What kind of Memory Stick can I use with my Sony PSP?

I’m confused. Can I use my older Memory Stick Duo devices with my Sony PSP, or do I need to go and buy new Memory Stick PRO Duos?

I’m also a bit confused by the many different names of Sony memory devices, actually. According to the Sony PSP manual, all of the following types of memory sticks will work with the device:

Memory Stick Duo
MagicGate Memory Stick Duo
Memory Stick Duo (MagicGate / High Speed data-transfer compatible)
Memory Stick PRO Duo

Sony generally talks about the “Memory Stick”, but it encompasses all four of those formats.
Oh, and did I mention that they’re different sizes too?
Here’s a picture that shows the Memory Stick PRO Duo from Sony and the Memory Stick adapter so you can get a sense of the relative sizes:

Wondering about what MagicGate is all about? It turns out it’s a copy protection mechanism. Here’s what Wikipedia says about it:
“MagicGate is a copy-protection technology introduced by Sony in 1999 as part of the SDMI. It works by encrypting the content on the device and using MagicGate chips in both the storage device and reader to enforce control over how files are copied.”
Having said all that, I still recommend you stick with Memory Stick PRO Duo devices are explicitly indicate that they’re Sony PSP compatible. I have heard of some reports of problems with devices that weren’t specifically indicated to be PSP compatible…
Hope that helps clear things up!

13 comments on “What kind of Memory Stick can I use with my Sony PSP?”

Lu says:

July 23, 2018 at 7:38 am

Pardon me asking… Does it specifically have to be a duo? and micro sd cards?

You just can’t go and use a high quality standard SD card?

Seems a lot of fuss for a games console [hides from gaming aficionados]

clint says:

August 26, 2012 at 1:08 am

I bought a sandisk 2x16gb micro sdhc card set and a duo adaptor. Not really knowing if it would work with my psp 1000. Mine is a release model, it formatted perfectly in the psp and even all my psn psone classic downloads boot perfectly. Try ebay and make sure you have the current 6.xx firmware. No hacks no changes.Its working perfectly for me.

shay says:

January 13, 2012 at 10:56 pm

i have a micro sd adaptor and it wont work what do i do

Kris says:

July 1, 2011 at 8:07 am

I have bought a psp 1003 and running software 5.00. I bought a lexar 8gb memory stick pro duo but the psp wont read it. I have tried to format it but keeps saying ” no memory card inserted” can anyone please help

Drakiz says:

June 20, 2011 at 4:04 pm

i was just wondering if it has to be a sony magic gate memory card or can i use another type of memory card?

seth says:

March 6, 2011 at 10:53 am

hey dave, i have a sandisk (magicgate) 4gb memory stick pro duo and my psp or computer will read it. whats wrong?

C.T. says:

November 27, 2010 at 12:44 am

Hi Dave,
Ok I understand that the memory stick has to be Pro Duo and by Magic Gate. Well I went out and got another stick that is by Lexar it is a Pro Duo as well with mark2 labeled on it and Magic Gate. But the problem with this is that my psp won’t read it so I can’t format or put anything on it. Is this not compatible with sony psp or do the company name does not matter?