Welcome to my blog post on PS4 hard drives! If you’re an avid gamer, you know how important storage space is when it comes to your gaming console. The PS4 has a limited amount of internal storage, and with game sizes increasing every year, it’s not long before you run out of space. That’s where external hard drives come in. By adding an external hard drive to your PS4, you can significantly increase your storage space and store more games, applications, and media.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about PS4 external hard drives, including how to choose the right one, how to set it up, and some of the best options available in the market. So let’s dive in!
ps4 External Hard Drives
What is ps4 External Hard Drives ?
A PS4 external hard drive is a storage device that can be connected to a PlayStation 4 console through one of its USB ports to increase its storage capacity. This type of external hard drive is specifically designed to work with the PS4 console and allows you to store more games, applications, and media files than the internal storage of the console would normally allow.
External hard drives come in various sizes and capacities, ranging from a few hundred gigabytes to several terabytes. They are typically easy to set up and use, and can be a convenient and cost-effective way to expand your PS4 storage capacity without having to replace the console’s internal hard drive. With an external hard drive, you can keep all your games and media files in one place, and switch between them as you please without worrying about running out of space.
How To Connect An External Hard Drive To Your PS4 Or PS4 Pro
Connecting an external hard drive to your PS4 or PS4 Pro is a simple process that can be completed in just a few steps. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose your external hard drive: Before connecting your external hard drive, you’ll need to make sure it’s compatible with your PS4 console. The PS4 supports external hard drives that are USB 3.0 and have a storage capacity of at least 250 GB but no more than 8 TB. Once you have the right external hard drive, connect it to one of the USB ports on your PS4.
- Format the external hard drive: Once you’ve connected your external hard drive to your PS4, you’ll need to format it. This will erase any existing data on the hard drive, so make sure you back up any important files before formatting. To format the external hard drive, go to “Settings” on your PS4, then select “Devices,” followed by “USB Storage Devices.” Select the external hard drive and then choose “Format as Extended Storage.”
- Set your external hard drive as the default storage location: Once the external hard drive is formatted, you can set it as the default storage location for your PS4. To do this, go to “Settings,” then select “Storage,” followed by “Extended Storage.” Choose “Set Up Now,” and then select “Next.” You’ll then be prompted to choose whether you want to install games and applications to the external hard drive by default.
- Move games and applications to the external hard drive: Once the external hard drive is set up as the default storage location, you can start moving games and applications to it to free up space on your PS4’s internal hard drive. To move a game or application, go to “Settings,” then select “Storage,” followed by “System Storage.” Select the game or application you want to move, then choose “Options” and select “Move to Extended Storage.”
That’s it! You’re now ready to use your external hard drive to store games, applications, and media files on your PS4 or PS4 Pro.
What is FAT32 external hard drive
A FAT32 external hard drive is a type of storage device that uses the FAT32 file system format. The FAT32 file system is an older format that was commonly used on external hard drives, USB flash drives, and other storage devices.
The FAT32 file system has some limitations, such as a maximum file size of 4GB, which means that files larger than 4GB cannot be stored on a FAT32 external hard drive. However, it has some advantages as well, such as compatibility with a wide range of devices and operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
FAT32 external hard drives can be used to store a variety of files, including documents, music, photos, and videos. They can also be used with gaming consoles such as the PS4, but as mentioned earlier, some limitations may apply. It’s worth noting that while FAT32 is an older file system format, it can still be useful in certain situations where compatibility with a wide range of devices is necessary.
What Is the Best PS4 External Hard Drive Format?
The best PS4 external hard drive format is exFAT. This format is compatible with both Windows and Mac, which makes it easy to transfer files between your PS4 and your computer. Additionally, exFAT supports larger file sizes than the older FAT32 format, which is important for games that can be several gigabytes in size.
When you connect an external hard drive to your PS4, the console will prompt you to format it to either exFAT or FAT32. While FAT32 is also a compatible format, it has some limitations, such as a maximum file size of 4GB, which means it may not be suitable for some games or media files.
So, it’s recommended to use exFAT as it offers better compatibility and file size support for PS4 external hard drives. Just keep in mind that when you format your external hard drive, all the existing data on it will be erased, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.
Can PS4 Read FAT32?
Yes, the PS4 can read FAT32 external hard drives. However, it’s worth noting that FAT32 has some limitations that may make it less suitable for use with the PS4, such as a maximum file size of 4GB. This means that games or media files larger than 4GB may not be able to be stored on a FAT32 external hard drive.
Additionally, when using a FAT32 external hard drive with the PS4, you may need to split large files into smaller parts to be able to transfer them to the hard drive. This can be inconvenient and time-consuming.
If possible, it’s recommended to use exFAT format for PS4 external hard drives as it offers better compatibility and support for larger file sizes. However, if you already have a FAT32 external hard drive, it should work with your PS4, but just be aware of its limitations.
Comparison table of exFAT and FAT32
| Features | exFAT | FAT32 |
| Max. File Size | 26 Exabites | 4 Gigabytes |
| Max. Cluster Size | 32 Megabytes | 32 Kilobytes |
| Max. Cluster Count | 232 | 228 |
| Time Resolution | 10 milliseconds | 2 Seconds |
How to Format External Hard Drive for PS4 on PC
This section covers the four most common ways to format external drives on your PC. So the methods you can use are:
Method 1. Format external hard drive for PS4 with EaseUS Partition Master
The first and probably easiest way to format your PS4 external hard drive is to use a professional tool like EaseUS Partition Master Free. This is an ideal tool to help you partition your external hard drive as it can do things that traditional methods cannot.
Follow the following steps to convert your external drive’s format.
Method 1
- Right-click the external drive or USB you intend to format and choose “Format”.
- Set the Partition label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and Cluster size, then click “OK”.
- Click “Yes” to continue.
- Click the “Execute 1 Task(s)” button and click “Apply” to format the hard drive partition
Method 2. Format External Hard Drive for PS4 Using Disk Management
The second-best thing you can do is format the external hard drive with the help of Disk Management. It’s a tool within your computer, and here’s how you can use it:
Step 1. Press Windows + X on your keyboard.
Step 2. Select Disk Management.
Step 3. Find External Storage in the disk management.
Step 4. Right-click on the external device and click Format.
Step 5. Click Yes when prompted.
Step 6. Pick the exFAT file system.
Step 7. Check the quick format and click “OK.”
This will format your partition in the exFAT format, and it’ll take less than a minute. Once you’re done, you can try the next method if this one is too complicated.
Method 3. Format External Hard Drive for PS4 Using File Explorer
The next method is to use the file explorer to format your external device. So, plug in your device and follow these steps:
Step 1. Press Windows + E on your keyboard.
Step 2. Select the device and right-click on it.
Step 3. Press the Format button in the menu.
Step 4. In the file system, pick “exFAT” and format.
This will format your external device much quicker than disk management and make it ready for your PS4.
Method 4. Format External Hard Drive for PS4 Using CMD
The final method you can try on a Windows PC is with the help of CMD or Terminal. This allows you to format your external partition without any errors. So, here’s how you do it:
Step 1. Open CMD as Administrator.
Step 2. Type Diskpart and list disk.
Step 3. Select disk 3 (or the designated number of your external device).
Step 4. Type Format fs=exFAT.
Step 5. Then press enter.
This will format your drive into the exFAT partition. Then, all that you have to do is connect your device to your PS4 console.
How to Format External Hard Drive for PS4 on Mac
In this section, we’re talking about formatting the PS4 external device on Mac. There are only two methods, so let’s get right into it:
Method 1. Format External Hard Drive for PS4 Using Disk Utility
The first thing you’re going to do is open the Disk Utility on Mac. In order to do that, you’d have to go to finder. Then, follow these steps:
Step 1. Open Disk Utility in finder.
Step 2. Find and click on an external device.
Step 3. Click on “Erase.”
Step 4. Pick the “exFAT” file system in the next prompt.
Step 5. Click “Erase.”
This will format your device into the exFAT format and allow you to connect it to your PS4 without any issues.
Method 2. Format External Hard Drive for PS4 Using Terminal Command
The next step is to format the device using the terminal command. In this, you’d have to use the command lines in macOS. Here’s how:
Step 1. Open Terminal in macOS.
Step 2. Type diskutil list.
Step 3. Type diskutil eraseDisk ExFAT DiskName /dev/Disk 3 (replace 3 with external drive partition).
And this will finish up the device format. Once again, all that’ll be left after this is plugging your external device into PS4.
How to Format External Hard Drive for PS4 on PS4
A simple way to do it is by formatting an external device on PS4 with PS4. Here’s how:
Step 1. Plug your external device into your PS4 console.
Step 2. Wait for this prompt to show up.
Step 3. Tap format by pressing X (enter) on your controller.
Step 4. Tap on “Format as extended storage.”
Step 5. Press “Backup PS4.”
This will push PS4 to use your device as the extended storage of itself. However, do not ever plug your external device out when PS4 is running. Otherwise, it’ll cause the games to be corrupt.
Pros and cons of ps4 External Hard Drives
Here are some pros and cons of using a PS4 external hard drive:
Pros:
- Increased storage capacity: One of the most significant advantages of using an external hard drive with your PS4 is that it allows you to increase your storage capacity. This means you can store more games, media files, and other data without worrying about running out of space.
- Improved performance: By offloading some of your PS4’s data to an external hard drive, you may see an improvement in performance, such as faster loading times and reduced lag.
- Easy to use: Setting up and using an external hard drive with your PS4 is a simple process that requires minimal technical knowledge.
- Portability: External hard drives are portable and can be easily carried around, which is convenient if you want to take your games and media files with you to a friend’s house or on vacation.
Cons:
- Cost: External hard drives can be expensive, especially if you’re looking for a high-capacity drive.
- Formatting requirements: To use an external hard drive with your PS4, you will need to format it to a compatible file system, which will erase any existing data on the drive.
- Compatibility issues: Not all external hard drives are compatible with the PS4, so you’ll need to ensure that you choose a drive that meets the console’s requirements.
- Risk of data loss: There is always a risk of data loss or corruption when using an external hard drive, particularly if you don’t eject it properly before unplugging it from your PS4.
Blog post conclusion on ps4 External Hard Drives
In conclusion, using an external hard drive with your PS4 can be a great way to expand your storage capacity and free up space on your console’s internal hard drive. Whether you’re looking to store games, media files, or other data, there are several factors to consider when selecting an external hard drive, such as storage capacity, file system format, and compatibility with your PS4.
When it comes to file system format, exFAT is the recommended option for PS4 external hard drives, as it offers better compatibility, larger file size support, and faster data transfer speeds than the older FAT32 format. However, if you already have a FAT32 external hard drive, it should still work with your PS4, but keep in mind its limitations.
Overall, choosing the right external hard drive and format for your PS4 can help you get the most out of your gaming experience, giving you the space and flexibility you need to store your favorite games, movies, and other media files.
Frequently asked questions on ps4 External Hard Drives
Here are some frequently asked questions about PS4 external hard drives:
Yes, you can use multiple external hard drives with your PS4, but you will need to format each one separately.
- You can transfer games and data from your PS4 internal hard drive to an external hard drive by going to Settings > Storage > System Storage > Applications, then selecting the games or data you want to transfer and choosing “Move to Extended Storage.”
- Can I unplug my external hard drive from my PS4 without ejecting it first?
- It is recommended to always eject your external hard drive from your PS4 before unplugging it to avoid data loss or corruption. You can eject it by going to Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices, then selecting the external hard drive and choosing “Stop Using This Extended Storage.”
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