How to Expand Memory Card Space on a PSP

The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld gaming device that uses optical discs for its video games. While discs have much more storage capacity than traditional cartridges, the PSP can't save your games data or other media to them, so you need an additional storage option. That's where the Sony Memory Stick comes in. You're able to save your game data, music, movies and photos onto the Memory Stick and view them on your PSP. If you run out of memory and need to expand it, there are plenty of card upgrades you can look into.

Step 1

Find out how large your Memory Stick is. It should be written on the stick itself. If you have a Standard Memory Stick, it could be 32 to 128 MB, and if you have a Memory Stick PRO it should be 256 MB to 4 GB. The Memory Stick Micro for the PSPgo ranges from 256 MB to 16 GB.

Step 2

Decide what larger Memory Stick you'd like to buy and then purchase it. You should consider how much data you've already used and how much more you'd like to have available. The Sony Store (listed in "Resources") sells Memory Sticks and you can also find them at many retailers. You can even use the smaller versions of Memory Sticks, including the Memory Stick Micro; you'll just need an adapter unless you're using a PSPgo.

Step 3

Turn off your PSP.

Step 4

Open the Memory Stick slot cover on the PSP's left-hand side. You just need to pull it back and out to get it open.

Step 5

Press on the card and then release to remove it.

Step 6

Insert your new Memory Stick into the card slot on the PSP, pressing it firmly in until it clicks into place. Close the card slot cover.

Step 7

Format the Memory Stick. You'll need to turn on the PSP and navigate to "Settings" on the far left of the menu bar and then click "System Settings" and then "Format Memory Stick." After the format is complete, you're done.

Tip

• If you're not ready to spring for a new Memory Stick, look into deleting some old files you don't need anymore. You can check under the "Photo," "Music" and "Video" options in the main menu and delete items you don't need anymore.
• You may want to download and install Sony Media Go on your computer and then use that to back up your save files on your original card. You can then sync those with your new card so you don't lose your progress in all your games.

References

• PlayStation PSP Manual: Format Memory Stick
• PlayStation Knowledge Center: How Do I remove (eject) a Memory Stick Media from a PSPgo system / PSP Portable Entertainment System?
• PlayStation Knowledge Center: How Do I Insert Memory Stick Media into a PSPgo System / PSP Portable Entertainment System?
• Sony eSupport: Memory Stick Media Compatibility Information for Sony PlayStation Products

Resources

• Sony: Memory Stick Storage Media
• Sony: Media Go: Download

About the Author

A self-professed nerd who can't get enough of geeky gadgets, technology blogs and product reviews, Matt Skaggs began writing professionally in 2010. His work has appeared on various websites. In 2008 Skaggs graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Arts in humanities.

Photo Credits

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