PlayStation · Storage & Backup

Manage internal, expansion, and external storage

PS5 splits storage between the internal SSD and an optional M.2 expansion slot; PS4 relies on its internal drive plus optional USB external storage. Both platforms let you see exactly what's eating space and free it up without losing save data.

How to open Storage Management

  1. Go to Settings → Storage → Games and Apps.
  2. Sort by size to find the largest installs.
  3. Select a title, choose Delete, and confirm — save data is preserved separately.
  4. Reinstall from your library later at any time; progress carries over.

What you should know

  • Found under Settings → Storage (PS5: separate tabs for Console Storage and M.2 SSD Storage; PS4: System Storage, Extended Storage, and USB Storage).
  • The Games and Apps list shows each title's install size and last-played date, sorted largest first, so the biggest offenders are easy to spot.
  • A PS5 M.2 SSD used for expansion must meet Sony's minimum sequential read speed (5,500MB/s) and generally needs a heatsink — the console will warn or block use if it doesn't qualify.

Removing a game deletes its installed files but keeps your save data and trophies by default — reinstalling later restores your progress, so it's safe to uninstall things you're not currently playing.

Why it matters

Modern game installs regularly run 50–150GB; without periodically clearing space, updates fail to download and new purchases can't install — this is one of the most common blocking errors on both PS4 and PS5.

Best practices

  • Keep at least 10–15% of your drive free so system and game updates have room to stage before installing.
  • For PS4, move rarely-played titles to external USB storage instead of deleting them outright if you plan to return to them.

Common problems and fixes

"Not enough free space" when installing or updating
Delete unused game installs from Settings → Storage → Games and Apps; save data stays intact.
PS5 M.2 SSD isn't recognized or can't be used for PS5 games
Confirm the drive is on Sony's compatibility list, is seated fully in the slot, and has an adequate heatsink — undersized or missing heatsinks are the most common cause.

Tips and tricks

  • On PS4, use "Archive" instead of "Delete" from the storage list — it frees the install space but keeps save data and trophy progress bundled for a faster restore later.

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose trophies if I delete a game?

No — trophies are tied to your PSN account, not the local install, so they remain earned even after uninstalling.