Can I install and play GTA VI from an external drive?
Use the console’s internal SSD, a compatible PS5 M.2 SSD or an Xbox Series X|S Storage Expansion Card to play.
You can store GTA VI on an external USB drive, but you cannot play it from one.
On PS5, games run from the internal SSD or from an M.2 SSD fitted in the console’s expansion slot. PlayStation says that drive must be a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD between 250 GB and 8 TB with a heatsink, and it is formatted on first use. A USB drive only works as a place to park games. It needs SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or faster, 250 GB to 8 TB, and a direct connection without a hub.
On Xbox, GTA VI is listed as optimized for Series X|S. Those games run from the internal SSD or a Storage Expansion Card, which matches the internal speed. A USB drive can hold them for later transfer.
To move a game back on PS5:
- Open your Game Library and the Installed tab.
- Highlight the game, press Options and choose Copy.
Sources
- https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5-extended-storage/
- https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5-install-m2-ssd/
- https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/09/24/xbox-series-x-and-xbox-series-s-custom-storage-solution-primer/
- https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/game/9nl3wwnzlzzn