How to Format External Hard Drive for Xbox Series S

If you own an Xbox Series S, you might be wondering how to expand your storage capacity by using an external hard drive. Whether you want to format external hard drive for Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, or any other Xbox console, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step. We’ll also cover how to move games to an external drive and answer some frequently asked questions to ensure you have all the information you need.

Why Format an External Hard Drive for Xbox Series S?

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand why formatting is necessary. The Xbox Series S requires external storage devices to be formatted in a specific file system to ensure compatibility. It uses the exFAT file format for the Game Drive for Xbox, and NTFS for USB flash drives and external storage devices.

✨ How to Choose an External Hard Drive for Xbox Series S?

If you already own an external drive with Xbox One games, you’re in luck. Your existing external drive is fully compatible with the new consoles. Simply plug it into your Xbox Series X or S, and it will work seamlessly. This compatibility applies to USB 3.1 drives that were previously used with your Xbox One. You can continue playing your Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games directly from the external drive without any issues.

You can play Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games from a regular USB 3.1 drive, but only the Seagate expansion drive lets you play Xbox Series X|S games.

2 Ways for how to format external hard drive for Xbox Series S

Now, let’s see which way is better for you to format external hard drive.

Way 1. Add an external drive to an Xbox Series S

Step 1. Turn on your Xbox Series X or S. Plug an external HDD or SSD into one of the USB ports. If the console recognizes your drive, the message seen in the following step will appear on the screen.

Step 2. Select FORMAT STORAGE DEVICE.

Step 3. Name your drive, and select the arrow icon or press the menu button to continue.

Step 4. Select KEEP CURRENT LOCATION > FORMAT STORAGE DEVICE.

Step 5. Your new drive is now available for use.

Way 2. Try third-party disk tool to format external hard drive for Xbox Series S

User case: Can’t format external hard drive for Xbox Series S
I have acquired a new external hard drive for my Xbox; however, I am unable to format it. I attempted to access my PC and format the hard disk using both NTFS and exFAT file systems. The NTFS format resulted in the hard disk being identified solely as "Music & Video," with no further formatting options available. Conversely, the exFAT format rendered the disk completely unrecognizable. I have already restarted my console. Additionally, I have attempted to utilize various USB ports; however, this does not appear to be the issue.

If you choose to use PC to format your external hard drive, and Windows tools are not helpful, then, you can try AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard, a free disk and drive manager for Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7 computer. This disk formatter supports FAT32, NTFS, EXT2, EXT3, EXT4, and exFAT file systems. You can flexibly change file system on your disk. Also, this tool carries other handy functions like wipe/delete partitions, you can quickly set your external hard drive for your Xbox Series S.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

Tip: We suggest you wipe all partition on your external hard drive at first.

Step 1. Download, install and run the software. Right click the USB flash drive and select “Format Partition”.

Step 2. Select the FAT32 in the File System menu and click on “OK”.

Step 3. Back to the main interface, click on “Apply” to commit the pending operation.

Bonus tips: How to Move Games to an External Drive on Xbox Series S

Once your external hard drive is formatted, you can start moving games to it. Here’s how:

1. Connect the External Drive: Plug the formatted external hard drive into your Xbox Series S.

2. Open My Games & Apps: Navigate to the "My Games & Apps" section on your Xbox dashboard.

3. Select a Game: Highlight the game you want to move and press the "Menu" button on your controller.

4. Choose Manage Game & Add-ons: Select "Manage Game & Add-ons," then "Move or Copy."

5. Move to External Drive: Select your external hard drive as the destination and confirm the move.

Conclusion

Learning how to format external hard drive for Xbox Series S is essential for expanding your console’s storage capacity. Whether you choose to format directly on the console or use a Windows computer with tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant, the process is straightforward. Once formatted, you can easily move games to your external drive and enjoy a seamless gaming experience.