PS4:Upgrading your Hard Drive

Prerequisites

To upgrade/replace the HDD you will need:

1. An external USB hard drive or flash drive at least 2GB in size, or large enough to store a backup of all your game saves/applications, if you want to keep them.
2. A PS4 recovery firmware that matches the same version already installed, or newer. (You can get the latest from playstation.com)
3. A computer that can connect to the USB drive
4. A Phillips #1 screwdriver
5. A 2.5" (laptop size) HDD or SSD large enough to store any content you are migrating from the old drive.

Backing up game saves and applications (Optional)

1. Format the USB drive as FAT32 or exFAT
2. Connect the USB drive to the PS4
3. On the PS4, navigate to Settings → System → Backup and Restore → Backup
4. Choose what content you would like to back up. The process may take hours to complete depending on your selections
5. Unplug the USB drive from the PS4

Replacing the Hard Drive

Original PS4 (CUH-10xxA series, CUH-11xxA series, CUH-11xxB series, CUH-12xxA series, CUH-12xxB series)

1. Shut down the PS4
2. Unplug all cables from the PS4
3. Slide the cover to the side of the console until it pops and you can remove it (the one on the top right with "SONY" written on it right above the disc drive)
4. Unscrew the HDD retention screw (the screw with PS symbols on it next to the HDD)
5. Slide the HDD caddy out of the system
6. Unscrew the four screws holding the hard drive into the caddy
7. Slide the hard drive out of the caddie
8. Insert the new HDD in the caddie in the same orientation as the old drive
9. Install the four screws that hold the HDD to the caddy
10. Insert the HDD caddie into the console
11. Install the HDD retention screw
12. Reassemble the console and reconnect the cables

Slim PS4 (CUH-20xx series, CUH-21xx series, CUH-22xx series)

1. Shut down the PS4 Slim
2. Unplug all cables from the PS4 Slim
3. Slide the HDD bay cover (located on the bottom opposite side of the power plug)
4. Unscrew the HDD retention screw (the screw with PS symbols on it in the middle of the HDD caddy)
5. Slide the HDD caddy out of the system
6. Unscrew the four screws holding the hard drive into the caddy
7. Slide the hard drive out of the caddie
8. Insert the new HDD in the caddie in the same orientation as the old drive
9. Install the four screws that hold the HDD to the caddy
10. Insert the HDD caddie into the console
11. Install the HDD retention screw
12. Reassemble the console and reconnect the cables

PS4 Pro (CUH-70xx series, CUH-71xx series, CUH-72xx series)

1. Shut down the PS4 Pro
2. Unplug all cables from the PS4 Pro
3. Pull up the HDD bay cover (located on the bottom opposite side of the power plug)
4. Unscrew the HDD retention screw (the screw with PS symbols on it in the middle of the HDD caddy)
5. Slide the HDD caddy out of the system
6. Unscrew the four screws holding the hard drive into the caddy
7. Slide the hard drive out of the caddie
8. Insert the new HDD in the caddie in the same orientation as the old drive
9. Install the four screws that hold the HDD to the caddy
10. Insert the HDD caddie into the console
11. Install the HDD retention screw
12. Reassemble the console and reconnect the cables

Installing system firmware

1. Plug the cables back in and start the PS4. The console will fail to start up and will ask for a firmware file to install
2. Download your recovery firmware of choice or the latest from playstation.com
3. If you didn't format the USB drive in a previous step format the USB drive as FAT32 or exFAT
4. Create a folder in the root of the USB drive called PS4. Inside that folder create another folder called UPDATE and place the recovery firmware file there named PS4UPDATE.PUP The final path should be <drive root>\PS4\UPDATE\PS4UPDATE.PUP
5. Plug the USB drive into your PS4 and follow the onscreen instructions to install it
   • This will format the new hard drive automatically; it may take some time
6. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up the system

Restoring game saves and applications (Optional)

1. Connect the USB drive that you used during the backup process
2. On the PS4 navigate to Settings → System → Backup and Restore → Restore, and select the backup you had made previously. This process may take hours to complete. Your system will be erased and the restore process will begin.
3. Once complete your profile and any content you chose to back up will be restored.