How to Upgrade Xbox Series X/S Storage [Ultimate Guideline]
Regarding gaming, storage plays an important role, and unlike PC setup, consoles come with limited storage space. Storage becomes an issue with these consoles as you keep downloading new games. The updates take up space, and so do the new generation games which offer the best quality. Thankfully, with Xbox Series X/S, storage can be upgraded. Microsoft has allowed users to add or replace hard drives with higher-capacity drives. In this article, Qiling will provide step-by-step instructions and expert recommendations to simplify the process.
How to Upgrade Xbox Series X/S Storage
In this part, you will learn how to upgrade Xbox Series X/S Storage by upgrading the Xbox Series X/S SSD or adding an Xbox expansion card/external storage device. Make sure to pick up storage size based on your requirements.
We will display a comparison table so that you can get comprehensive information about the two upgrading methods:
| ⏱️Duration | 2-8 Minutes |
| 💻Goal | Upgrade Xbox Series X/S Storage |
| 🧰Preparation | Xbox Series X/S console, an Xbox Expansion Card, or a 512GB/1 TB/2 TB SSD |
| 🔒Difficulty |
✔️[Easy]Upgrade the Xbox Series X/S SSD: easy with the help of Qiling Disk Master. ✔️[Easy] Additional Storage Option: plug-and-play, although pricy. |
| 🛠️Methods |
Way 1. Upgrade the Xbox Series X/S SSD
The once-for-all and relatively cheaper way to expand your Xbox's storage is to replace its hard drive with a higher-capacity SSD. In this scenario, we recommend using Qiling Disk Master, which simplifies the cloneing process with the "Disk Clone" feature.
Upgrade storage by cloning to a better SSD that can carry every piece of information, which can get started instantly and can be plugged into another system. When replacing an existing storage of an Xbox console with a new one, you can clone and instantly start playing.
Before starting, refer to the guide below to install and initialize the additional external hard drive:
🚩Read More: How to Install and Upgrade Xbox Hard Drive
Here is how you can clone the used storage of your Xbox to a higher device with Qiling Disk Master:
Step 1. Select the source disk.
- Go to the "Tools" tab, click "Clone OS Disk" or "Click Data Disk". And then click "Next" to continue.
- Select the source disk that you want to copy or clone. Then, select "Next".
Step 2. Select the target disk.
- Choose the wanted HDD/SSD as your destination and click "Next" to continue.
- Check the warning message and click "Yes" to confirm.
Step 3. Select clone mode.
You can select "Autofit the disk", "Clone as the source" to customize your disk layout.
Step 4. Click "Proceed" to start cloning process.
After cloning, you should install the new SSD on the Xbox, download the offline update file from Microsoft on a USB flash, and then plug it into the console to perform an offline system upgrade. You can refer to the official guide from Xbox Support.
Noble Features:
Besides SSD cloning, Qiling Disk Master boasts features like partitioning, formatting, and merging your SSD's data.
- It can run SSD performance tests and modify SSD to improve it.
- Check SSD for errors: scan and locate bad sectors that slow down the drive.
- SSD Maintenance: Qiling Disk Master can offer multiple supports for maintaining performance and extending SSD's lifespan.
We highly recommend giving this tool a shot.
Way 2. Use an Additional Storage Option
Another way is to add extra storage by using an additional storage device. There are three primary devices to upgrade your Xbox Series X/S storage: an Xbox Expansion Card, an External Hard Drive (SSD/HDD), and a USB Flash Drive.
Add an Xbox Expansion Card:
The Storage Expansion Card for Xbox X and Xbox S is Microsoft-certified storage for the console. It matches the internal storage speed and lets you move games to the card. The console also offers a dedicated slot for the expansion card.
It is the easiest way to add storage to the Xbox. The console comes with a dedicated storage expansion port. The card will instantly be added to the console once you plug in the card. You can plug in a card or compatible SSD, which should work as expected.
Add an External Hard Drive or USB
When picking up an external hard drive or USB, you must ensure that the read-write speed matches the internal storage or is at par. It is best to pick up SSD hardware, not anything else.
These devices can also be included, except that you must format them and choose what you plan to do with the console.
Step 1. Turn on your console and the controller.
Step 2. Plug the SSD or USB to one of the USB ports of the console
Step 3. An option should appear on the console asking how you want to use it—media or Games and apps.
Step 4. Click on the Format button to store games. The console will format the drive and make it part of it.
Step 5. You can also choose it as the default storage space to save games.
However, some OEMs or game developers do not allow games to be moved to external drives. They can be played through the expansion card or internal storage.
Both of the above methods can significantly upgrade your Xbox series X/S storage, and you can share this useful on your social media platforms:
Why Should I Upgrade Xbox Series X/S Storage
So, why should you consider upgrading your Xbox Series X/S storage? The answer is simple. More storage means more games and smoother gameplay.
Larger Game Installations: As video games' graphical fidelity and complexity increase, so does their storage footprint. Modern games often take up tens of gigabytes, with some AAA titles exceeding 100GB. The Xbox Series X, with a 1TB SSD, and the Series S, with a 512GB SSD, can only hold a limited number of these giant games. Upgrading your storage allows you to install more games and be ready to play anytime.
Optimized Performance: The Xbox Series X/S consoles are designed to take advantage of Microsoft's Xbox Velocity Architecture, a technology that significantly enhances game load times, asset streaming, and game switching. However, games must be installed on the internal SSD or a proprietary expansion card to reap these benefits. Expanding your storage with a compatible device will ensure that all your games benefit from this technology.
Save Management: Upgrading your storage can give you more flexibility with game save data and installations. You won't need to juggle games, constantly uninstalling and reinstalling based on what you're currently playing.
Next-Gen Games: Xbox Series X/S-specific games are designed to use the consoles' SSD technology for improved performance. Having these games on an external HDD won't allow for the same level of performance.
Media Storage: If you use your Xbox Series X/S as a media center, downloading movies, music, and other media, additional storage will allow you to store more media files.
Conclusion
The Xbox Series X/S gaming systems were introduced with a notable enhancement in storage technology compared to their forerunners. These gaming systems have bespoke PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid-state drives (SSDs), signifying a substantial departure from the slower hard disk drives (HDDs) in previous gaming consoles. The Xbox Series X includes a 1TB SSD, while the Xbox Series S has a 512GB SSD.
Upgrading your Xbox Series X/S isn't as complicated as it may seem. Whether you use an additional storage option or upgrade your SSD, you can drastically improve your gaming experience. Furthermore, tools like Qiling Disk Master make the process simpler and worth trying.
FAQs About Upgrade Xbox Series X/S Storage
You may still have some questions about upgrading your Xbox Series X/S storage. Below are answers to some of the most common ones:
1. Can you upgrade the Xbox One storage?
Yes, it is possible to upgrade in multiple ways. You can upgrade the Xbox One storage by adding an external hard drive or replacing the internal HDD. You can use the official Seagate storage or any other that offers higher read and write speed. And you can test Xbox One SSD performance regularly to maintain high-speed operation.
2. How do I add more storage to my Xbox?
You can add more storage to your Xbox by plugging in a compatible external hard drive, SSD, USB, or an Xbox Expansion Card. However, if you want to move games, it is only possible when you use the expansion card or internal storage.
3. What storage is best for the Xbox Series S?
The best storage for the Xbox Series S is a high-speed SSD or the official Xbox Expansion Card for optimal performance. You can add up to 2 TB of expansion card; since Microsoft approves it, it ensures you get the best performance. However, an external HDD can also be used for less demanding storage.
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