Course PS5 Jailbreaking & Modding

Expanding the Internal SSD

Storage, Mods & Staying Safe Preview

The mod that is not a mod

The most useful upgrade for any PS5 - and the safest - is the internal M.2 SSD expansion. Sony officially supports it, and it needs no jailbreak at all. This is the upgrade every customer actually benefits from.

Difficulty: IntermediateModels: PS5 and PS5 Digital (base and Pro)Tools: M.2 SSD, screwdriver, cooling plateSkill: SSD installation

Choose the right drive

  • Use a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 SSD that meets Sony's speed requirements
  • Recommended capacity 250 GB to 8 TB (check the latest console support)
  • Look for a drive with a heatsink or add a compatible cooling plate
  • Prefer models Sony lists as supported or widely tested

Install it safely

  1. Power the PS5 off completely and remove the power cable
  2. Lay the console flat, remove the side panel and expose the M.2 bay
  3. Remove the bay screw, insert the SSD at the correct angle into the slot
  4. Secure it with the screw, refit the panel, and reconnect power
  5. Follow the on-screen prompt to format and manage the new storage

Verify and use it

After formatting, move games between internal and expansion storage from the Storage settings. Games run from either drive at full speed - the expansion is not slower.

Warning: Only install drives that meet Sony's requirements. An incompatible drive can fail to be recognised or, worse, run too hot.
Tip: Check Sony's official support page for the current list of compatible drives before buying.

Practical exercise

Plan an upgrade:

  1. Pick a compatible M.2 SSD for your model
  2. Practise the panel removal on the console
  3. Install and format the drive
  4. Move two games across and verify they run

Check your understanding

  1. What type of SSD does the PS5 M.2 slot take?A PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 SSD.
  2. Why use a drive with a heatsink?PS5 SSDs run hot and need proper cooling.
  3. Are games slower from the expansion drive?No - games run at full speed from either drive.

Answer the questions out loud or on paper. If any are hard, re-read this lesson before moving on.

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