Can GTA 6 run from an external SSD?
Not over USB, on either console. On PS5 an M.2 SSD works, and on Xbox a Storage Expansion Card works. Official
| Drive | Store GTA VI? | Play GTA VI? | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 built-in storage | Yes | Yes | - |
| PS5 M.2 SSD (inside the console) | Yes | Yes | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, 250 GB to 8 TB, 5,500 MB/s read recommended, cooling required |
| PS5 USB extended storage | Yes, moved there | No | USB 5 Gbps or faster, 250 GB to 8 TB, plugged straight into the console |
| Xbox internal SSD | Yes | Yes | - |
| Xbox Storage Expansion Card | Yes | Yes | 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB; Microsoft says it performs the same as the internal SSD |
| Xbox USB drive | Yes, moved there | No | USB 3.0 or later, 128 GB or more |
General rules from Sony and Microsoft. Official Sony's rule covers every PS5 game. Microsoft's covers games optimized for Series X|S, which its catalogue data says GTA VI is.
Watch out on Xbox
With install location set to Let Xbox decide, Microsoft says a game may go on a slower drive if that is the only one with enough room. Set the internal drive or Expansion Card yourself under Settings > System > Storage devices > Change install locations, and make room there first.
The cheaper trick
Buying a USB drive will not run GTA VI, but it can hold your other games while GTA VI uses the fast storage. See how to free up space.
Fitting an M.2 drive
Do this well before 10 November. Sony says to update the system software first, and to use a drive with a heatsink or add one. Sony's page names PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition and gives steps by model number, so check yours against its guide.
Questions
Can I preload GTA 6 onto a USB drive?
Sony describes a direct install option only for PS4 games. On Xbox a game can land on USB, but you would have to move it back before you could play. Whether GTA VI's pre-load behaves differently is unconfirmed. Unconfirmed
Will an M.2 drive or Expansion Card make GTA 6 run worse?
Microsoft says the Expansion Card performs the same as the internal SSD. Official Sony sets a recommended speed of 5,500 MB/s for M.2 drives. Official
Keep reading
Delete, move or park games without losing them
What is left on each PS5 and Xbox model
PS5, Xbox and code in box, with the settings to change first
Sources: PlayStation: USB extended storage, PlayStation: M.2 SSD for PS5, PlayStation: manage PS5 storage, Xbox: manage storage, Xbox: Storage Expansion Card, Microsoft Store catalogue data, US market.
Last updated 2026-11-05. Tags mark what is official, reported or unconfirmed. Spotted an error? Email us.