How to Upgrade Your Hard Drive in a PlayStation 3

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Last Updated: March 17, 2025

With a few simple steps and less than a hundred dollars you can upgrade your PS3's internal hard drive to any desired capacity. Within minutes you can turn your 20, 40, or 60GB PS3 into a 120, 250, or even a 500GB+ machine for all your multimedia needs.

Steps

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2
Back up any data already stored on the PS3.
1. Plug the external USB hard drive into one of the PS3's USB ports.
2. In the Xross Media Bar go to Settings > System Settings > Backup Utility.
3. Follow the on screen directions and select "Back Up" to back up all game saves, downloads, media and game installs to the USB drive.
4. Disconnect the USB drive when backup is complete.
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Detach the plastic cover on left side of unit by inserting a small flathead screwdriver into indentation and gently pry outward.
Mine is a bit larger than the other visible screws and colored blue.
Then insert it into the PS3 and slide to the left with the little handle until it pops into place. You can then fasten it with the first screw you removed and replace the plastic cover.
9
Insert the power cable and turn the power on. You will be prompted to format the new hard drive. It will ask you if you are sure and just click yes until it begins the formatting process. Wait patiently during the formatting process. It may take several minutes. At this point, on occasion, the console may refuse to run due to the appropriate firmware not being present, simply download the firmware from the official Sony PlayStation site, save it to a USB stick in a file called UPDATE, itself in a file called PS3, and then plug the USB stick into a USB socket on the console
- Once formatted, you have completed the process and you can utilize the greater storage capacity.
10
Restore your PS3 data (saves, media, downloads etc.)
1. Reconnect the USB drive to a USB port on the PS3.
2. Go to Settings > System Settings > Backup Utility in the Xross Media bar. Select Restore from the onscreen menu.
3. All backed up material should now be restored from the external USB drive to the new hard drive you just installed.

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Tips

Generally any brand or size of 2.5" mobile hard drive will be compatible.

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If you're having problems finding a hard drive, or aren't quite sure if what you found will work, ask or search for a laptop hard drive. These generally are 2.5" drives.

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Warnings

Small screws may be prone to stripping, where the screwdriver tears the metal head of the screw, making it impossible to tighten or loosen. Support the drive firmly and use the proper size screwdriver to help avoid this problem.

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Warranty issues may arise if they discover that you replaced your hard drive. Retain the original drive so that you can reinstall it in case of a warranty claim.

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