Sony Interactive Entertainment has started unlocking the PlayStation 5 SSD M.2 expansion. Users who have signed up for the PS5 system software beta program can now try inserting a third-party SSD into the expansion slot. This feature will be available to everyone at a later date.
The company has also published a list of requirements to determine which third-party SSD’s are compatible with the PS5. It will generally accept PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD with a minimum read speed of 5,500MB/s. Although the module length can range from 30mm to 110mm, the PS5 only supports modules that are 22mm wide. Sony also requires the module to be installed with a heatsink. However, the company discourages adding more heatsinks if the item already has a built-in heatsink.
Sony previously added USB external storage support for all PS5 users in April 2021. However, the USB drive only acts as cold storage. You cannot play games directly from the USB storage, and you still need to transfer the data onto the internal drive. By installing a compatible third-party M.2 SSD, you will be able to actually expand the PS5’s capacity and store more playable games.
The PlayStation 5 is immediately available worldwide. Sony has sold over 10 million units of the console as of July 18, 2021.
