended Storage. To store media, keep it formatted as exFAT and use the Media Player app to access content.

Expanding your PS4’s storage with an external hard drive is one of the best upgrades you can make, especially as game sizes continue to grow. Proper formatting ensures you’re ready to store, manage, and enjoy your library without slowdowns or interruptions.

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