How to copy PS5 screenshots and 4K video clips to a USB drive
Whether you just pulled off a logic-defying stunt in Grand Theft Auto VI or want to showcase the stunning PSSR-enhanced visuals of a blockbuster, your captures deserve better than the compressed, "good enough" quality of a phone upload. The PlayStation App is convenient, but it caps your quality and deletes your files after 14 days.
To get your raw, high-bitrate 4K files onto a PC or Mac for proper editing or long-term storage, you need a USB drive. While the PS5 makes this process relatively painless, there are a few "traps"ālike using the wrong USB port or the wrong file formatāthat can turn a 2-minute transfer into a 20-minute headache.
Is your PS5 refusing to share your memories?
- 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 high-speed thumb drive and letās get those files onto the big screen.
ā ļø 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 (exFAT is mandatory)
A single 4K clip can easily exceed 5GB. This means the old "FAT32" format won't work because 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 easily identify it in the console menu.
Step 2: Use the high-speed ports
Not all PS5 ports are created equal. 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: On most PS5 models, the standard "rectangular" USB-A port on the front is "Hi-Speed" (basically 20-year-old tech). It will work, but itās significantly slower for 4K video.
Step 3: Copying from the Media Gallery
Copy one file
- Navigate 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
- Navigate to your Media Gallery from the Games home screen.
- Click the Select Multiple icon (the two squares with a checkmark) on the far left.
- Check all the clips and photos you want.
- Click the three dots (...) in the bottom right corner.
- Select Copy to USB Drive.
š” Tip: If you are moving a massive library (100GB+), go to Settings > System > Power Saving and temporarily set your Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode to Don't Put in Rest Modes. If the console sleeps, the transfer will cancel!
Where to find your files on PC or Mac
Once you plug the drive into your computer, don't panic if you don't see your files immediately. The PS5 creates a specific folder path to keep things organized:
Your USB Drive > PS5 > CREATE > Video Clips (or Screenshots)
Your videos will be organized into folders by game title, making it easy to find that specific Spiderman or God of War clip.
Related:
How to format a USB drive for the PS5 (step-by-step)
How to turn off PS5 trophy videos & screenshots (save space)
How to play USB media on PS5: Movies, music & photos
References:
https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-transfer-screenshots-and-videos-from-your-ps5/
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/