---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-move-steam-games-to-an-external-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-move-steam-games-to-an-external-drive
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Games and virtual machines"
question: "How do I move Steam games to an external drive on a Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "steam library external drive mac"
  - "add steam library folder"
  - "move game to another drive steam"
  - "play games from external ssd mac"
  - "steam storage manager mac"
  - "install steam games on external drive"
short_answer: "In Steam's Storage settings, add the external drive as a library and move installed games to it. Use a fast APFS SSD and keep it connected while playing."
tags: ["steam", "games", "external drive"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-are-steam-games-stored-on-a-mac", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/ssd-or-hard-drive-for-external-storage"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I move Steam games to an external drive on a Mac?

Steam supports more than one library location. In Steam's **Storage** settings, add your external drive as a new library, then select an installed game and use the option to move it there. New games can be installed straight to that drive too.

Use a fast SSD formatted as APFS or Mac OS Extended, and keep it connected while you play — Steam shows games on a missing drive as uninstalled until it returns. Load times depend on the drive and connection; a USB-C or Thunderbolt SSD is the sensible choice. More on choosing one: [external SSD vs hard drive](https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/ssd-or-hard-drive-for-external-storage).