H1 How to Uninstall Games on PS4: A Comprehensive GuideH1
So, you’re running out of space on your PlayStation 4? It’s a common problem! Those massive game downloads can quickly fill up your hard drive, leaving you with no room for new titles, updates, or even save data. The good news is that uninstalling games on your PS4 is a straightforward process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps, offer tips for managing your storage, and answer frequently asked questions.
BHow to Uninstall Games Directly from the PS4 Home ScreenB
This is the most common and arguably the easiest way to remove games from your PS4. Here’s how:
1. BTurn on your PS4 and navigate to the home screen.B Ensure you are logged into your PlayStation Network account.
2. BFind the game you want to uninstall.B You can scroll through your games library on the home screen (the main screen with all your games lined up).
3. BHover over the game icon.B Don’t click on the game to launch it; simply select it so it’s highlighted.
4. BPress the Options button on your DualShock 4 controller.B This button is usually located to the right of the touchpad.
5. BA menu will appear on the right side of the screen. Select “Delete” from the options.B Be careful not to select “Close Application” by mistake, as this will only close the game if it is running.
6. BA confirmation message will appear, asking if you are sure you want to delete the game. Select “OK” to confirm.B Read the message carefully to make sure you are deleting the correct game. Deleting a game will remove it from your system, but your save data *should* be preserved (we’ll discuss save data later).
7. BWait for the game to uninstall.B The time it takes will depend on the size of the game. You can monitor the progress on the home screen. The game icon will disappear once the process is complete.
BHow to Uninstall Games from the System Storage Management MenuB
This method is useful if you want to see a list of all installed games and their storage usage. It allows for a more organized approach to uninstalling multiple games.
1. BGo to the PS4’s Settings menu.B From the home screen, scroll all the way to the right until you find the “Settings” icon (it looks like a toolbox).
2. BSelect “Storage.”B This option will show you a breakdown of your hard drive usage.
3. BSelect “System Storage.”B If you have an external storage device connected, you’ll also see an option for that. Make sure you select “System Storage” to manage the internal hard drive.
4. BSelect “Applications.”B This will display a list of all the applications installed on your PS4, including games.
5. BSort by Size (Optional).B Press the Options button on your controller. You can sort the list by name, size, or installation date. Sorting by size is helpful to identify the largest games taking up the most space.
6. BSelect the game you want to uninstall.B Scroll through the list and choose the game you want to remove.
7. BA screen will appear showing the game’s size and other information. Select “Delete.”B
8. BYou can select multiple games to delete at once.B Put a checkmark next to each game you want to uninstall.
9. BSelect “Delete” again to confirm your selection.B
10. BWait for the games to uninstall.B The progress will be displayed on the screen.
BManaging Save DataB
Before uninstalling a game, it’s crucial to understand how save data works on the PS4. You don’t want to lose your progress!
* BSave data is typically stored separately from the game installation.B This means that uninstalling a game *usually* doesn’t delete your save data.
* BHowever, it’s always a good idea to back up your save data before uninstalling anything, just in case.B
Here’s how to back up your save data:
1. BUsing PlayStation Plus Cloud Storage:B
* BIf you have a PlayStation Plus subscription, your save data is automatically backed up to the cloud.B Make sure automatic uploads are enabled in your PS4’s settings (Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Upload to Online Storage).
* BYou can also manually upload save data to the cloud.B Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Upload to Online Storage. Select the game and the save data you want to upload, and then select “Upload.”
2. BUsing a USB Drive:B
* BConnect a USB drive to your PS4.B
* BGo to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Copy to USB Storage Device.B
* BSelect the game and the save data you want to copy, and then select “Copy.”B
After uninstalling a game, if you reinstall it later, you can restore your save data from the cloud or your USB drive.
* BTo download save data from the cloud:B Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in Online Storage > Download to System Storage. Select the game and the save data you want to download, and then select “Download.”
* BTo copy save data from a USB drive:B Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data on USB Storage Device > Copy to System Storage. Select the game and the save data you want to copy, and then select “Copy.”
BIssues You Might Encounter and TroubleshootingB
* BGame Won’t Uninstall:B
* BMake sure the game isn’t running.B Close the application completely before trying to uninstall it.
* BRestart your PS4.B Sometimes a simple restart can resolve the issue.
* BCheck for corrupted data.B Go to Safe Mode (turn off your PS4 completely, then press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps) and select “Rebuild Database.” This can fix corrupted data that might be preventing the game from uninstalling. (Warning: Rebuilding the database can take a significant amount of time).
* BNot Enough Space to Uninstall:B
* BThis is rare, but sometimes the PS4 needs a small amount of free space to complete the uninstall process.B Try deleting a small file or another game temporarily to free up some space.
* BSave Data Lost:B
* BIf you lost your save data, double-check that you backed it up properly before uninstalling the game.B If you used PlayStation Plus, make sure you downloaded the save data to your system after reinstalling the game.
* BUnfortunately, if you didn’t back up your save data and it’s gone, there’s usually no way to recover it.B This is why backing up is so important!
BManaging Your PS4 Storage EffectivelyB
Here are some tips to help you manage your PS4 storage and avoid running out of space:
1. BRegularly Uninstall Games You No Longer Play:B Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t played a game in months and don’t plan to anytime soon, uninstall it! You can always redownload it later if you change your mind.
2. BConsider an External Hard Drive:B The PS4 supports external hard drives, which is a great way to expand your storage capacity. You can install games directly onto the external drive.
* BTo use an external hard drive:B
* BConnect a USB 3.0 external hard drive to your PS4.B It must be at least 250GB and no more than 8TB.
* BGo to Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices.B
* BSelect the external hard drive and choose “Format as Extended Storage.”B This will format the drive so that it can be used to install games.
3. BDelete Unnecessary Files:B
* BCheck for old game demos, trailers, and other files that you no longer need.B These can take up a surprising amount of space.
* BGo to Settings > Storage > System Storage > Applications or Capture Gallery to find files to delete.B
4. BManage Capture Gallery Content:B
* BThe Capture Gallery is where your screenshots and video clips are stored.B These files can quickly accumulate and take up a lot of space.
* BRegularly delete unwanted screenshots and videos.B You can also copy them to a USB drive or upload them to a cloud service (like YouTube or PlayStation Network) to free up space on your PS4.
* BConsider reducing the resolution and length of your video clips.B Higher-resolution videos take up more space.
5. BOptimize Download Settings:B
* BIf you have a slow internet connection, you can optimize your download settings to reduce the amount of space required for updates.B
* BGo to Settings > System > Automatic Downloads.B
* BDisable automatic downloads for game updates and system software updates.B This will prevent the PS4 from automatically downloading large files in the background.
BFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)B
* BWill uninstalling a game delete my save data?B
* BUsually no, save data is stored separately. However, always back up your save data as a precaution.
* BHow do I reinstall a game I uninstalled?B
* BYou can redownload the game from the PlayStation Store, or reinstall it from a physical disc if you own the game on disc.
* BCan I move games from my PS4’s internal hard drive to an external hard drive?B
* BYes, you can move games to an external hard drive formatted as extended storage. Go to Settings > Storage > System Storage > Applications, press the Options button, and select “Move to Extended Storage.”
* BWhy is my PS4’s hard drive full even though I don’t have many games installed?B
* BOther files, such as game updates, system software updates, screenshots, video clips, and downloaded content, can take up significant space. Check your storage usage in Settings > Storage to see what’s using the most space.
* BIs there a way to see how much space a game will take up before I download it?B
* BYes, the PlayStation Store displays the file size of each game on the game’s product page.
BConclusionB
Uninstalling games on your PS4 is a simple but essential skill for managing your console’s storage. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily remove games you no longer play, free up space for new titles, and keep your PS4 running smoothly. Remember to back up your save data regularly to avoid losing your progress. With a little bit of planning and maintenance, you can keep your PS4 storage under control and enjoy all the games you want without worrying about running out of space. And, if you find yourself constantly battling storage issues, consider investing in an external hard drive to expand your console’s capacity. Happy gaming!