Installing an SSD on your PS4 or PS4 Pro

While solid-state drives (SSDs) read and write data much faster than physical hard drives, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro users have been left behind. Luckily, Sony has designed replaceable hard drives for the PS4 so users can upgrade the internal storage space, or better yet, replace the physical hard drive with an SSD for faster loading speeds. Here are some basic insights into the benefits of an SSD and how to upgrade the hard drive in your PS4. If you don't want to dismantle your PS4 to replace the hard drive, you can upgrade the storage space by using an external hard drive. We'll address this in the final section of this guide.

Guide to installing an SSD on your PS4 or PS4 Pro.

1. SSD vs. Physical Hard Drive

Before replacing the PS4 hard drive with an SSD, we tested the existing hard drive by measuring the time the PS4 took to boot to the screen where the operating system prompts you to press the PS button on the controller. We conducted the test twice and achieved results of 27 and 24.9 seconds.

When we replaced the PS4 hard drive with an SSD and conducted a similar experiment, we obtained results of 19.2 and 19.4 seconds. Thus, the boot process will be faster by about 5-8 seconds when using an SSD compared to the physical hard drive that the PS4 comes equipped with.

If you're not too concerned about this, just remember that the process of loading save games, loading levels, and much more will be faster overall. In the long run, the time saved will make your PS4 feel more responsive.

2. Installing an SSD for PlayStation 4 (PS4) Gaming Console

First, you'll need to prepare the following materials:
- 1 adjustable screwdriver
- 1 2.5-inch SSD (larger than 160GB but not thicker than 9.5mm)
- 2 USB cables

Make sure you've saved your save game files to the second USB drive by going to the PS4's Settings menu, selecting Application Saved Data Management, Saved Data in System Storage, and then choosing Copy to USB Storage Device to store your save game files on the second USB drive.

If you've subscribed to PlayStation Plus, you can also upload your saved games to the internet. This way, you'll only need to download them again after installing a new hard drive.

Step 1: Place your PS4 down on a secure surface and press on the glossy black face of the top panel. With the front of the device facing you, slide the panel to the left. It will slide right off, no screws needed.

Step 2: Remove the screws securing the hard drive bay on the face of the PS4. These screws are easy to identify with circular, X-shaped, square, or triangle buttons similar to those on the PS4 controller. They're the type of screws with cross-shaped grooves, but you might need a slightly smaller screwdriver to remove them without stripping the threads.

Step 3: Push the drive towards you and remove the existing hard drive from the PS4 by pulling it to the right.

Step 4: As you remove the hard drive, you'll notice it's still protected by a metal frame, securely fastened with 4 black screws. These screws are located alongside the frame, with 2 on each side. Use a screwdriver to loosen them.

Step 5: Take out the hard drive from the PS4 housing.

Step 6: Place the 2.5-inch SSD into the frame in the same orientation as the previous hard drive was placed. For reference, we stacked the PS4 hard drive and SSD on top of each other in the photo. Pay attention to how the rear ports of each drive match and are positioned correctly.

Step 7: Secure the SSD to the frame with the 4 black screws you removed earlier.

Step 8: Install the hard drive back into the PS4 housing.

Step 9: Secure the hard drive bay with the screws you previously removed using a small screwdriver.

Step 10: Slide the panel back into its original position within the device. Then, reassemble the PS4 but do not power it back on. This is when you'll need to use the remaining USB.

Step 11: Use a computer to download the latest PS4 system software by visiting Sony, clicking on the 'Download Now' link to download the latest version.

Step 12: Insert the remaining USB into your computer, open it, and create a folder named 'PS4' on it. Then, open the PS4 folder and create another folder named 'UPDATE.'

Step 13: Once you've downloaded the PS4 system software upgrade (called PS4UPDATE.PUP), drag it onto the USB and save it into the UPDATE folder. Remember, the UPDATE folder must be inside the PS4 folder on the USB to perform this operation.

Step 14: Carefully remove the USB from the computer and plug it into one of the front-facing USB ports of the PS4. These are the ports you can use to connect the DualShock 4 controller.

Step 15: Press and hold the power button on the PS4 for 7 - 10 seconds until you hear 2 beeps to enter Safe Mode.

Step 16:

Once Safe Mode on your PS4 is enabled, select 'Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software)', which is the 7th option from the top on the screen. Your PS4 will scan the USB you plugged in to retrieve the upgrade file you downloaded from the computer. It may take 20 - 30 seconds, but the next screen will guide you through simple steps to install the PS4 operating system onto the SSD. This step is straightforward; you just need to press the X button on the PS4 controller a few times.

Once the PS4 operating system is installed, you're good to go.

All you need to do is copy the save-game files you've stored on the USB to the new SSD in your PS4. You can plug the USB into the PS4, open the Settings menu on the controller, select Application Saved Data Management, Saved Data on USB Storage Device, and Copy to System Storage.

3. Installing an SSD for PlayStation 4 Pro (PS4 Pro)

The process of changing the hard drive of a PlayStation 4 Pro is quite similar to its predecessor, although there are some minor differences. Fortunately, these differences make the process even easier. Moreover, you can take advantage of the benefits of SATA III speed, provided you have the appropriate tools. The steps are similar to replacing the PS4 hard drive, but if you need visual support, visit the PlayStation website, where there is information about this special system.

To install a new hard drive into the PS4 Pro, you'll need a Phillips screwdriver, 2 USB drives, and a 2.5-inch SSD (larger than 160GB and up to 9.5mm thick). If you have a PlayStation Plus account, you can store data on the Internet for backup and can replace one of the USB drives.

Once you've backed up your files, you can proceed to replace the hard drive on the PS4 Pro.

Step 1: Place the back of the PS4 Pro on a flat, sturdy surface so that the rubber-clad feet labeled PlayStation underneath point upward.

Step 2:Position the plastic tab just to the left of the Ethernet port. Pull the tab firmly out by hand or with a small knife, revealing a metal hard drive secured with a screw.

Step 3: Remove the screw using a Phillips head screwdriver, then slide it towards you by gripping both sides tightly.

Step 4: Remove the current 1TB hard drive by unscrewing the 4 screws on the left and right sides. Pay close attention to the orientation of the hard drive as you will need to position the SSD at the same angle.

Step 5: Once the hard drive has been removed, it's time to install the new SSD. Insert the SSD into the frame in the same orientation as the old hard drive, with the ports and logo facing up.

Step 6:With the hard drive securely in the frame, fasten the screws to secure the SSD in place using the Phillips head screwdriver previously used to remove the hard drive frame from the PS4 Pro.

Step 7:You may need to hold the SSD in place briefly to align the screws with the holes in the frame and on the SSD itself. For best results, start with two screws at diagonally opposite positions.

Step 8: Slide the hard drive frame back into its original position in the PS4 Pro, similar to how you removed it. Then, reattach the larger screw (the one initially removed) to its original position.

Step 9:Replace the plastic cover over the metal frame. This might be a bit fiddly, but eventually, you should be able to snap the metal piece back into place with just a little force.

Step 10:The SSD is installed, but don't celebrate just yet. You still need to boot up your PS4 Pro.

Step 11:Use your computer to download the latest PS4 operating system by visiting Sony, clicking the 'Download Now' link to get the latest version.

Step 12:Plug the USB into your computer, open it, and create a folder named 'PS4.' Then, open the 'PS4' folder and create another folder named 'UPDATE.'

Step 13:After successfully downloading the PS4 operating system (named PS4UPDATE.PUP), drag it onto the USB, and save it in the UPDATE folder. Remember, the UPDATE folder must be inside the PS4 folder on your USB to perform this action.

Step 14:Carefully remove the USB from your computer and plug it into one of the USB ports on the top of the PS4 Pro. These are the ports you can use to connect the DualShock 4 controller.

Step 15: Press and hold the power button of the PS4 Pro for 7 - 10 seconds until you hear 2 beeps to initiate Safe Mode.

Step 16:Once the Safe Mode menu of the PS4 Pro is enabled, select 'Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software)', the 7th option from the top on the screen. The PS4 Pro will scan the USB to retrieve the file you just downloaded from your computer. It may take 20 - 30 seconds, but the next screen will guide you through simple steps to install the PS4 operating system onto the SSD. This step is straightforward; you just need to press the X button on the PS4 Pro controller a few times.

Step 17:To upload the save-game file, insert the USB with the saved file into the front of the PS4, open the Settings menu on the controller, navigate to Application Saved Data Management, Saved Data on USB Storage Device, select 'Copy to System Storage', and your data will be installed.

4. Using External Hard Drive with PS4 and PS4 Pro

You can also expand the storage capacity of your PS4 by using an external hard drive, thanks to the 4.5.0 update released earlier in 2017. The PS4 supports external hard drives, both portable and desktop, ranging from 250GB to 8TB. When you plug in an external hard drive to the PS4 via USB port, you need to format it. This means you'll need to use a new hard drive or have backup files before formatting it for PS4 use. Once formatted, the external hard drive can only be used for your PS4.

When using an external hard drive to expand PS4 storage via a USB port, you can utilize both PS4's storage space and the external drive. Always keep the drive plugged in when the device is running, or else data may become corrupted.

Once booted up and running, you can switch app installation locations by selecting Settings, Storage, and pressing the Options button on the controller. To move installations between device memory and external hard drive, locate the app in Storage, press the Options button on the controller, then choose 'Move to Extended Storage' or 'Move to System Storage.'

Check out our guide on choosing the right SSD here to make sure you get the product you need.