The PlayStation 5 may have a very fast storage expansion port waiting to be used, but Sony has decided to unlock external USB storage options in the first major PS5 console update since it launched.
As reported on the PlayStation.Blog, with the latest system update installed, it’s now possible for PS5 owners to connect a compatible USB drive and transfer games to it. PS5 games can’t be played from USB storage (PS4 games can), but Sony points out it’s a great way to keep a local backup and that “It is faster to reinstall PS5 games from USB extended storage than to re-download or copy them from a disc.” Sony also confirmed that when you transfer a game back to internal storage it will automatically receive any pending updates, as well as players being asked which parts of a game they want reinstalled (campaign, multiplayer, etc.).
Keep in mind there are certain prerequisites for connecting USB storage to the console. It must be a USB 3.0 or later drive (5Gbps), have a minimum capacity of 250GB and maximum of 8TB, you can’t connect through a USB hub, and you can’t plug in more than one USB drive at a time. Even then, not all external drives are guaranteed to work. And as for that spare M.2 storage expansion port in the console being unlocked, it remains a work in progress, but we expect it to become available this summer.
A number of new social features have been introduced as part of this update. Top of the list is the ability for PS5 owners to share their screen with gamers on PS4, but also allow PS4 owners to try out PS5 games using Share Play. PS4 owners can do the same to allow PS5 owners to play their games. Joinable game sessions will also now appear on both consoles, making it easier to quickly join a game or send an invite to friends to join your game.
If you want more control and personalization options, this update delivers. You can disable game chat or adjust players’ volume, game updates can be set to pre-download, it’s possible to hide games from your libray, adjust magnification of the screen, and the Game Base menu has been improved to allow quicker access to content and features. There’s also a new trophy settings and stat screen to explore.
Finally, the PlayStation App has also received a major update. It’s now possible to “save products in a wishlist, get notifications when your friends are online, and change your console online status.” Soon you’ll also be able to manage your PS5 storage, sort and filter products in the PlayStation Store, and join a multiplayer session on the PS5 from within the app.
