Uninstalling PS4 Games: A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Steps

Running out of space on your PlayStation 4? It’s a common problem for gamers, especially with the ever-increasing size of modern games. The good news is, freeing up space is straightforward, and uninstalling games you’re not actively playing is the most effective way to do it. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of uninstalling PS4 games, providing detailed steps and answering frequently asked questions.

Why Uninstall PS4 Games?

Before we dive into the ‘how,’ let’s quickly cover the ‘why.’ Here are a few compelling reasons to uninstall games on your PS4:

• Free Up Storage Space: This is the primary reason. PS4 games can be massive, often taking up tens or even hundreds of gigabytes of storage. Uninstalling games you no longer play creates room for new games, updates, and other media.
• Improve System Performance: While not a direct cause, having a near-full hard drive can sometimes contribute to slower system performance. Removing unnecessary data can help your PS4 run smoother.
• Organize Your Game Library: Having a cluttered game library can be overwhelming. Uninstalling games you’ve finished or no longer enjoy helps you keep your library more organized and easier to navigate.
• Manage Game Data: If you’re planning to sell or give away your PS4, uninstalling games is a crucial step in preparing your console, ensuring you remove personal data associated with those games.

Understanding the Difference: Uninstall vs. Delete

It’s important to clarify the difference between “uninstalling” and “deleting” when it comes to PS4 games. The term ‘uninstall’ typically refers to removing the game files from your hard drive, which is what this guide focuses on. “Deleting,” in the context of PS4, usually refers to removing save data or profile-specific information, which is a separate action and not covered extensively here. The uninstallation process we describe will also remove the game itself but retain certain aspects like trophies and saved games unless you actively decide to remove those separately. We’ll briefly touch on save data removal later in this article.

How to Uninstall PS4 Games: Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to uninstall PS4 games:

Method 1: Uninstalling from the Home Screen

This is the most common and straightforward method.

1. Turn on your PlayStation 4 and navigate to the Home Screen: This is the main menu where you see all your games and applications.
2. Highlight the game you wish to uninstall: Use the left analog stick or the D-pad to select the game. Make sure the game is highlighted (bordered by a selection box) but not launched.
3. Press the Options button on your DualShock 4 controller: This button is located to the right of the touchpad and is identified by three horizontal lines. Pressing it will bring up a side menu.
4. Select ‘Delete’ from the Options menu: From the side menu that appears after pressing the Options button, you will see various options like “Start”, “Overview”, “Information”, “Delete” and so on. Use the up and down arrow keys to navigate through the menu and highlight the “Delete” option. Then, press the X button to select this.
5. Confirm your decision: A confirmation message will appear, asking if you are sure you want to delete the game. This message will also highlight the game name. Select ‘OK’ (usually the X button) to confirm and proceed with the uninstallation process.
6. Wait for the uninstallation to complete: The PS4 will then start the process of removing the game files from your hard drive. The progress may be visible via a progress bar, but typically the deletion is fast. The time it takes depends on the size of the game. You’ll know it’s done when the game icon disappears from your Home Screen.

Method 2: Uninstalling from the Library

This method is helpful if your Home Screen is cluttered, or if you want to uninstall multiple games.

1. Go to the Library: From the PS4’s Home Screen, navigate to the far right. You’ll see the “Library” icon. Press the X button to select it.
2. Select ‘Games’: In the Library, you will see several categories such as “Games”, “Applications” etc. Use the left analog stick or D-pad to select the “Games” option and then press the X button.
3. Find the game you wish to uninstall: Use the left analog stick or the D-pad to scroll through your installed games. You will see two tabs “Purchased” and “Installed”. You will have to navigate to the “Installed” tab and scroll though the list to find the game you wish to uninstall. Highlight the game using the navigation keys.
4. Press the Options button: Just like in Method 1, press the Options button on your controller to bring up the side menu.
5. Select ‘Delete’: In the side menu, use the navigation keys to select the “Delete” option and then press the X button.
6. Confirm your decision: You’ll get the same confirmation prompt as in Method 1. Select ‘OK’ to proceed.
7. Wait for the uninstallation to finish: The process is identical to Method 1. The time taken will depend on the size of the game. The game will disappear from your “Installed” tab after successful uninstallation.

Method 3: Uninstalling from System Storage

This method is useful to check your PS4’s storage details or manage installed games.

1. Go to the Settings: From the PS4 Home Screen, navigate to the top menu and find the “Settings” icon. Select it using the X button.
2. Select ‘Storage’: In the Settings menu scroll down and select “Storage”. This will bring you to a screen displaying information about your console’s available storage space.
3. Choose ‘System Storage’: You’ll see a display showing the total system storage and its current usage. You can choose either “System Storage” or “Extended Storage” if you have an external hard drive connected. For the purpose of this guide, we will be using the “System Storage”. Press the X button to select “System Storage”.
4. Select ‘Applications’: On the screen that appears you’ll see a list of all available categories. Use the left analog stick or D-pad to highlight the ‘Applications’ option and then press the X button.
5. Highlight the game you wish to uninstall: A list of all your installed games will appear, listed in the order of the amount of storage space they use. Use the left analog stick or the D-pad to navigate and highlight the game you wish to uninstall.
6. Press the Options button: Press the Options button on your controller to bring up the side menu.
7. Select ‘Delete’: In the side menu, select the ‘Delete’ option and press the X button.
8. Select the game(s) you want to delete: You’ll see a list of the games you’ve selected. Select the checkbox next to the game(s) you want to uninstall using the X button. You can select multiple games at a time here.
9. Confirm your decision: Once you’ve selected all the games, move to the bottom of the screen and select ‘Delete’ (usually the X button) to confirm your selection.
10. Wait for the uninstallation to complete: This process may take some time if multiple games are selected. The amount of time taken for deletion is proportional to the size of the game selected. Once complete, the games will disappear from your system storage.

What Happens to Game Data After Uninstallation?

When you uninstall a game, the game files are removed from your hard drive. However, by default, your saved game data and trophies are *not* deleted. This is a crucial distinction because it means that if you reinstall the game in the future, you can typically pick up where you left off. Here’s a breakdown:

• Save Data: This includes your progress, in-game settings, and any other data specific to your game playthrough. This data remains on your PS4 unless you explicitly delete it. This will mean that the next time you install the game and play it, your progress will remain unaffected.
• Trophies: The trophies you’ve earned for the game are also saved to your PSN profile and will not be deleted upon uninstallation of the game. They will remain in your trophy list.

How to Manage Save Data

If you want to remove the save data of a game along with uninstalling it, you need to take an additional step. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Settings: From the PS4’s home screen, navigate to the top menu and go to “Settings”. Select it using the X button.
2. Select ‘Application Saved Data Management’: Scroll down in the Settings menu to select “Application Saved Data Management” and then press the X button to select it.
3. Select ‘Saved Data in System Storage’: Under “Application Saved Data Management”, you will see three options : “Saved Data in System Storage”, “Saved Data in Online Storage” and “Saved Data on USB Drive”. Select “Saved Data in System Storage” using the X button.
4. Choose ‘Delete’: In this option, you will be given the choice to “Upload to Online Storage”, “Copy to USB Storage” or “Delete”. For deleting the saved data select “Delete” option using the X button.
5. Select the game: In this step, you will see the list of all the games in which you have save data stored on your PS4. Use the left analog stick or the D-pad to highlight the game whose save data you want to remove.
6. Confirm the deletion: You will be asked to confirm your selection. Select “Delete” to permanently remove the saved data for that game from your PS4’s storage.

Important Note: Deleting save data is irreversible. Make sure you are certain about removing save data as there is no going back once removed. If you wish to keep your save data, we suggest moving it to a USB drive or your PSN online cloud storage, before removing the data from your console.

Tips for Managing PS4 Storage

Here are some helpful tips to avoid running out of space:

• Regularly Uninstall Unused Games: Make it a habit to go through your game library periodically and uninstall games you’re not actively playing.
• Consider Using an External Hard Drive: If you have a lot of games and don’t want to uninstall them, an external hard drive is a great solution. The PS4 supports USB 3.0 external drives for both game installations and media storage.
• Manage Capture Gallery: Saved screenshots and videos can take up significant space. Go through your Capture Gallery and delete any media you don’t need.
• Remove Unnecessary Applications: Uninstall any applications you rarely use, such as streaming apps or demos that are no longer needed.
• Back Up Your Save Data: Regularly back up your game save data to the PSN cloud or a USB drive. This protects your progress in case your console’s hard drive malfunctions or you decide to format your PS4.
• Keep a Watch on Game Sizes: Be aware of the installation size of the games you purchase. Digital game downloads can be quite large, sometimes larger than the physical disc version due to the inclusion of patches and updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about uninstalling PS4 games:

Q: Will uninstalling a game delete my trophies?

A: No, your trophies will not be deleted. They are linked to your PSN account and will remain on your profile even if you uninstall the game.

Q: If I uninstall a game, will I have to repurchase it to play it again?

A: If you have purchased the game digitally through the PSN store, it will be tied to your account. You will be able to re-download it anytime without having to repurchase it. If you have the physical disc version, you will need to re-insert it into the PS4 in order to re-install it.

Q: Can I uninstall games using the PS app on my phone?

A: No, the PS app does not directly support game uninstallation. You must uninstall games directly from your PS4 console.

Q: Does uninstalling games improve my PS4’s performance?

A: While it’s not a guaranteed solution, it can sometimes improve your PS4’s performance, especially if your hard drive is nearly full. Having more free space can help the system operate more smoothly.

Q: What if I accidentally delete a game?

A: If you have a physical copy of the game, you can easily re-install the game using your physical disc. If you have purchased the game digitally you can re-download the game from your PlayStation Library for free as long as you own the license. Your save data may be lost if you also accidentally deleted your saved data associated with the game. In such a case, the game will start with your game starting with your old save data being lost.

Q: How much storage space does an average PS4 game take up?

A: Game sizes vary greatly, but modern PS4 games can easily range from 20GB to over 100GB. Some newer AAA titles are pushing even higher than that. Make sure you keep tabs on the game size before you install it.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of times I can re-install a game?

A: No, there is no limit to the number of times you can reinstall a game as long as you own the license (digital) or own the physical disc. You can install and uninstall the game as many times as needed.

Conclusion

Managing storage space on your PS4 is crucial for a smooth gaming experience. Uninstalling games is a simple but effective way to free up space and maintain your console’s performance. By following the detailed steps outlined in this guide, you can easily uninstall games and keep your game library organized. Remember to also manage your save data and consider using an external hard drive for further storage solutions. Happy Gaming!