This PS5 update fixes major storage issues — What you need to know

This PS5 update fixes major storage issues — What you need to know

Details of the first major PS5 update have been posted on the PlayStation Blog.

The main new feature is the ability to save PS5 games to USB expansion storage. Also included are user interface tweaks, cross-generational "Share Play," and a revamped mobile app.

The update will be available worldwide starting tomorrow (April 13), and the biggest new feature is the ability to transfer PS5 games between USB expansion storage devices and the system's internal SSD hard drive.

One of the PS5's biggest weaknesses is its relatively small, albeit super-fast, 825GB SSD, which is further exacerbated by the fact that only about 670GB of that is usable space. However, this update should alleviate this problem considerably.

It is not possible to play native PS5 games from an expansion drive, as PS5 games require an ultra-fast solid state drive. However, transferring games between hard drives would take much less time than deleting them and then downloading or copying them from disk at a later date.

Also, PS5 titles cannot be downloaded directly to a USB expanded storage device; they must first be downloaded to the console's SSD before being transferred. Thankfully, games are automatically updated no matter where they are stored.

The PS5 will support full storage expansion with M.2 drives in the future, but this has not yet been announced. At this point, however, this new feature is an ideal band-aid and will be a great relief to PS5 gamers whose hard drives are already roaring due to the large install sizes of multiple next-generation games.

The ability to store games on USB expanded storage has been offered by the Xbox Series X since its launch, and it is time for Sony to add this feature to the PS5.

The April update to the PS5 console not only expanded the console's storage options, but also added new features requested by the PlayStation community.

Share Play will be available between the PS5 and PS4. This means that users will be able to chat and share screens with friends on Sony's previous generation console. In more great news, PS4™ users will be able to try out PS5™ games through Share Play.

Improved social features will include the ability to apply to join game sessions and a sophisticated game-based system that should allow easy access to parties and friend lists.

Smaller but very welcome tweaks include the ability for developers to pre-install upcoming game updates for players, improved library sorting (the ability to hide games is much-needed), the ability to set screen zoom in and new trophy settings.

Sony will also revamp the official PlayStation app. In the coming weeks, users will be able to join multiplayer sessions, manage their console storage, and compare trophies with friends.

All in all, this seems like a pretty substantial update, adding a lot of useful features as well as making some necessary adjustments to the system UI.

If you're still in the market for a PS5 console, be sure to bookmark our PS5 Buying Guide for the latest availability information.

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