The only way to play Xbox Series X|S games directly from expanded storage, now with 4TB of space.
The Seagate 4TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is the latest and largest capacity officially licensed storage add-on for Microsoft’s current-gen consoles. Aimed at players with larger game libraries and little interest in offloading or uninstalling content, this add-on offers internal-level performance in a plug-and-play form factor.
The 4TB model joins the existing 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB options (building on the same design and experience we covered in our previous review of the 1TB version) and gives gamers an easy way to increase their storage without the compromises of USB-based drives.
Performance-wise, the Seagate 4TB Storage Expansion Card is designed to work seamlessly with the Xbox Series X|S internal SSD thanks to its compatibility with Microsoft’s proprietary Xbox Velocity Architecture. This means you can run Series X|S optimized titles directly from the card with the same speed, features, and responsiveness as the internal SSD. No other external option allows this, making Seagate’s licensed Expansion Cards the only true plug-and-play solution for current-gen Xbox gaming, setting itself apart from standard USB-based external drives.
Seagate does not publish raw sequential throughput figures, but the card enables all core platform features (like Quick Resume and fast level loading) just as the internal drive does. Due to its deep integration with the Xbox system software, the Expansion Card is uniquely capable of running Series X| S-optimized titles directly, a feature that USB-based external drives cannot achieve.
Beyond Series X|S titles, the expansion card also offers improved performance for backward-compatible games. Seagate indicates that legacy Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One titles will benefit from the NVMe speeds. This expansion card boasts reduced loading times and improved asset streaming compared to its original hardware. For gamers who move between systems, the card is hot-swappable and portable.
Backed by a 3-year warranty and one month of Game Pass Ultimate, the 4TB model goes for a pricey $499.99. This certainly is a premium investment, particularly when compared to general-purpose NVMe drives. However, for Xbox players seeking set-it-and-forget-it storage that delivers native-level performance without the storage management overhead, it’s the only option.
Seagate 4TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| Capacity | 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Interface | Xbox Velocity Architecture, PCIe Gen4 NVMe (proprietary connector) |
| Compatibility | Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S |
| Use Cases | Play and store Series X|S optimized games, legacy titles, and media |
| Quick Resume Support | Yes, full compatibility |
| Performance | Designed to match internal Xbox Series X|S SSD (actual speeds not published) |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 0.346 in x 1.244 in x 2.084 in (8.8mm x 31.6mm x 52.95mm) |
| Weight | 0.057 lb (0.026 kg) |
| Operating Temperature | 5°C to 35°C |
| Cache | 128MB |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
| What’s in the Box | Seagate Expansion Card, Protective Cover, Quick Start Guide |
| Price (at launch) | $499.99 USD |
Seagate 4TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S Design and Build
The Seagate 4TB Storage Expansion Card keeps the same compact, low-profile design as its smaller siblings, slotting neatly into the proprietary expansion port on the back of either Xbox Series X or S. About the size of a chunky USB flash drive, it blends in with the console’s design and requires no formatting or setup: just plug it in and it’s ready to go. The CFexpress-style connector (complete with a sliding contact cover) makes it portable and durable enough to toss in a bag without worry.
Seagate 4TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S Management
The Seagate 4TB Storage Expansion Card comes pre-formatted for Xbox Series X|S, so it’s ready to go right out of the box. Once inserted, the system instantly recognizes it as additional storage and provides you with the option to configure it for use with a single console or across multiple systems. This is ideal if you plan to carry it between devices.
From there, you can manage it just like internal storage. The Xbox interface allows you to browse all content stored on the card, set it as the default location for new installations, or move and copy games between the card and the internal SSD. You can also rename or reformat the drive, uninstall titles, or set the card as the capture location for screenshots and video clips. It’s a seamless, plug-and-play experience meant for convenience.
As you can see below, the console’s “Manage Storage Devices” screen shows both the internal SSD and the installed Seagate Expansion Card. The system treats the expansion card as native storage, offering the same formatting and installation options as standard storage. It also includes helpful device management tools and reiterates Xbox’s requirements for USB drives, emphasizing that only this proprietary card can be used for directly launching Series X|S titles.
Here, we are moving multiple large games from the internal SSD to the Seagate Expansion Card. You can manually select and migrate titles between storage devices, making it very easy to integrate the Seagate card into your console’s storage management system.
You can also view the installation queue for the game that is currently being moved. “Descenders” is transferring at a speed of 5.18 Gbps, or approximately 518MB/s, which demonstrates the internal NVMe-level performance of the Seagate Expansion Card. This shows that the card is capable of handling fast data transfers.
Conclusion
The Seagate 4TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S delivers precisely what it promises: massive capacity and deep integration with Microsoft’s next-gen console architecture. For gamers who want to keep their entire library installed and ready to launch, this card offers the most convenient and console-native solution. It functions like internal storage, requires no setup, and fully supports features like Quick Resume, DirectStorage, and fast load times.
It is also worth noting that while there are other external storage options, only these officially licensed Expansion Cards enable players to run Series X| S-optimized games directly. Standard USB SSDs and hard drives can store games, but they cannot launch the latest titles without transferring them back to the internal drive. For anyone who wants plug-and-play expansion with full performance and no compromises, the Seagate Expansion Card remains the only real choice. At $500, the 4TB model is a pricey upgrade, but it gives players who are willing to invest the room they need to grow large game libraries without the hassle of constant file management, and it works seamlessly as if it were built into the console itself.
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