Delete a game directly from your PS4 console

The fastest way to remove a game is through your PS4's storage menu. Go to Settings, then Storage, then System Storage, then Applications. Find the game you want to delete, press the Options button on your controller (the button with three horizontal lines), and select Delete. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

This method deletes the game files from your console but keeps your save data intact. If you reinstall the game later, your progress will still be there. The deletion takes a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the game size.

Key Takeaways

  • You can delete any PS4 game through Settings > Storage > System Storage > Applications without losing your save files.
  • Deleting a game frees up storage space on your console but does not remove your progress or trophies.
  • You can reinstall any game you own from your library at any time, even after deletion.
  • If you share your console with other users, deleting a game removes it for everyone on that PS4.

Delete a game from your library instead of the console

If you want to hide a game from your library without deleting the files from your console, you can remove it from your library view instead. Go to your Library, find the game, press Options, and select Remove from Library. This hides the game from your list but does not free up storage space.

This approach is useful if you own a game digitally but do not want it showing up in your collection. You can add it back to your library later by visiting the PlayStation Store, finding the game in your purchase history, and selecting it again.

Reinstall a game you deleted

After you delete a game, you can reinstall it from your library whenever you want. Go to your Library, search for the game by name, and select Download. The game will begin reinstalling to your console. You do not need to purchase it again if you own it digitally.

Reinstalling takes time depending on your internet speed and the game size. Most games range from 20 to 100 gigabytes, so a full reinstall can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours on a standard connection. Your save data will be waiting for you once the download finishes.

Free up storage space before deleting

Before you delete games, check how much storage space you actually have left. Go to Settings, then Storage, then System Storage to see your total available space. The PS4 has either 500 gigabytes or 1 terabyte of storage depending on your model, but the operating system takes up roughly 100 gigabytes on either version.

If your storage is nearly full, your console will slow down and games may fail to install or update. Deleting games you no longer play is the simplest way to reclaim space. You can also delete old game updates and captured screenshots or video clips, but removing full games frees up the most space.

What happens to your save data when you delete a game

Your save files stay on your console even after you delete the game itself. When you reinstall the game later, your progress, trophies, and achievements will all be there. The save data is stored separately from the game files, so deleting one does not affect the other.

If you want to delete your save data as well, you must do that separately through Settings > System Storage > Save Data. Find the game, press Options, and select Delete. This is permanent and cannot be undone, so only do this if you want to start the game completely fresh.

Delete games on a shared PS4

If multiple people use your PS4, deleting a game removes it for everyone on that console. The person who owns the game license can reinstall it, but it will not be available to other users until it is reinstalled. Save data for each user account remains separate, so deleting a game does not affect anyone's progress.

If you want to prevent other users from seeing a game without deleting it, you can restrict access through parental controls instead. Go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management and set restrictions by game rating. This hides restricted games from certain accounts without removing the files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting a game remove my save files?

No. Your save data stays on your PS4 even after you delete the game. When you reinstall the game, your progress and trophies will be exactly where you left them. Save files are stored separately from game files.

Can I delete a game that is currently updating?

You should wait for the update to finish before deleting. If you delete a game while it is updating, the update will stop and the game files will be removed. You can then reinstall the game fresh, but you will need to download the full game and any updates again.

How much storage space does deleting a game free up?

The amount varies by game. Most PS4 games range from 20 to 100 gigabytes. Check the game's size in your storage menu before deleting to see exactly how much space you will recover. Larger games like Call of Duty or Final Fantasy XV can take up 150 gigabytes or more.

What if I delete a game by accident?

You can reinstall it immediately from your library. Go to your Library, find the game, and select Download. There is no recovery process needed — the game will simply download again as if you had deleted it intentionally.