Forum Discussion

Rising Veteran

1 day ago

Solved

Detect Game External SSD?

I have to spend more than 6 hours re downloading an entire game on the EA app, if I want to play it on a different computer. I have installed it on my external USB SSD, but on the new computer, it ...

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EA_Leeuw
17 hours ago
Hey,

What you’re trying to do should work in theory, but the EA app doesn’t currently have a reliable “detect existing installation” feature like some other launchers. It relies on its own install records, not just the files sitting in the folder -- so copying the game alone often isn’t enough for it to recognise it.

The method you tried is the right idea, but it only works if everything lines up exactly. A couple of things to double-check:

Make sure the install location in the EA app is set to the external SSD before starting the download

Let the download start so the app creates the correct folder and install data

Fully close the EA app (including background processes) before copying files

Copy the game files directly into the exact folder the app created (no extra nested folders)

Ensure the drive letter for the external SSD is the same as on the original PC, if possible

When it works, the app should switch to verifying files instead of downloading. If it immediately continues downloading, it means the app hasn’t recognised the install data, and unfortunately, it will redownload.

At the moment, there isn’t a fully reliable way to move installs between PCs without triggering a download, especially on external drives. I know that’s not ideal given the download size, but your workaround is still the closest option available right now.

Thanks for sticking with it.

EA_Leeuw

Community Manager

17 hours ago

Hey,

What you’re trying to do should work in theory, but the EA app doesn’t currently have a reliable “detect existing installation” feature like some other launchers. It relies on its own install records, not just the files sitting in the folder -- so copying the game alone often isn’t enough for it to recognise it.

The method you tried is the right idea, but it only works if everything lines up exactly. A couple of things to double-check:

Make sure the install location in the EA app is set to the external SSD before starting the download
Let the download start so the app creates the correct folder and install data
Fully close the EA app (including background processes) before copying files
Copy the game files directly into the exact folder the app created (no extra nested folders)
Ensure the drive letter for the external SSD is the same as on the original PC, if possible

When it works, the app should switch to verifying files instead of downloading. If it immediately continues downloading, it means the app hasn’t recognised the install data, and unfortunately, it will redownload.

At the moment, there isn’t a fully reliable way to move installs between PCs without triggering a download, especially on external drives. I know that’s not ideal given the download size, but your workaround is still the closest option available right now.

Thanks for sticking with it.