[GH-ISSUE #1524] [Feature]: Download game to External Drive #940

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opened 2026-03-03 19:02:22 +03:00 by kerem · 3 comments

kerem commented

2026-03-03 19:02:22 +03:00

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Originally created by @HayesWang on GitHub (Jun 22, 2024).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/PlayCover/PlayCover/issues/1524

Many users have limited internal storage space on their devices. Currently, the game can only be installed on the internal hard drive, which can lead to storage issues and prevent some users from installing or updating the game.

Describe the solution you'd like

I suggest adding functionality to allow the game to be installed on an external hard drive. This would provide users with more flexibility and help manage their storage more efficiently.

Anything else?

thx

Issue Language

Yes my issue is written in English

Originally created by @HayesWang on GitHub (Jun 22, 2024). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/PlayCover/PlayCover/issues/1524 ### Is your feature request related to a problem? Many users have limited internal storage space on their devices. Currently, the game can only be installed on the internal hard drive, which can lead to storage issues and prevent some users from installing or updating the game. ### Describe the solution you'd like I suggest adding functionality to allow the game to be installed on an external hard drive. This would provide users with more flexibility and help manage their storage more efficiently. ### Anything else? thx ### Issue Language - [X] Yes my issue is written in English

kerem

2026-03-03 19:02:22 +03:00

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kerem commented

2026-03-03 19:02:23 +03:00

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@MEMORIEmusic commented on GitHub (Jun 27, 2024):

Games installed on internal SSD can be symlinked onto an external SSD.

@MEMORIEmusic commented on GitHub (Jun 27, 2024): Games installed on internal SSD can be symlinked onto an external SSD.

kerem commented

2026-03-03 19:02:24 +03:00

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@YBHPG commented on GitHub (Jun 28, 2024):

Games installed on internal SSD can be symlinked onto an external SSD.

How does this work? As I understand from googling, for the game to be on an external drive and be available for apps as if it was on an internal drive, I have to symlink the external version to an internal location. Do I miss something in this process?

Also I tried to do the describes process, copying the game files to an external SSD and creating a symlink for it in the Library/Containers folder. After rebooting the game just didn't want to launch. And it was able to start again after copying the game folder to the original location without symlink.

@YBHPG commented on GitHub (Jun 28, 2024): > Games installed on internal SSD can be symlinked onto an external SSD. How does this work? As I understand from googling, for the game to be on an external drive and be available for apps as if it was on an internal drive, I have to symlink the _external_ version to an _internal_ location. Do I miss something in this process? Also I tried to do the describes process, copying the game files to an external SSD and creating a symlink for it in the Library/Containers folder. After rebooting the game just didn't want to launch. And it was able to start again after copying the game folder to the original location without symlink.

kerem commented

2026-03-03 19:02:24 +03:00

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@TheMoonThatRises commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2024):

The only part of the game that can be moved to an external drive is the app itself. But most of the app's data is in it's container, and that location cannot be changed. Check this discussion https://github.com/PlayCover/PlayCover/discussions/473.

@TheMoonThatRises commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2024): The only part of the game that can be moved to an external drive is the app itself. But most of the app's data is in it's container, and that location cannot be changed. Check this discussion https://github.com/PlayCover/PlayCover/discussions/473.