How to expand your console storage ahead of GTA 6 - Big Tech and the digital economy

GTA 6 could require more than 200GB of storage, according to reports. External drives and expansion cards can help Xbox and PlayStation owners prepare, although their functionality varies by console.

GTA 6 is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, after more than 13 years since the release of its predecessor. Reports cited by t3n, including coverage from Yahoo Tech, suggest that the game’s download could exceed 200GB. Rockstar Games has not officially confirmed the size.

The reported requirement could quickly put pressure on console storage. PlayStation and Xbox systems often offer around 1TB of internal storage, while the Xbox Series S has 512GB. The usable capacity is lower because part of the drive is reserved for the operating system and other system functions. For comparison, Red Dead Redemption 2 requires around 125GB.

External storage can help users archive games and free space, but the options work differently depending on the console. On PlayStation 5, PS5 games cannot be played directly from an external USB drive because the required speeds are not available. Games must be moved back to the console’s internal storage before they can be played, making an external drive primarily useful as an archive.

The Xbox Series X and Series S also do not support playing current-generation games directly from a standard external drive or SSD. However, an expansion card developed with Xbox is designed to match the performance of the internal SSD, allowing games to run directly from it. The card offers a stated transfer rate of 3,000 megabytes per second and connects to the dedicated port on the back of the console. Seagate offers versions with 1TB or 2TB, with prices on Amazon starting at €282.99.

Seagate’s Game Drive is another option for PlayStation 5 owners. The 2.5-inch external drive connects through USB 3.0 and is available with 2TB or 5TB of capacity. It can store games that are not currently being played, avoiding the need to download them again. The 2TB PlayStation version is listed on Amazon at €150.99.

A corresponding Game Drive for Xbox is available in 2TB, 8TB and 20TB capacities, with prices starting at €128.99. Like the PlayStation version, it is intended to provide additional space for storing games rather than replacing the console’s internal storage for current-generation gameplay.

SanDisk also sells an externally connected SSD officially licensed for PlayStation 5. The 2.5-inch drive offers up to 1,000 megabytes per second, according to the manufacturer, and is designed to transfer games from the external archive to the PS5’s internal storage. It has an IP65 rating and is described as resistant to falls from heights of up to three metres. Capacity options include 1TB and 2TB, with Amazon prices starting at €200.99. The article notes that the drive was recently available from €179, so waiting could be worthwhile.

Sources: t3n.