How to copy PlayStation 5 screenshots and 4K videos to a USB drive
Want to copy PS5 screenshots or 4K video clips to a USB drive? Here's how to batch-transfer your captures in full quality, fix formatting errors, and use the 10Gbps ports.
The PlayStation App is convenient, but it caps video at 1080p and deletes your files after 14 days. A USB drive is the only way to get the full 4K file off the console.
Is your PlayStation 5 refusing to copy your captures?
- Want to copy videos larger than 4GB to a USB drive?
- Trying to move 4K video clips without losing that "Pro" clarity?
- USB drive plugged in but the console says "No USB drive connected"?
- Need to move hundreds of captures at once to free up SSD space?
- Wondering where your files went once you plugged the drive into your PC?
Grab a USB drive and let's get your files off the console.
The "Extended Storage" trap: You cannot use the same drive you use for storing PS5 games to copy your screenshots. The PS5 encrypts "Extended Storage" drives for games only. You must use a standard USB drive (or a second partition) formatted to exFAT.
Step 1: Prep your USB drive (use exFAT)
A single 4K clip can easily exceed 5GB. The old FAT32 format won't work. It can't handle files that large.
- Plug your USB drive into a computer and format it to exFAT.
- Tip: Give your drive a name like "PS5_MEDIA" during formatting so you can find it in the console menu.
Step 2: Use the high-speed ports
The PS5 has two types of USB ports, and they're not the same speed. To avoid waiting an hour for a batch transfer, you need the 10Gbps ports.
- The best choice: Use the USB-C port on the front or the USB-A ports on the back.
- The port to avoid: The front Hi-Speed port (USB-A on the original PS5, one of the USB-C ports on the Slim/Pro) is USB 2.0. It will work, but it's much slower for 4K video.
Step 3: Copying from the Media Gallery
Copy one file
- Go to your Media Gallery from the Games home screen.
- Highlight the video or screenshot.
- Press the Options button on your controller.
- Select Copy to USB Drive.
Copy multiple files at once
- Go to your Media Gallery from the Games home screen.
- Select the Select Multiple icon (the two squares with a checkmark) on the far left.
- Check all the clips and photos you want.
- Select the three dots (...) in the bottom right corner.
- Select Copy to USB Drive.
Tip: If you're moving a big library (100GB+), go to Settings > System > Power Saving and temporarily set Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode to Don't Put in Rest Mode. If the console sleeps, the transfer stops.
Where to find your files on PC or Mac
Once you plug the drive in, your files won't be in the root folder. The PS5 nests them:
Your USB Drive > PS5 > CREATE > Video Clips (or Screenshots)
Videos are sorted into folders by game title. Your Spiderman clip is in the Spiderman folder.
Related:
How to format a USB drive for your PS5
How to turn off automatic PS5 trophy videos & screenshots
How to play USB media on PS5: Movies, music & photos
References:
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/games/ps5-media-gallery-view-screenshots/
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5-usb-ports-guide/