How to Prepare for GTA 6's Storage Requirements on PS5

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Written by: King Mika

Here’s how to prepare without overspending

If you've been searching for Grand Theft Auto VI storage requirements, you've probably noticed one problem: nobody has a definitive answer. Rockstar hasn't published an official install size, and everything circulating online is still speculation. We won't repeat those rumors here. A made-up number is worse than no number at all, especially if it convinces you to buy hardware you don't need or leaves you scrambling for space on launch day.

Instead, let's focus on what you can do now to prepare for a range of possible storage requirements, without spending a fortune. That's especially important because storage prices can make upgrades expensive.

Consider the 2TB Samsung 990 Pro with a heatsink, a popular option for PS5 expansion. At $669.99 as of this writing,[1] it's a serious investment. But an expensive M.2 SSD isn't your only option, and for many players, it isn't the smartest place to start.

1. Free Up Space on Your PS5 for $0

Before buying anything, see how much room you can reclaim from your existing storage. For many players, a quick cleanup will be enough to make room for another large game.

Audit your library. Open your Game Library and look for games you haven't played in months. Two or three forgotten downloads can take up a surprising amount of space. Delete what you're no longer playing; you can redownload purchased games when you want them again.

Check for old PS4 installs. If you've upgraded to PS5 versions of games but still have older PS4 versions installed, check whether you can remove the ones you no longer need. There's no reason to let redundant installations occupy valuable space.

Clear out captures. Screenshots and video clips accumulate quietly, especially if you regularly record gameplay. Move the files you want to keep to a USB drive or upload them using a supported service, then delete the local copies you no longer need.

Trim unnecessary game content. Some games let you remove optional components, such as multiplayer modes or language packs, without uninstalling the entire game. Check each game's storage or content-management options to see what's available.

Rotate your games instead of hoarding them. Keep the titles you're actively playing installed and let the rest wait. A sprawling open-world game like GTA 6 could occupy your attention for weeks. There's little reason to keep every other game installed while you play it.

2. Use an External Hard Drive as Cheap Storage

If deleting games isn't enough, an external USB hard drive is one of the most affordable ways to expand your storage capacity. There's one important catch, though: you can store PS5 games on an external USB drive, but you can't play them directly from it.

To play a PS5 game, you'll need to move it back to the console's internal storage or to a compatible M.2 SSD installed in the expansion slot. PS4 games, by contrast, can be played directly from external USB storage.

That makes an external drive best suited to one job: acting as a parking lot for games you're not currently playing.

Have a few massive PS5 titles you don't plan to revisit anytime soon? Move them to the external drive and reclaim that internal space immediately. When you're ready to play them again, transfer them back. Depending on your internet connection, this can be much more convenient than downloading them all over again.

You also don't need a particularly fast external drive for this purpose. Because PS5 games must be transferred back to internal storage or an M.2 SSD before you can play them, paying extra for high external-drive speeds generally isn't necessary.

For example, the Seagate 5TB Game Drive officially licensed for PS5 consoles is listed at $219.99 as of this writing. That's a substantial amount of storage for considerably less than the price of the 2TB Samsung SSD.

Just remember that an external drive is an archive, not a way to expand the space available for games you're actively playing. Check your console's storage settings after transferring games to confirm where they're stored.

3. If You Need an Internal SSD, Buy the Right One

For players who regularly juggle several large games, an internal M.2 SSD can be a worthwhile upgrade. It gives you additional space for PS5 games you want to play without constantly moving them between drives.

But don't assume you need to spend $669.99 to get a good one.

Consider 1TB before paying for 2TB. A 1TB SSD can provide meaningful breathing room for less money, particularly if you already use external storage to archive games. Think about how many titles you realistically keep installed at once before paying for extra capacity.

Check the specifications, not just the brand. Sony recommends a PCI-Express Gen4x4 supported M.2 NVMe SSD (Key M) with sequential read speeds of 5,500MB/s or faster. The drive must also meet Sony's physical requirements, including the appropriate heatsink, whether it's built in or installed separately. Check Sony's official compatibility guidance before buying, and compare recent reviews and prices rather than relying on a familiar name.[2]

Compare the total cost. A drive's advertised price isn't always the full price you'll pay. If it doesn't include a compatible heatsink, factor in the cost of adding one. Less expensive brands can offer suitable performance, but verify the exact model's specifications and compatibility before purchasing.

For example, I use a WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD officially licensed for PS5 consoles. It offers sequential read speeds of up to 7,300MB/s and includes a heatsink. At the prices available when I checked, it cost roughly one-third as much as the 2TB Samsung 990 Pro mentioned earlier.

It's a good reminder that you don't necessarily need the biggest or most expensive drive to get a useful upgrade.

The Bottom Line: Don't Buy Storage Based on a Rumor

Until Rockstar announces GTA 6's official install size, there's no reason to rush into an expensive storage upgrade based on an unverified number.

Start by freeing up space on your PS5. If that's not enough, use an inexpensive external hard drive to archive games you're not playing. And if you need more room for your active library, compare compatible M.2 SSDs before committing to a premium model.

The goal isn't to predict exactly how much space GTA 6 will require. It's to make sure you're ready without spending more than you need to. Your existing storage, a little housekeeping, and a sensible upgrade plan may be all it takes.

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