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ivun3's avatar
ivun3
Rising Veteran
2 days 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 doesn't detect the game, even if I set the installation folder to the external ssd ea folder.

I tried to name my game folder to "backup". Then I start a fresh download via EA app. I pause it and close EA entirely. I transfer my game files to the new EA app created folder. And then start EA. And redownload it and hope it detect the files, but no... it does the same thing. it ignores the files in the folder, and just redownloads everything.

In the past there was a repair function, but even that is gone now. And I recall that repair took a long time aswell.

Is there any way at all to not have to spent more than 6 hours to download a game every time I want to play my EA app games on a different computer?

 

Thanks

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  • EA_Leeuw's avatar
    EA_Leeuw
    1 day 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.

1 Reply

  • EA_Leeuw's avatar
    EA_Leeuw
    Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager
    1 day 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.

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