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How To Upgrade Your PS4 Slim Hard Drive

Get A Performance A Storage Boost Replacing The PS4 Slim Hard Drive

The new PS4 Slim may be slimmer than its predecessor, but you can still replace the hard drive. Replacing the drive is one of the easiest methods I’ve seen on a console. If you are looking for more storage or more speed upgrading, the stock hard drive is one way to increase performance. All you need to do is follow the steps below:

Tools You Will Need:

  • Small Philips Head
  • Hard Drive or SSD replacement
  • USB Flash drive (2GB or Larger)

Steps In Order

  1. Power down PS4 complete and unplug all cables and power source.
  2. On the back right corner, there is a small piece of plastic that you can easily slide off to reveal the hard drive
  3. Take out the screw with the Playstation button logo in it. Once that is removed. Pull the strap and the drive will slide out
  4. Remove the current drive from the housing.
  5. Place the new driver in the housing exactly like the old drive.(Skinny drives you may need to hold to get the screws back in.)
  6. One you have it back in the house, slide the drive back into the PS4, screw everything back in attach the cover plate
  7. On your PC you will want to plug in your USB Drive (Should be in FAT32) and then download the full PS4 Firmware from the link here.
    1. When going to the page be sure to go down to where it say “Perform a new installation of the software, expand that and click the “Download Now” link there. The file should be around 850MB
  8. On the USB drive create two folders. In the root of the drive create a PS4 folder, then within that folder create a UPDATE folder (all caps).
  9. Make sure firmware file says PS4UPDATE.PUP and copy the file into the UPDATE folder
  10. Reconnect your PS4 to the TV, plug in the controller and USB drive and hold the power button down for 7 – 10 seconds to boot the PS4 to safe mode
  11. Click the PS Button to get to the Safe Mode menu. Choose  and follow the prompts to complete the software install.

The whole process should take between 20-30 minutes to complete. If you need suggestions on hard drives and USB drives to use I have them linked below.

PlayStation 4 Slim – http://amzn.to/2cYDsw6
Seagate 2TB Laptop HDD – http://amzn.to/2cYDmVj
Kingston HyperX Savage 480GB SSD – http://amzn.to/2cYkCHh
Kingston Digital USB 3.0 DataTraveler Mini – http://amzn.to/2cYEMzd

About the author

Warren Bowman

I have a deep passion for everything tech. From gadgets to gaming I get it all and love giving my opinions, reviews and analysis on all things tech. Live Your Tech World In High Definition!

11 Comments

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  • Mr. Bowman, I have to replace my ps4 because the bluetooth module is failing. Since my current 2TB HDD is already up-to-date all I have to do is switch out the HDD and not reinstall the firmware, correct?

  • Very nice guide. I was wondering what would be a good brand of screw driver and size?

    I have few on hand I did test to see if one fit and it does, but it’s been used on other things I worry it might strip it?

    Is the screw when you first take it out extra tight? I tried to loosen it and would not. I did not force it so I’ll probably get new screwdriver.

  • Very useful guide, the best I’ve found online, but two questions:

    what’s the size of the harddrive? I guess I can’t just buy any, must be an exact size…

    and then what about all the games I’ve downloaded? I have to download them again? the save datas will be in the USB?

    Thanks!