Pairing a PS5 Disc Drive means updating to the latest FW version and connecting to PSN, so it’s good to have an understanding of how this system works. This information is my attempt at trying to understand this system from various internet sources as well as DrYenYen from the PS5 Research & Development discord.
Temrinology:
Reset from settings: Home Screen->Settings->System->System Software->Reset Options->Reset Your Console
Reset from safe mode: Safe mode startup->Reset PS5. Sony docs.
Reinstalling OS: Safe mode startup->Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software).
Restoring a backup: Home Screen->Settings->Backup & Restore->System->System Software->Back Up and Restore->Restore->Restore Your PS5. Sony docs.
Updating from safe mode: Safe mode startup->Update System Software. Sony docs.
The drive is internal and soldered into the console. It is therefore factory paired permantly.
Paired OTB? Yes.
Stays paired after reset from settings? Yes.
Stays paired after reset from safe mode? Yes.
Stays paired after reinstalling os? Yes.
Stays paired after updating from safe mode? Yes.
Stays paired after restoring a backup? Yes.
The PS5 Slim Disc Edition is basically a PS5 Slim Digital Edition with the detachable disc drive attached at the time of manufacture, and sold to you as a complete package. Depending on which FW originally came on the Slim, it is either factory paired or was manually paired at some point if used.
Paired OTB? NO.
Stays paired after reset from settings? NO.
Stays paired after reset from safe mode? NO.
Stays paired after reinstalling os? NO.
Stays paired after updating from safe mode? Inconclusive, not enough data.
Stays paired after restoring a backup? Yes.
Paired OTB? YES.
Stays paired after reset from settings? YES.
Stays paired after reset from safe mode? YES.
Stays paired after reinstalling os? NO.
Stays paired after updating from safe mode? Inconclusive, not enough data.
Stays paired after restoring a backup? Yes.
These consoles are not shipped with any disc drive, and so they require manual PSN pairing on the latest FW at the time when you do attach one to them. Same rules as a PS5 Disc Edition Slim that was OTB on FW 7.x.
Paired OTB? NO.
Stays paired after reset from settings? NO.
Stays paired after reset from safe mode? NO.
Stays paired after reinstalling os? NO.
Stays paired after updating from safe mode? Inconclusive, not enough data.
Stays paired after restoring a backup? Yes.