Saturday, March 23, 2024

How To Change A Ps4 Hard Drive

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Explained In 5 Easy Steps

How To: Replace the Hard Drive in a PlayStation 4 (PS4)

Many users are unsure about what is the correct procedure and what are the best hard drives to opt for, so I have compiled a complete guide for the whole process.

Now, you might be thinking you will lose your all saved game data, so we will make sure you have backed up your data.

Honestly, you dont need to worry because its really easy to replace your PS4 Sony hard drive without losing any data.

But first, make sure you got the below-mentioned things ready before replacing the hard drive:

  • Only the 2.5-inch internal type * and Serial ATA internal hard drives are officially supported with the PS4 system.
  • A Phillips head screwdriver.
  • Curious about how SSDs/Hard Drives Work?Head over to our Complete Guide on Storage.

    An Internal Ps4 Hard Drive Is All In One Place

    If you upgrade your PS4’s internal hard drive as opposed to using an external hard drive, you keep everything in one place.

    This means that you won’t lose your PS4 hard drive, unlike with an external PS4 hard drive, which is quite compact and easy to misplace. You might remove it, only to forget where you placed it, leaving itwith all your precious game datalost forever.

    An internal hard drive saves you that headache, and ensures that the only way you can lose it is if you lose your PS4, which isn’t going to be likely.

    How To Swap A Ps4 Hard Drive: Create A Bootable Drive

    As youll be changing the hard drive, that also means youll be taking away the operating system that the PS4 uses to do, well, everything. Before you begin then its important that you create a bootable USB stick so you can quickly reinstall the OS once youve replaced the drive.

    To do this you first need to go to the Playstation site and download the OS.

    Now create a folder on the USB stick called PS4 and then within this create another called UPDATE . Take the OS file you downloaded and put it in the UPDATE folder. Keep this handy as youll need it later.

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    Best Budget Ssd For Ps4

    Crucial BX500

    Crucials drives dont quite have the performance levels of Samsungs drives, but in the PS4 that is less important thanks to their older storage connectivity systems. Drives like the Crucial BX500 still deliver a good performance boost over the PS4s internal drives, and theyre just as reliable as Samsungs products.

    The BX500 is a little cheaper, too. Its possible to get a 480GB drive for $49 if youd like to give your PS4 a speed boost without any extra space handy if you often play the same selection of games. Its 1TB and 2TB models come in at $100 and $199 respectively.

    • 1x microUSB cable

    Wd Blue 2tb Ps4 Hard Drive

    Change Your PS4

    WD Blue Mobile hard drive is one of the most powerful 2.5-inch with 2tb capacity SATA hard drives on the market today. Its a great choice for PS4 internal hard drive replacement. You can even build an external hard drive for PS4 with this drive.

    That drive is a tried and true Western Digital product that wont let you down in most capacities. For that reason, its worthy of being in your consideration for PS4 hard drive replacement.

    With increased affordability, plenty of storage space, and lightning-fast processing speeds, youll quickly find that its still a good choice for a hard drive.

    The WD 2TB mobile drive is a decent data storage solution and will serve you well. It comes with a two-year warranty and is PS4 compliant.

    Basic Features

    • Fully compatible with all models of PS4
    • Features 128mb cache, 5400rpm spindle speed, and SATA III interface.
    • NoTouch Ramp Load Technology: Safely positions the recording head off the disk surface to help protect your data
    • 2-year manufacturer limited warranty
    • Package includes a hard drive only no screws, cables, or manuals included. Please purchase mounting hardware and cables separately if necessary
    • Ships in WD-certified box for safe transit during shipping

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    Download And Install The Latest Ps4 System Software

    Once the hard disk is installed, the PS4 will automatically reformat it by itself.

    All you need to do is install the latest PS4 system software update and heres how:

  • Plug USB drive into PC and create a folder naming PS4 on the USB root path.
  • Create an Update folder in that PS4 folder.
  • Download the System Update file from the Official PS4 Website and save it with the name PS4UPDATE.PUP and store it in the Update folder.
  • Connect the USB drive to your PS4
  • Turn on PS4 again and click the PS button on the controller. Now go to Settings > System Software Update.
  • If you name the folder and file correctly PS4 will recognize it and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
  • Why Do You Need To Replace The Ps4 Internal Hard Drive

    The reasons for PS4 hard drive replacement include the following situations:

    • The current internal hard drive doesnt have enough space and you need to use a new hard drive to increase the storage space to your system.
    • The old PS4 hard drive slows down and you want to use a new hard drive to increase the performance speed.
    • Your PS4 hard drive is damaged or corrupted.
    • And more.

    However, do you know how to replace PS4 hard drive? MiniTool Software writes this post to show you how to replace PS4 hard drive.

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    Procedure 5 Restore The Ps4 Backups From An External Device

    You can restore saved data from an external device or a USB storage device to the PlayStation 4 system by performing the following steps.

    Step 1. Connect a USB storage device or external hard drive to the system.

    Step 2. Go to “Settings > System > Back Up and Restore”.

    Step 3. Select the “Restore PS4” option and the backup file you’d like to restore.

    You’ll see a screen that tells you that the system will restart and initialize whether or not the backup process is completed. Then, select “Yes”.

    If you want to restore saved data from online storage, sign in to PlayStation Network and go to “settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in Online Storage > Download to System Storage” to restore wanted data.

    Finding Ps4 Model Number

    How To Upgrade a PS4 Hard Drive / SSD!

    Before you attempt to install a new internal hard drive, you first need to identify your PS4 model. It could be an original PS4, a PS4 Slim, or a PS4 Pro, and if you don’t already know which version you have, you can identify it by finding the model number on the console. The model number for an original PS4 will begin with CUH-10xx, CUH-11xx, or CUH-12xx and is located on the bottom of the console, toward the back. The PS4 Slim model number is situated at the back of the console, to the right of the power port and will begin with CUH-20xx. Meanwhile, the PS4 Pro model number begins with CUH-70?? and can be found above the ports on the back of the system. On your console, the “xx” will be replaced with actual digits.

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    Remove The Old Ps4 Internal Hard Drive

  • Tap and Hold the power button on the console for at least 10 seconds until it turns off completely.
  • Unplug the power plug from the back of the console.
  • Now Press and hold the power button several times until theres no remaining power which will clean all the cache and drain the PS4 from any current.
  • If you got a new PS4 then look at the back of the console for a removable panel on one of the corners and there would be a sticker showing the size of the hard drive.
  • Now remove the panel by gently sliding it to the right with your fingers. Boom, and it will get off very easily.
  • Remove the screw to loosen the hard drive
  • Pull the internal hard drive by its ribbon towards yourself to remove it.
  • The hard drive comes out with the case.
  • And remove the four screws through PhillipsScrewdriver from the sides of the hard drive case.
  • The HDD will come out and now you can replace it easily.
  • Video Link of the above steps and image source:

    Is It Worth Upgrading Your Ps4’s Internal Hard Drive

    As well as the obvious extra space, a new internal drive for your PS4 can work wonders, but is it always the answer?

    The base storage on your PS4 might’ve seemed like a lot at the time, but nowadays, it isn’t much. Over the years you might’ve filled it up with games and are now stuck in the juggling act of deleting games to free up space for other ones.

    If this is you, then you might want to consider upgrading your PS4’s internal hard drive. Let’s look at why you should, plus some downsides.

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    Restore Your Game Data

  • Connect the external hard drive containing your backup data.

  • From the home menu, go to Settings > System> Back up and Restore.

  • Choose Restore PS4, select the backup file and follow the on-screen instructions.

  • When your data is successfully restored, the system with restart one last time.

  • When the PS4 home menu comes back up, it should look identical to how it did before the hard drive swap change. Your user profile, save data, and trophies will all be intact.

  • How To Upgrade A Ps4 Hard Drive: Need More Storage Heres How To Replace Your Hdd

    How to Replace a PS4 Hard Drive

    In 2016, 250GB or even 500GB of hard drive storage isnt what it used to be. Games such as ask for around 130GB of space on their own, and when you combine that with all the other DLCs and add-ons, its pretty easy to run out of space. In fact, if youve had a PS4 for around three or four years now, youre probably coming to the limits of your HDD space. So why not replace your PlayStation 4s hard disk drive?

    While getting a brand-new PS4 Pro is a great idea, if you dont need or want the benefits of Sonys new machine, but still want some extra storage, replacing your PS4s hard drive is a relatively easy and cheap option to extend your consoles life. Interested? Read on to see how to replace your PS4s hard disk drive.

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    How To Upgrade Your Ps4 Ps4 Slim And Ps4 Pro Hard Drive

    Having a PS4 for over ten minutes means your hard drive will most likely be filled with games, screenshots and more. If you dont fancy using an external hard drive via USB then its easy to upgrade your existing one.

    The PS4 can be as troublesome as a PSOne memory card when it comes to managing memory. Luckily, Sonys PS4 Slim can now be purchased with a hefty 1TB hard drive, which itself is super easy to upgrade. The PS4 Pro comes with a 1TB hard drive as standard, making the upgrade a little more enticing.

    However, if youre still stuck with an older model, weve included an easy peasy walkthrough below to help you out. All you need is a compatible HDD, a Phillips-head screwdriver, a laptop, a USB drive with around 5GB of free space, and some patience.

    Oh, and our handy step-by-step guide on how to upgrade your PS4 HDD.

    Related: PS4 Pro vs PS4 should you upgrade?

    The Easy Way: How To Expand Your Ps4 Drive Via An External Usb 30 Hdd

    The easiest way to increase the storage of your PS4, whether it be the original model, 2016 refresh or a PS4 Pro, is to add a USB 3.0 hard drive to your setup.

    Any USB 3.0 drive will do the job and the PS4 supports drives up to 8TB in size.

    We chose a dedicated PS4 edition of the Seagate Game Drive with 4TB of space. It’s great value at under £100 and is designed to match the PS4 perfectly.

    Another great alternative is a WD_Black P10 Game Drive, which is specifically designed for gamers and costs only a little more for up to 5TB.

    Whichever you choose, to get it work with your PS4, just plug it into any of the three USB 3.0 ports. We chose one of the rear ports to tuck it out of the way.

    You then need to head to the Settings menu in order to format the drive to work as external storage. Head to Devices, then USB Storage Devices. You should see your new drive listed on the next screen.

    The PS4 will automatically set your external drive to be the default to install games on.

    If you want to use your internal drive instead, go back into the Settings menu, head to Storage and press Options. You will have the option to choose between the internal and external drive as the game installation location.

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    How To Swap A Ps4 Hard Drive: Installing The Os

    With the new drive in place, you just need to install the operating system. Ensuring that the PS4 is completely turned off, insert the USB stick you prepared earlier, then hold down the power button for several seconds until the device boots up in Safe Mode.

    Using a PS4 controller, plugged in via a cable, select Initialize PS4 and follow the on-screen instructions. Thats it, youre now ready to save the universe and all with storage space to spare.

    Images from iFixit.com used with permission.

    How To Upgrade Your Ps4 Hard Drive To An Ssd For Faster Loading Times

    Tutorial: How to Change PS4 Slim Hard Drive and Install System Software

    If your PS4 takes too long to load, you don’t have to wait around for the PlayStation 5. Install an SSD into your gaming console and start playing quicker.

    Sonys upcoming PlayStation 5 has a fancy, built-in SSD, but until that console materializes, youre stuck with agonizingly slow loading times on the PS4. In the meantime, you can upgrade your current consoles drive to an SSD, and breathe new life into an aging gaming machine.

    The 5400 RPM hard drive that comes with the PS4 and PS4 Pro is bone-chillingly slow. Im not generally a launch day kind of buyer, so even this late in the PS4s lifespan, an SSD has been a nice upgrade. It wont make loading times instantaneous, but it can decrease them by 10 to 20 seconds or more. Every game is different, though, and some may not see as noticeable benefitsbut hey, when youre sitting there waiting, every second counts.

    You dont have to worry too much about choosing the fastest possible SSD, but you will need to make sure you buy a 2.5-inch modelnot the M.2 SSDs that have become popular in PCs recently. Im using this Western Digital Blue model, which offers great performance for the price.

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    Find And Remove The Plastic Hard Drive Cover

    Unplug your PS4 Pro from the power source and your TV and move to a flat smooth Surface. This will make sure you avoid losing any of the Parts associated with replacing the Hard Drive.

    Turn your PS4 Pro around to the back side of the console. You will notice a plastic cover near the Ethernet port. This is the covering the hard drive bay. Remove it using the small tab near the Ethernet port which should cause the panel to pop right off.

    Choosing The Best Hard Drive For Ps4

    The next thing youve to think about at this point is how to choose the best internal hard drive upgrade for PS4. Although I have abridged the way for you and other readers and laid out the top 4 hard drive replacement options for PS4, you can still do that your own. You only need to understand how this selection is done and based on what standards.

    The first thing you must look at is YOURSELF. Are you an average/lightweight PS4 player? Or do you consider yourself an enthusiast/power user?

    If you consider yourself an enthusiasts who plays heavy, resource-demanding games, an SSD is the best PS4 HDD replacement for you. Otherwise, go for an SSHD, it offers a very decent performance boost with up to 2tb storage capacity.

    Secondly, what do you not like in the PS4 stock hard drive? Is it its limited capacity? Or its the poor performance it offers? Or maybe both?

    If you are content with the performance of the stock hard drive of PS4, yet you want additional storage space, you better go for a PS4 external hard drive. Otherwise, upgrading the internal HDD of PS4 offers a significant performance boost and a smoother gaming experience.

    You can dive into more details on how to choose the best hard drive for PS4 by reading this post. But generally, here are the basic standards that will help you find the right hard drive for your PS4.

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    Six: Swap The Hard Drives And Replace

    Once you’ve freed up the original hard drive, it’s simply a case of putting your new hard disk or SSD inside, then reversing the process you’ve just performed. So put those four screws in the sides, get the caddy back in the PS4, fasten it in place with the large screw and put the shiny plastic HDD cover back on the PS4.

    If you have the PS4 Slim or PS4 Pro, the process will be the same. Place the hard drive or SSD into the caddy, secure, then slot it back into the Slim or Pro console, screw it in, and replace the plastic cover.

    If the hard drive or SSD doesn’t fit, are you sure you checked it was a 9.5mm-tall or less 2.5-inch SATA drive before buying?

    Should the process go as swimmingly as it went with us, you should be done within 15 minutes.

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