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Can You Plug a Flash Drive Into a PS4?

Yes, here's how to use a flash drive on PS4

By James Huenink James Huenink Writer Concordia University Wisconsin Concordia Seminary James is a writer and copywriter who has written for various publications including VPNside.com, The Federalist, Amendo.com, and Brew Your Own Magazine. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on November 15, 2021 Reviewed by Chris Selph Reviewed by Chris Selph Chris Selph is a CompTIA-certified technology and vocational IT teacher. He also serves as network & server administrator and performs computer maintenance and repair for numerous clients. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section What Are the Uses of a Flash Drive on a PS4 How to Set up a Flash Drive as Extended Storage How to Copy Save Data to or From a Flash Drive on Your PS4 How to Save Screen Captures From Your PS4 to a Flash Drive Why Won't My USB Storage Device Connect to My PS4? Frequently Asked Questions USB flash drives are handy devices for portable storage, making it easy to move files from one place to another, and they are perfect for game consoles like the PS4. Here's how to use one with the PS4.

What Are the Uses of a Flash Drive on a PS4

The PS4 system software doesn't make it simple to connect a flash drive. The only way to access the flash drive is through layers of menus. The PS4 uses USB storage drives in two ways: extended storage for games and apps and portable storage for files like saves and screen captures.

How to Set up a Flash Drive as Extended Storage for the PS4

You can use a flash drive to extend system storage for games and applications. You need a flash drive that supports USB 3.0 and between 250GB and 8T. Plug the flash drive into the USB port on the front of the PS4. InspiredImages/Pixabay From your home screen, select Settings.
Select Devices.
Select USB Storage Devices.
Select Mass Storage. Select Format For Extended Storage.
Once you have finished all these steps, your flash drive should automatically connect as an option for installing games and apps.

How to Copy Save Data to or From a Flash Drive on Your PS4

You can back up your game saves on a flash drive. While it's easy to do, you have to know which menus to use. Here's how to do it. After you plug the flash drive into the USB port on the front of your PS4, begin at the Home Screen and select Settings.
Select Application Saved Data Management.
To copy save data from the flash drive to the PS4, select Saved Data on USB Storage Device
Select Copy to System Storage. Select the game from which the file comes.
Select the right save file and choose Copy To copy save data to a flash drive from a PS4, select Saved Data in System Storage Select Copy to USB Storage Device. Select the game data you want to copy. Select the game file you want to save and select Copy.

How to Save Screen Captures From Your PS4 to a Flash Drive

The PS4 can save both screenshots and video, but they can be challenging to retrieve from the hard drive. You can plug a flash drive into the PS4 to save those files so you can use them elsewhere. From the Home Screen, select Settings. Select Storage Select the storage device, in this case System Storage. If you use a flash drive or other hard drive as extended storage, the device will also appear here. You will still need to select System Storage to get your screen captures. Select Screen Captures Select the game you used to take a screen capture. Then press the Options button on your PS4 controller. It will take you to a new screen with a list of screen captures. You don't have to know which game you used for the screenshot or video capture. The All folder contains all your screenshots. If you took a screenshot or video capture from the PS4 menus, it would be in the Other folder at the bottom of the list. Find the screen capture you want to save. Press Options on your PS4 controller to bring up a menu on the right. Select Copy to USB Storage. Select the screen captures you want to copy, and select Copy.

Why Won' t My USB Storage Device Connect to My PS4

There are a few reasons why your flash drive won't connect to your PS4. Here are a few things to check. Check your system software because the PS4 requires the latest update to use copied data.Check to see whether your flash drive fits in the narrow gap around the USB port. Some USB flash drives are too wide to connect physically.Go through the menus in the steps above to see whether it connected without letting you know.Check whether the flash drive is working on another device like a computer. FAQ How do you format a flash drive for PS4? The easiest way to format a flash drive on a computer is to plug it in, open File Explorer, and right-click the drive. In Windows, select Format, choose the exFAT option, and start the process. On a Mac OSX machine, open Disk Utility, select the flash drive, and then click Erase. How do I update my PS4 with a flash drive? First, create a folder on the flash drive named PS4 and then make another folder named Update inside the folder. Then, go to the PS4 system software update page, download the update file and save it in the Update folder as PS4UPDATE.PUP. Finally, connect the flash drive to the PS4, start the PS4 in safe mode, and go to Safe Mode option 3: Update System Software > Update from USB Storage Device > OK. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Transfer Data From PS4 to PS5 How to Connect AirPods to PS4 How to Sync a PS4 Controller How to Play PS4 Games on a PC How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to PS4 Install Windows 8/8.1 From USB [Full Walkthrough] How to Find a Flash Drive That's Not Showing Up on a Mac How to Burn an ISO File to a USB Drive PS4 backwards compatibility: Can You Play PS1, PS2, and PS3 Games on PS4? How to Connect a PS4 Controller to a PS5 How to Use the PS4 Web Browser How to Fix it When Your PS4 Is Overheating How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a PS4 How to Reset a DualShock PS4 Controller How to Delete Games on PS4 How to Add Extra Storage to Steam Deck Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies