Xbox storage expansion for GTA 6: cards, USB drives and the rules

Xbox Series X|S has two kinds of extra storage, and only one of them can run GTA 6. What each option does, which cards exist, and when a plain USB drive is the better buy.

Check your console

The one rule that matters

What each type of storage can do on Xbox Series X|S.
OptionPlays GTA 6?Stores Series X|S games?Best for
Storage expansion card (Seagate, WD_BLACK C50)Yes, at full speedYesSeries X and Series S
USB 3.1 external SSDOnly Xbox One and older titlesYes, Series X|S games includedCold storage, fast copy-back
USB 3.1 external HDDOnly Xbox One and older titlesYes, Series X|S games includedCheapest per TB, slower copy-back

Expansion cards

Both cards plug into the slot on the back of the console and are ready immediately. They run at the same speed as the internal drive, so a game plays the same from either.

Seagate

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S

The first licensed card, released in 2020. It plugs into the rear slot and runs games as fast as the internal drive.

Capacities
512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
Install
Plug and play
Check price

Western Digital

WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card for Xbox

Licensed by Microsoft like the Seagate card, with the same speed and the same capacities.

Capacities
512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
Install
Plug and play
Check price

On a 512 GB Series S, where 364 GB is usable and GTA 6 needs about 209 GB, a 1 TB card adds more space than the console has and is the size to start with. On a Series X, a 1 TB card extends a library, and a 2 TB card suits people who keep many large games installed at once.

Only two companies make licensed cards, so you cannot shop around the way you can for a PS5 SSD. If a card costs more than you want to spend, a USB drive solves the problem for the games you are not playing right now.

USB drives: cold storage that beats re-downloading

Any USB 3.1 drive of 128 GB or more works. Series X|S games copy to it and back, which is much faster than downloading 100 GB again.

Various

Any USB 3.1 external SSD or HDD (128 GB or larger)

For the games you are not playing. Move them here so GTA 6 fits on the internal SSD, and copy them back later instead of downloading them again.

Capacities
1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB
Install
Plug and play
Check price

How to use it

  1. Plug the drive in and choose "Format for games & apps" when asked.
  2. My games & apps › select a game › Manage game and add-ons › Move all › pick the USB drive.
  3. Install GTA 6 to the internal SSD or the card.
  4. To play a parked game again, move it back the same way. Copying takes minutes from an SSD and longer from a hard drive.