Can I Transfer Ps5 To Ps5 Pro With An External Hard Drive?

Upgrading from a PlayStation 5 (PS5) to the PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) is an exciting opportunity to experience enhanced performance, improved graphics, and faster load times. However, one of the key considerations when making this upgrade is transferring your data—particularly saved games, installed applications, and system settings—to the new console. This is where the question arises: Can I transfer data from my PS5 to PS5 Pro with an external hard drive?

In this guide, we will explore whether it is possible to use an external hard drive for transferring files between the two consoles, how to do it effectively, and whether this method is recommended for all types of data. By the end, you’ll know how to make the most of your external storage device and determine whether it is the best option for transferring your data to the PS5 Pro.

1. The Role of External Hard Drives in PS5 and PS5 Pro Transfers

External hard drives are commonly used for various purposes on the PS5, including expanding storage for games and media, backing up data, and transferring files between consoles. The PS5 Pro, much like its predecessor, allows for external storage devices to be used for game installs, downloadable content (DLC), and system backups. When transferring data from PS5 to PS5 Pro, an external hard drive can serve as an intermediary tool to move both games and user data, provided the necessary steps are followed.

Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to clarify what an external hard drive can and cannot do when transferring data between PS5 and PS5 Pro.

2. What Data Can Be Transferred Using an External Hard Drive?

When using an external hard drive to transfer data between a PS5 and PS5 Pro, the following types of data can typically be moved:

Game Files: Both physical and digital game installations can be stored on and transferred from an external hard drive. Game data includes the game files themselves, downloadable content (DLC), and other in-game assets.

Saved Data: Although saved game data can be transferred to an external hard drive, this is limited to the game files themselves. In other words, the save data does not transfer automatically with the game files and typically requires an additional step (like using cloud storage) for a seamless transition.

Media Files: Any media files stored on the PS5, such as movies, music, or screenshots, can also be transferred via an external hard drive.

However, it’s important to note that system settings, profiles, and other system-level data (such as user preferences or login credentials) will not be transferred automatically by simply moving game data and files onto an external hard drive. These types of data require other methods of transfer, such as a local network connection or cloud storage.

3. How to Transfer PS5 Data to PS5 Pro Using an External Hard Drive

To successfully transfer data from your PS5 to your PS5 Pro using an external hard drive, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare Your External Hard Drive

First, ensure your external hard drive is compatible with the PS5. The PS5 supports external hard drives with USB 3.0 or later connections, and the drive must be formatted properly for use with the console. The hard drive should have at least enough space to store the data you want to transfer.

Formatting the Drive: If your external hard drive is not formatted for use with the PS5, you will need to format it. To do so, connect the drive to your PS5, go to Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage, and follow the on-screen prompts to format the drive. Note that formatting the drive will erase any existing data, so make sure to back up important files before doing this.

Step 2: Back Up Game Files

Next, you’ll need to back up the game files you want to transfer. This includes both the installed games and any associated DLC or updates.

Go to Settings > Storage on your PS5 and select the Games and Apps tab.

From here, you can choose the specific games you wish to back up and select the Move to Extended Storage option. You can select multiple games or just one at a time, depending on how much space your external hard drive has.

Step 3: Transfer Save Data (Cloud or USB)

While your games can be easily transferred using an external hard drive, saved game data is a bit more complicated. You have two main options for transferring saved data:

Cloud Storage (PS Plus Required): If you are a PlayStation Plus subscriber, your game save data is automatically uploaded to the cloud. On your PS5, go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Console Storage and select Upload to Cloud Storage. Once the data is uploaded, sign in to your PSN account on the PS5 Pro, and your saves can be downloaded from the cloud to your new system.

Using a USB Drive for Save Data: If you don’t have a PS Plus subscription, you can manually transfer saved data to a USB drive. To do this, go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5), select the game save data you want to move, and choose Copy to USB Storage Device. Then, on your PS5 Pro, plug in the same USB drive and navigate to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings to copy the saved data from the USB drive to your new console.

Step 4: Transfer the Files to the PS5 Pro

Once your external hard drive is prepared and the game files are backed up, the next step is to connect the drive to your PS5 Pro and restore the data.

Connect the external hard drive to one of the available USB ports on the PS5 Pro.

Navigate to Settings > Storage > Extended Storage on your PS5 Pro. From here, you can select the games and applications you wish to transfer and move them to the PS5 Pro’s internal storage.

At this point, your game files will be available on your new console. If you used cloud storage or a USB drive for your saved game data, you can now download it from the cloud or copy it from the USB drive to restore your progress.

4. Limitations of Using an External Hard Drive for Transfer

While using an external hard drive is an effective way to transfer data, it does come with a few limitations:

Game Saves Not Automatically Transferred: As mentioned earlier, game saves are not automatically transferred with game files. You will need to use cloud storage (if you have PS Plus) or manually back up and restore saves using a USB drive.

System Data Not Transferred: Settings, user profiles, and system-level data (such as network configurations) are not transferred via an external hard drive. You will need to either use a local network transfer or sign in to your PlayStation account on the PS5 Pro to restore these settings.

Storage Limitations: External hard drives typically offer a slower transfer speed than the PS5’s internal SSD. While it’s fine for storing games and media, you may notice slower load times or performance issues when running games directly from the external drive. Therefore, it’s recommended to move high-performance games (such as those with large file sizes or requiring fast load times) to the PS5 Pro’s internal storage for optimal performance.

5. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using an External Hard Drive

Advantages:

Simple and Direct: Using an external hard drive for file transfer is straightforward and doesn’t require an internet connection or subscription (other than PS Plus for cloud storage).

Large Storage Capacity: External hard drives offer significant storage capacity, often exceeding the internal storage of the PS5. This makes it ideal for backing up large numbers of games and media files.

Portability: External hard drives are portable, meaning you can take your games and data with you and use them on any compatible PlayStation console.

Disadvantages:

Slower Transfer Speed: While external hard drives offer a good alternative to cloud storage, they typically have slower data transfer speeds than the PS5’s internal SSD.

Manual Process: Unlike cloud storage, which automatically backs up and restores save data, using an external hard drive for saves requires a manual transfer process, which can be cumbersome.

Read Also: How Long Does It Take To Transfer Data From Ps5 To Ps5 Pro?

Limited by Drive Speed: The speed of your external hard drive is crucial in determining how fast the data transfer occurs. USB 3.0 drives are faster, but older or slower drives can create bottlenecks during the transfer process.

6. Conclusion: Is Using an External Hard Drive for PS5 to PS5 Pro Transfer Recommended?

Yes, using an external hard drive to transfer data from PS5 to PS5 Pro is an effective and feasible solution. It’s especially useful for transferring large game files, media, and other data. However, for a seamless experience, it’s important to combine this method with cloud storage (if available) for save data, as the external hard drive does not automatically handle game saves.

The external hard drive method is best suited for gamers who need a quick and reliable way to move large amounts of data without the need for internet-based methods. It’s also a great option for those who want to keep a physical backup of their games and files. However, if speed is a priority or you want to move everything (including settings and saved games) with minimal hassle, other methods such as a local network transfer or cloud storage might offer better performance and convenience.