PS5 USB Ports explained: Which types of USB ports does the PlayStation 5 have on the front and back? Which USB port should you use for charging your DualSense controller or connecting an external hard drive?

If you've recently bought a PS5 or PS5 Digital Edition, you might currently be wondering which USB ports to use on the console for your manifold peripherals and add-ons.

After all, the console allows you to charge your PS5 controller via USB, and you can even connect a mouse and keyboard set-up if you wish. PSVR headsets and certain PS4-era flight sticks also work with the console, so competition for a USB slot could be fierce in certain households.

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Keep on reading, then, and you'll find out what Sony is saying about those USB ports, and what you should put in each one...

Which types of USB port does the PS5 have on the front and back?

Thanks to an official help page from Sony, we know that the PS5 has a USB Type-A Hi-Speed slot on the front, and a USB type-C Superspeed slot just underneath it.

Meanwhile, on the rear of the PS5, you have two USB type-A Superspeed slots.

All four USB slots share the same transfer speed of 10GB/s.

To some gamers that will mean something, and to others it will be clear as mud, so you can keep on reading if you want more info on that!

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Which PS5 USB slot should you use for charging your PS5 controller or PS4 controller?

On this matter, Sony says, "DualSense™ and DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controllers are compatible with all USB ports on your PS5 console."

So you can charge up your PS5 or PS4 controller, or play with it in wired mode, using any of the slots it'll fit in.

USB ports PS5
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Here's a handy graphic from Sony, which shows you the USB layout on the PS5.

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Which PS5 USB slot should you use for external hard drive storage?

Sony says, "USB storage should be connected to a Superspeed USB port. It is recommended that you connect PS5 extended storage to the USB Type-C port on the front of your PS5 console. The USB Type-A ports on the back of your PS5 console can also support extended storage.

"USB storage is not compatible with the USB Type-A port on the front of a PS5 console." You can refer back to the image above if you need a reminder on which port is which!

As Sony has not yet released external SSD storage that can support PS5 games, we aren't sure where this will plug into on the console. We'll update this page if/when Sony announces its SSD plans in the future!

Which PS5 USB slot should you use for HD Camera or PS Camera?

On this matter, Sony says, "HD Camera or PlayStation®Camera (with a PlayStation®Camera adaptor) should be connected to a Superspeed USB port. You can connect your HD Camera or PS Camera (with an adaptor) to the USB Type-C port on the front of your PS5 console, or one of the USB Type-A ports on the back of your PS5 console.

"Please note, HD Camera and PS Camera (with an adaptor) are not compatible with the USB Type-A port on the front of a PS5 console."

Also, it's worth remembering that you need to order an adapter if you want to use the old PS Camera from the PS4 era on a PS5.

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Which PS5 USB slot should you use for PSVR headset?

The answer to this one is short and sweet. Sony says, "You can connect your PS VR to any USB port on a PS5 console."

Which PS5 USB slot should you use for a wireless headset?

If you've got a wireless headset which uses a little dongle thingy, Sony says, "You can connect your Wireless Headset adaptor to any USB port on a PS5 console."

Which PS5 USB slot should you use for USB controllers?

If you've got a USB controller lying around which you're hoping will work on PS5, Sony says, "You can connect a supported USB speciality controller to the USB Type-A port on the front of a PS5 console, or one of the USB Type-A ports on the back of a PS5 console. Connection via the USB Type-C port on the front of a PS5 console may also be supported but is not guaranteed."

And there you have it! More info than any one person is ever likely to need about which USB ports there are on the PS5, and which things you should be plugging into them.

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