How to Set Up External Storage on Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X is known for its powerful performance and fast loading times. However, the internal storage it comes with - 1TB - can fill up quickly, especially as modern games become larger and more advanced. Some games can take up over 100GB each, and when you add apps, game updates, and saved data, the available space decreases fast. To deal with this, many Xbox users expand their storage using external devices. Setting up external storage on your Xbox Series X is a simple process and gives you the flexibility to store and manage your games more easily. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- Xbox Series X internal storage fills quickly - external drives solve this.
- USB drives store games, media, and backups; Expansion Card supports direct play.
- Setup is quick: connect, format, name, and choose default install location.
- Manage storage easily through Settings.
- Safely eject drives to prevent data loss.
Why External Storage Is Useful
Using external storage is especially helpful if you:
Play multiple games and don’t want to uninstall old ones to make space.
Want to organize your games and files more efficiently.
Share games between different consoles.
Back up your data in case of internal drive issues.
External storage also allows you to download and store games even when internal space is full. While Xbox Series X games need to run from internal or specific high-speed storage, you can still store them on an external drive and move them back when needed.
Types of External Storage You Can Use
There are two types of external storage that work with the Xbox Series X:
1. USB External Drives
These can be either portable hard drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs). To be compatible, the drive must meet these requirements:
It should have USB 3.0 or later connectivity.
It must be at least 128GB in size.
You can use these drives to store and play older games (like Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles), store media files such as screenshots and video clips, and even store - but not play - Series X|S games. If you want to play Series X|S games stored on a USB drive, you’ll have to move them back to the internal storage or an approved expansion device.
2. Seagate Storage Expansion Card
This is a specially designed external SSD made for Xbox Series X|S. It plugs directly into the dedicated port on the back of the console. Unlike USB drives, this card can run Xbox Series X|S games directly from it because it matches the speed and performance of the internal SSD. It behaves just like internal storage, meaning you can install, store, and play any game from it without needing to move it.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Set Up USB External Storage
If you're using a standard external USB drive (HDD or SSD), follow these steps:
Step 1: Connect the Drive
Start your Xbox Series X console and wait for the home screen to load. Plug your external drive into one of the USB ports available on the back or side of the console. Make sure the drive is securely connected.
Step 2: Let Xbox Recognize the Device
As soon as you connect the drive, your console will detect it automatically. Within a few seconds, a message will appear on your screen. It will let you know that a new external storage device has been found and needs to be formatted before it can be used with the console.
Step 3: Format the Drive
Select the option to format the device. Keep in mind that formatting will erase everything that’s currently stored on the external drive, so make sure you’ve backed up any important data on it beforehand.
Step 4: Name the Storage Device
Once formatting begins, the system will ask you to give your external drive a name. This step helps you easily identify the drive later when you are managing multiple storage devices.
Step 5: Choose How You Want to Use It
You will then be asked whether you want this drive to be used to install games and apps by default. If you choose “Yes,” any new game you install will go directly to this external drive unless you change the settings again. If you select “No,” the console will continue installing games on the internal drive, and you can manually move them later if needed.
Step 6: Complete the Setup
Once the drive is formatted, named, and set up, you’re ready to start using it. You can now install games, store media, or transfer games between internal and external storage.
How to Move Games Between Internal and External Drives
At any point, you may want to move games from your internal drive to the external one or vice versa. Here’s how to do that:
Go to the My Games & Apps section from your Xbox home screen.
Select See All to view your full list of installed games.
Highlight the game you want to move, then press the Menu button on your controller (the button with three horizontal lines).
Choose Manage Game and Add-ons.
Select Move or Copy, then choose the target storage device.
Pick Move if you want to free up space on the original drive, or choose Copy if you want the game to exist on both drives.
The time it takes to move the game depends on the size of the game and the type of drives you're using.
Managing Your Storage Settings
You can view and manage your storage devices anytime through the settings menu. Here’s how:
Open the Settings menu from the Xbox dashboard.
Go to System, then select Storage Devices.
All connected drives will be displayed here, including internal, external USB drives, and the Seagate Expansion Card (if connected).
From this menu, you can:
See how much space is used or available.
Format or rename your drives.
Set your default install location.
Eject an external drive safely before unplugging it.
It’s important to always eject external drives safely to avoid data loss or damage.
Important Tips and Considerations
If you're buying a new drive, go for a USB 3.0 SSD for faster transfer speeds and better performance compared to HDDs.
You can store Xbox Series X|S games on USB drives, but you can’t play them directly from there. You’ll need to move them back to internal storage or the official expansion card to play.
If you use an Expansion Card, you won’t notice any performance difference compared to internal storage. You can play games directly from it, including next-gen titles.
You can also use external storage to store music, movies, or clips if you're using your Xbox as a media center.
It’s best to keep the internal drive mostly for games that require high-speed performance, while you can use external drives for older games or backup.
Final Thoughts:
Setting up external storage on your Xbox Series X is a great way to expand your game library and avoid the hassle of deleting games to make space. Whether you use a USB drive for storing older games or the Seagate Expansion Card for running next-gen titles directly, the process is quick and simple. By following the setup steps and understanding how to move and manage your games, you can get the most out of your storage options and enjoy uninterrupted gaming without worrying about space.
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FAQs
Q. What is the point of external storage on Xbox?
A. External storage gives you extra space to store more games, apps, and media without deleting old ones.
Q. How to use external storage on Xbox Series X?
A. Plug in a USB 3.0 drive (at least 128GB), format it when prompted, and start using it to store or move games and media files.
Q. Why can't I use external storage on Xbox Series X?
A. You can use it for storage, but you can't play Series X|S games directly from USB drives; they must be played from internal or expansion storage.
Q. Is the Xbox Series X compatible with external hard drives?
A. Yes, it supports USB 3.0 external hard drives and SSDs for storing games, media, and apps.