Partition Recovery™
An expert tool for recovering lost partitions
An expert tool for recovering lost partitions

Want to update your PS4 SSD? Find out how to do it safely

partition recovery

In this article you will find out:

  • how to update your SSD
  • how to protect your data

Are you ready? Let's read!

partition recovery

The 5400 RPM solid-state drive (SSD) that comes with the PS4 and PS 4 Pro is incredibly slow, and loading a game can feel like an eternity. You can of course replace the drive itself; however, you will have to first back up all your data, reinstall the PS4 operating system on a new drive, and then restore the data.

To do this, you will need one (or maybe two) USB drives and additional time to upgrade your SSD. Then disk loading will become at least 10-20 seconds faster.

1. Protect your game progress

This operation may result in the loss of valuable game files. If important data is lost as a result of the PS4 SSD upgrade, you can use DiskInternals Partition Recovery to recover the missing files. To do this, remove the SSD from the PS4 and connect it as an external hard drive to your computer and then launch the data recovery application.

The application works by a deep scanning of each partition of the disk; in addition, it scans the file system and converts it if necessary. Recovery and preview are available in both the free version and the paid licensed version. The paid version lets you save recovered data to another device, and you will be provided with technical support 24 hours a day throughout the year in difficult cases.

And here's how to use DiskInternals Partition Recovery:

Once you install Partition Recovery on your computer, plug in your external hard drive and open the app.

Run the Recovery Wizard to help you choose the right drive and the right file formats to search for.

Next comes scanning: simple or deep. You can also use the read function to simply scan the contents of the disk.

Once the results appear on your screen, launch the free preview by right-clicking on the file and choosing Preview.

Further actions (i.e., data export to another medium) can be performed only after purchasing a license directly on the website.

2. Change drive

Replacing and removing the hard drive is slightly different on different PS4 versions:

  • In the original PlayStation 4, slide the glossy panel at the top of the device to the left until it is completely removed. Remove the screw closest to you on the left, then pull the hard drive cage toward you and remove the four screws holding the drive in place. You can now remove the drive and replace it with an SSD.
  • When you eject a disk from a PS4 Slim, turn the device over. Note the black piece of plastic on the right; push and slide it to the right to remove. Then remove the large screw at the bottom. Using black tape, slide out the drive cage. Remove the four screws holding the drive in place and remove the drive. It can now be swapped out for an SSD.
  • On PS4 Pro, also rotate the device and find the hard drive cover. Find the notch on the side and use your finger to open it. Remove the screw underneath and slide out the hard drive cage, then remove the four screws holding the drive in place. Now remove the hard drive and replace it with an SSD.

Before you turn on the SSD, you will need to go to the computer.

3. You need new software

First, connect a second, optional USB drive to your computer. Go to Explorer and right-click on the drive and select "Format" with the FAT32 file system. Next, create a folder on the disk named “PS4”, and inside this folder, create another folder named “UPDATE”.

Then go to the Sony website and find the complete PS4™ system software file there. Select the "Accept the terms and download the full software" link and save the file in the appropriate, newly created UPDATE folder. The file must be named “PS4UPDATE.PUP”.

Now, plug in the USB stick safely and return to the PS4. Connect the controller using a USB cable, then press and hold the power button until you hear a second beep; you are now in safe mode. Select the “Initialize PS4” option and press X. Now is the time to insert the USB drive with the update file and press OK on the screen. On the screen, click “Next” to install the PS4 software on your new fast drive. After the update is complete, your PS4 will reboot and you will see the initial setup screen.

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