How to Connect Your PSP to Your Computer

Check out the different ways you can connect your PSP to your PC (with or without a mini USB cable)

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Memory Stick

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

Do you want to connect your PlayStation Portable (PSP) to your computer, but you're not sure how? By following a few easy steps, you'll be able to move photos, music, and games from your computer to your PSP, or back up your game files to your computer.

Things You Should Know

Insert the 5-pin end of a mini USB cable into your PSP. Then, plug the larger, rectangular portion of the cord into your computer.
Finalize the USB cable connection by going to the "USB Connection" section of the "Settings" menu.
Alternatively, remove the Memory Stick from your PSP and insert it into a compatible USB reader. Then, plug the USB reader into your computer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Mini USB Cable

1
Connect the Mini-B (5 pin) USB cable to the port of the PSP.^{[1]
X
Research source} This is the same type of cord you use to connect controllers to the PlayStation 3, but your PSP should come with its own.
- The port for the Mini USB cord is on the top of the PSP for models 1000-3000.
2
Plug the larger end of the USB cable into a USB port on your computer. Turn on your computer and the PSP if they are not already turned on.^{[2]
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Research source}

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3
Locate the "Settings" menu on your PSP and select 'USB Connection." On the PSP's main menu (know as XMB [Cross Menu Bar]) select left-most menu, the "Settings" column. Then move down to the 2nd top-most option, "USB Connection."^{[3]
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Research source}
- Press the accept [X] button.
4
Manage your PSP data on your computer. You can download Sony's MediaGo application onto your computer to manage your installed games and other media, as well as purchase and download stuff from the PlayStation Store.
- Your computer will automatically charge your PSP 2000/3000.
- You can use your computer's file browser to navigate to the now connected PSP and explore around there to manage the files manually.
- Put music in the music folder on your PSP, pictures in the pictures folder, and so on.
- You can also back up your game saves by finding them in the save data folder.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Memory Stick

1
Remove the Memory Stick media from the PSP system. The memory stick is housed in a slot on the bottom left edge of the PSP.
- Open the slot using your fingernail or a flat object (like a coin) to catch the notch in the slot cover and pull it out.
- Remove the memory stick from the slot.
2
Connect a Memory Stick USB reader to a USB port on your computer. One end of this cable has a USB plug, the other end has a slot that will fit the Memory stick.
- Depending on the size of your memory card, you'll may need either a A Memory Stick Duo Adaptor or a Memory Stick Micro (M2) Adaptor to use the USB reader.^{[4]
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- Check your PC--it may have a slot for the memory card and you may not need a USB reader.^{[5]
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3
Insert the Memory Stick into the slot on the USB Reader. Your computer should recognize the Memory Stick, allowing you to transfer files to or from the drive.

Community Q&A

Question

Sometimes my PSP is in USB mode, but my computer doesn't realize it's connected. Can you help?

Community Answer

Check your plug-in cord. If it's not broken, check the plug-in port on your PC; if that's OK, check the plug-in port on your PSP.
Question

Can I access the memory stick through connecting the PSP with a USB, thereby eliminating the need for a memory card reader?

Devon Schmaus-Student

Community Answer

Yep, and it's much cheaper, too! You can also charge the PSP while files are being transferred in USB mode by turning on USB charge in the system settings.
Question

My PSP says it's connected, but I can't download anything. What could be the problem?

Community Answer

Try reconnecting the PSP. If it doesn't work, then check your PC. If not, buy a new USB cable. It could also be because your PC just doesn't download what you are trying to download.