IMPORTANT: This page has information regarding USB hard disk drives (HDD) that are compatible with specific BRAVIA TVs. Please check the Applicable Products of this article.
A USB HDD that can be used with some BRAVIA TVs must meet the following conditions. However, even though it may meet these conditions, Sony does not guarantee that it will operate. Use a USB HDD at your own risk.
Choose your TV model type:
Note: For your TV model type, refer to the How to check if your BRAVIA TV is a Google TV™, Android TV™, or other TV article.
Exclusion models:
- 2025 models: BRAVIA 8 II (XR80M2), BRAVIA 5 (XR50), BRAVIA 3 (S30), BRAVIA 2 II (S20M2)
- 2024 models: BRAVIA 9 (XR90), BRAVIA 8 (XR80), BRAVIA 7 (XR70), BRAVIA 3 (S30), BRAVIA 2 (S20), W8x5_W8x6 series
- 2023 models: A95L, W8L, X64L, X70L, X74L, X75L, and X77L series
- 2020 to 2022 models: X74H, X75H, W8, X7, W8K, X74K, and X75K series
IMPORTANT for Australia & New Zealand Only: Google TV and Android TV models released in 2018 and later, are not compatible with USB HDD recording.
Supported file system and maximum drive size:
File System
before connecting | Max hard disk drive size for playback
(Video/Photo/Music) | Max hard disk drive size for recording (*1) | Max hard disk drive size for storage (*2) |
|---|
| FAT16 | 2GB | Not supported | 2GB |
|---|
| FAT32 | 2TB (*3) | 4TB (*4) | 256GB |
|---|
| exFat | 16TB | 4TB (*4) | 256GB |
|---|
| NTFS | 16TB | 4TB (*4) | 256GB |
|---|
- *1: The USB HDD must be registered to the Google TV or Android TV for recording (to be formatted for recording).
- *2: The USB HDD must be registered to the Google TV or Android TV as device storage (to be formatted for storage). This function is available in Android™ 6.0 or later.
- For Android 6.0, use a USB HDD that is 256 GB or smaller.
- For Android 7.0 or later, you can use a USB HDD that is 256 GB or larger, but the usable capacity is restricted to 256 GB.
- *3: The maximum size of a content file that can be saved in the USB HDD is restricted to 4 GB.
- *4: A USB HDD up to 16 TB can be connected, but the usable capacity is restricted to 4 TB.
Notes:
- Some USB HDDs cannot be used for recording purposes. Example: USB HDDs with capacities that are too small (less than 32 GB) cannot be used for recording purposes.
- There are some USB HDDs where both message notifications (toast indication) and connection screens are not displayed when the HDDs are connected to a TV. In this case, in general, the TV can recognize the USB HDD by connecting it to a computer with the NTFS format. Here are some examples of USB HDDs that can cause this issue:
- Unformatted HDD
- Format unrecognized by Android (e.g. A format other than FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, or exFAT).
- Part of the HDD is broken.
USB port type and maximum power output:
- RPM: No condition
- Read/Write speed: No condition
- USB port types and maximum output (current):
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 port: 900 mA MAX. The port is blue.
- USB 2.0 port: 500 mA MAX or 800 mA MAX. For the maximum output of each port, refer to the labels at the back of the TV or the manual.
Note: When recording, connect to the port labeled HDD REC.
Note: If a USB HDD is not recognized or cannot be registered even when it is connected, refer to the Cannot recognize or register the USB HDD for recording article.
Supported file system and maximum drive size:
File System
before connecting |
|---|
Max hard disk drive size for playback
(Video/Photo/Music) | Max hard disk drive size for storage (*1) |
|---|
| FAT16 | 2GB | 2GB |
|---|
| FAT32 | 2TB (*2) | 256GB |
|---|
| exFat | 16TB | 256GB |
|---|
| NTFS | 16TB | 256GB |
|---|
- *1: The USB HDD must be registered to the Google TV or Android TV (to be formatted for storage). This function is available in Android 6.0 or later.
- For Android 6.0, use a USB HDD that is 256 GB or smaller.
- For Android 7.0 or later, you can use a USB HDD that is 256 GB or larger, but the usable capacity is restricted to 256 GB.
- *2: The maximum size of a content file that can be saved in the USB HDD is restricted to 4 GB.
Note: There are some USB HDDs where both message notifications (toast indication) and connection screens are not displayed when the HDDs are connected to a TV. In this case, in general, the TV can recognize the USB HDD by connecting it to a computer with the NTFS format. Here are some examples of USB HDDs that can cause this issue:
- Unformatted HDD
- Format unrecognized by Android (e.g. A format other than FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, or exFAT).
- Part of the HDD is broken.
USB port type and maximum power output:
- RPM: No condition
- Read/Write speed: No condition
- USB port types and maximum output (current):
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 port: 900 mA MAX. The port is blue.
- USB 2.0 port: 500 mA MAX
| USB port type | Max. power output (current) | Port label example | Port image |
|---|
| USB 3.1 Gen 1 | 900 mA MAX |  |  |
|---|
| USB 2.0 | 500 mA MAX |  |  |
|---|
Interface:
USB3.2 Gen 1, USB3.1 Gen 1, USB3.0, USB 2.0
Supported file system and maximum drive size:
| Usage | Max capacity | File system |
|---|
| For media playback | FAT32: 2TB
exFAT: 32TB
NTFS: 32TB | FAT32
exFAT
NTFS |
|---|
| For device storage (*2) | 16TB | - |
|---|
- *1: The USB HDD must be registered to the Google TV for recording (and formatted for recording).
- *2: The USB HDD must be registered to the Google TV as device storage (and formatted for storage).
- *3: Larger size of USB HDD is also available, but guaranteed up to 4TB.
Notes:
- There are some USB HDDs where both message notifications (toast indication) and connection screens are not displayed when the HDDs are connected to a TV. In this case, in general, the TV can recognize the USB HDD by connecting it to a computer with the NTFS format. Here are some examples of USB HDDs that can cause this issue:
- Unformatted HDD
- Format unrecognized by Android™ (e.g. A format other than FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, or exFAT).
- Part of the HDD is broken.
- USB SSD is also available but has no guarantee of functionality.
Interface:
USB3.2 Gen 1, USB3.1 Gen 1, USB3.0, USB 2.0, USB 1.1, USB 1.0
Supported file system and maximum drive size:
| Usage | Max capacity | File system |
|---|
| For media playback | FAT32: 2TB
exFAT: 32TB
NTFS: 32TB | FAT32
exFAT
NTFS |
|---|
| For device storage (*1) | 16TB | - |
|---|
- *1: The USB HDD must be registered to the Google TV as device storage (and formatted for storage).
Notes:
- There are some USB HDDs where both message notifications (toast indication) and connection screens are not displayed when the HDDs are connected to a TV. In this case, in general, the TV can recognize the USB HDD by connecting it to a computer with the NTFS format. Here are some examples of USB HDDs that can cause this issue:
- Unformatted HDD
- Format unrecognized by Android (e.g. A format other than FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, or exFAT).
- Part of the HDD is broken.
- USB SSD is also available but has no guarantee of functionality.
Supported file system and maximum drive size:
File System
before connecting | Max hard disk drive size for playback
(Video/Photo/Music) | Max hard disk drive size for storage (*1)(*2) |
|---|
| FAT32 | 2TB (*3) | 256GB |
|---|
| NTFS | 16TB | Not supported |
|---|
- *1: This function is not available for the X74H_X75H series.
- *2: The USB HDD must be registered to the Google TV or Android TV as device storage (to be formatted for storage). You can use a USB HDD that is 256 GB or larger, but the usable capacity is restricted to 256 GB.
- *3: The maximum size of a content file that can be saved in the USB HDD is restricted to 4 GB.
- USB Interface/Version: USB 2.0
- Maximum output (current) of the TV USB port: 500mA
- RPM: No condition
- Read/Write speed: No condition
Supported file systems and maximum drive size:
| File system before connecting | Support | Max hard disk drive size |
|---|
| FAT16 | Not supported | - |
|---|
| FAT32 (*1) | Supported | 2 TB |
|---|
| exFAT | Supported | 16 TB |
|---|
| NTFS | Supported | 16 TB |
|---|
- *1: The maximum size per file in a USB HDD is limited to 4 GB.
- RPM: No condition
- Read/Write speed: No condition
- USB Interface/Version: USB 2.0
- USB HDD Power: AC Power supplied USB HDD is recommended.
- The maximum output current of the TV USB port: 500 mA
Use an external USB HDD that requires a maximum of 500 mA. If it exceeds this power requirement, the TV may not be able to supply the necessary power for proper operation.
Note: To record to an external USB HDD device, it should be connected to the USB port for recording via a USB cable. Terminals and labels may vary depending on the country, region, and TV model.
