It's not mentioned in the beta's changelog, but it seems that PlayStation 4 firmware update v2.50 may allow you to back up your hard drive to an external device. A picture floating around on various forums shows an off-screen photograph of the procedure, which will allow you to move all of your applications to another place.
This will, of course, come in handy should you decide to switch out the hard drive inside your system, as you won't be forced to download hundreds of gigabytes of data in one go. It could also come in useful if you demand extra peace of mind that all of your console's content is safe. We should get the official line on this soon, as the update seems imminent.
[source neogaf.com]
Comments 18
So if I'm reading this correct, you can't play your games off the external HDD? Meh, I guess it's better than nothing. I suppose I could just keep it attached and move the games I'm not playing to the HDD when installing new games.
I'm set with my internal 1TB, but this will come in handy should something go wrong with the hardware. I hope this does make the cut.
I still have about a TB of the 2TB drive I installed, but this would help for any future HDD swaps. Took a while to redownload everything.
This will be more than welcome if true. I'm at the point where I can't download anything without deleting something else, so external storage is perfect.
Why not just allow us to use external drives like the XB1 and Wii U? I don't get it....
I already switched the 500gb internal for a 2TB,.......but I would rather just get a larger external and never have to worry about opening the PS4 up again, or just space in general.
Good at last
@Sir_JBizzle No i think its like the PS3 Backup Utility, it allows you to make a system file that can be restored if the PS4 internal HDD gets corrupt and deletes everything or if you want to put in a new HDD like a 2TB like me.... and when i say that i mean
IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS I NEED THIS ADDED
I have a 2TB just sitting around waiting for this feature so i can upgrade my PS4 Internal HDD.
@Alpha Ahhh gotcha! I was hoping for a plug and go sort of solution, being that I'm gonna run out of space as most of my collection is digital. Looks like I'll just have pony up for an internal HDD as well. Do you have any size/brand suggestions?
Sony is finally listening! my gawd I hope the wait is worth it
External HDD support, FINALLY..
Now we just need a proper way to organize everything in the UI instead of how it currently is, they just threw in a crappy way to organize our games without any thought.
@Bigdoggy It's not External HDD support, it's just a system backup option.
@sub12 i agree,i think i speak for everyone when i say we want to be able to just install games on a usb hdd and play them via said usb hdd.Sony is just being silly about it as far as i can tell.Whats the problem,their techy's dont know how to implement it? tsch.
Sounds great to me, was dreading when I had to re- download all my games when my new HDD arrives.
@special_donkey I'm not a tech expect, But I think it will be much easier to hack the system to run pirated game if they allow running game from external harddisk...
@whywai88
Even Nintendo has external HD support and they are notoriously paranoic about piracy I find unnaceptable that Sony does not has external HD support...... its a major advantage the Xbone has over the PS4 and Sony may lose market share if they don't address this
@whywai88 i'm no expert either,but i guess with ms and nintendo you have to first format your hdd - then it won't work on a computer until its formatted again with pc compatible file system?(fat 32 ect) Mdunno,i guess pirating seems like a potential issue, but seeing as ms and nintendo's consoles have this feature,surely robust anti piracy is do-able.
@Sir_JBizzle I used the UK equivalent of this http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Expansion-STBX2000401-2-5-Inch-Portable/dp/B00ILALU9G/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Cheaper than a bare drive on Amazon UK. I just prised open the caddy, took out the drive and installed it in the PS4. It was actually a Samsung Spinpoint drive inside. I put the old 500GB drive back in the caddy so it's usuable elsewhere once I format it. Then I thought I'd better keep the old drive safe until my PS4 warranty has expired in case it has to go back in to be returned if a fault develops.
@Sir_JBizzle Sorry it took a bit but yes i do have a suggestion. i Suggest a Seagate 2.5inch Laptop HDD in an enclosure i.e. External Hard Drive, they usually are a bit cheaper than just the Hard Drive by itself i noticed... from where i am at at least. and the biggest size the best. but all i could find is a 2TB, if i could id put a 5TB in the thing lol. However Nyko has made an add on to use Desktop HDD's in your PS4. PushSquare made an article about the add on device. Link will be at the bottom.
There are three different types of HDD's, Standard Disk Drives, Hybrid Drives, and Solid State Drives. A Hybrid Drive is a mixture of the two, its also not as expensive as a a Solid State Drive and is generally found with bigger sizes as well, however a regular HDD can guy quite big. PushSquare also did an article on performance rates of these in the form of an embedded video as well, link will be included as well.
The Hard Drive specs should be 5400RPM, and 2.5Inch as well.
Hope this helps!
Links:
Nyko PS4 HDD Add-on
https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2015/01/nykos_nifty_ps4_data_bank_will_solve_your_storage_woes
HDD, SSD, HHD Comparission
https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2013/11/you_can_substantially_speed_up_your_ps4_by_swapping_in_a_new_hard_drive
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