I. Introduction
Do you find yourself constantly running out of space on your PS4? It can be frustrating to not have enough room for new games and content, but there are ways to free up space and expand your storage options. In this article, we will break down the process for clearing space on your PS4 and provide tips for expanding your storage options.
II. Breaking Down the Space-Clearing Process
There are three stages to clearing space on your PS4: deleting unnecessary games, moving save files, and clearing cache.
A. Stage 1 – Deleting Unnecessary Games
Identifying games to delete is the first step in freeing up space on your PS4. Start by looking through your game library and identifying games that you no longer play or have completed. You can also check the storage usage for each game by selecting it and pressing the Options button on your controller. This will give you an option to “Information” where you can see how much storage space the game is using.
Before deleting games, make sure to save your game progress. You can do this by going to the game’s save data and uploading it to the cloud or transferring it to a USB drive (we’ll cover this in Stage 2). Once you have saved your progress, you can delete the game by selecting it from your game library, pressing the Options button, and selecting “Delete.”
B. Stage 2 – Moving Save Files
Save files can take up a considerable amount of space on your PS4. Transferring them to a USB drive can free up space on your console. To do this, connect a USB drive to your PS4 and go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage. From there, select the game you want to transfer the save files from and select “Copy to USB Storage Device.” This will copy the save files to your USB drive, freeing up space on your PS4.
C. Stage 3 – Clearing Cache
Clearing cache can also help free up space on your PS4. There are two types of cache to clear: system cache and game cache.
To clear system cache, turn off your PS4 and unplug it from the power source for at least 30 seconds. This will reset the cache and free up space on your console.
To clear game cache, go to Settings > Storage > System Storage > Saved Data. From there, select the game you want to clear the cache for and press the Options button. Select “Delete” and then select “Delete Game.” This will delete the game and its cache from your PS4.
III. Expanding Storage Options Outside of PS4
If you have cleared as much space as possible on your PS4 but still need more storage, there are options available outside of your console.
A. Using an External Hard Drive
External hard drives are an easy and cost-effective way to expand your storage options for your PS4. You can connect an external hard drive to your console and use it to store games, applications, and other content.
When choosing an external hard drive, make sure it is compatible with your PS4. It should be a USB 3.0 hard drive with a storage capacity of at least 250GB and no larger than 8TB.
To set up an external hard drive on your PS4, go to Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices. From there, select your external hard drive and choose “Format as Extended Storage.” This will format your external hard drive to work with your PS4 and allow you to use it for storage.
B. Streaming Games from a Cloud Platform
Another option for expanding your storage options is streaming games from a cloud platform, such as PlayStation Now. This allows you to play games without downloading them to your console, freeing up space. However, it does require a stable internet connection.
There are pros and cons to this option. Pros include the ability to play a wide range of games and not having to worry about storage space. Cons include the requirement of a stable internet connection and potential lag or latency issues.
IV. Quick Tips and Hacks to Free Up Space
In addition to the above steps, there are several quick tips and hacks to free up space on your PS4.
A. Deleting Screenshots and Video Clips
Screenshots and video clips can take up a lot of space on your PS4. You can delete them by going to Settings > Storage > System Storage > Capture Gallery and selecting the screenshots and video clips you want to delete.
B. Removing Installed DLC
Installed DLC can also take up space on your PS4. You can remove it by going to Settings > Storage > System Storage > Saved Data. From there, select the game you want to remove the DLC from and press the Options button. Select “Delete” and then select “Delete Add-On.” This will remove the DLC from your PS4.
C. Disabling Notifications and Social Sharing
Notifications and social sharing can also take up space on your PS4. You can disable them by going to Settings > Notifications and unchecking the boxes for notifications and social sharing.
V. Case Study Example
Let’s say you want to install a new game on your PS4 but do not have enough space. Here is a tailored suggestion based on your situation:
A. Person Who Wants to Install a New Game
You want to install a new game on your PS4, but you do not have enough space. You have already deleted unnecessary games but still need more space.
B. Evaluation of Current Storage
You have a 500GB PS4 and have used approximately 450GB of storage. You have already deleted all unnecessary games, but your save files and game cache are taking up a significant amount of space.
C. Suggestions Tailored to Your Situation
Consider transferring your save files to a USB drive to free up space on your PS4. You can also clear your game cache by deleting games you no longer play. Finally, consider investing in an external hard drive or streaming games from a cloud platform if you need more storage in the future.
VI. Conclusion
Clearing space on your PS4 can be a hassle, but it’s necessary if you want to continue downloading and playing new games. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can free up space on your console and expand your storage options outside of your PS4. Don’t forget to take advantage of quick tips and hacks to maximize your space.
With these strategies, you can keep your PS4 running smoothly and make room for new gaming experiences.
