Can You Reinstall Deleted PS5 Games? Everything You Need To Know

Yes, you absolutely can reinstall deleted PS5 games! Whether you removed a game to free up storage space or accidentally deleted it, your purchased games are not lost forever. The PlayStation Network (PSN) keeps a record of all your digital purchases, allowing you to easily redownload and reinstall them whenever you want. The process is straightforward and ensures you can always return to your favorite gaming experiences on your PS5.

Reinstalling Your Games: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how you can reinstall deleted PS5 games:

1. Navigate to Your Game Library: From the PS5 home screen, go to “Game Library.” This is where all your purchased and installed games are listed.

2. Access the “Your Collection” Section: In the Game Library, look for the section labeled “Your Collection.” This section contains all the games you’ve purchased digitally.

3. Find the Deleted Game: Scroll through your collection to find the game you want to reinstall. Games that are not currently installed will have a download icon on their tile.

4. Initiate the Download: Select the game you want to reinstall and press the “Download” button. The game will begin downloading to your PS5’s storage.

5. Monitor the Download Progress: You can check the download progress in the “Downloads/Uploads” section of the Control Center, accessible by pressing the PlayStation button on your controller.

6. Automatic Installation: Once the download is complete, the game will automatically install on your PS5. You’ll receive a notification when the installation is finished.

Understanding Save Data

A common concern when deleting games is whether you’ll lose your saved progress. Thankfully, the PS5 handles save data separately from game installations. Unless you specifically delete your save data, it will remain intact. This means you can pick up right where you left off when you reinstall the game. The Games Learning Society, and other research groups, highlight how these seamless transitions can contribute to enhanced player engagement and learning experiences within games.

Managing Storage on Your PS5

The PS5 comes with a relatively limited amount of storage, so managing your storage space effectively is essential. Deleting games you’re not currently playing is a good way to free up space for new titles. Remember, deleting a game only removes the game files themselves, not your save data.

Expanding Your Storage

If you find yourself constantly running out of space, consider expanding your PS5’s storage. You can do this by:

• Installing an Internal SSD: The PS5 has an internal expansion slot for a compatible NVMe SSD. This is the most effective way to increase your storage capacity and maintain the console’s fast loading times.

• Using an External Hard Drive: You can connect an external hard drive to your PS5 via USB. While you can’t play PS5 games directly from an external drive, you can store them there and transfer them back to the internal storage when you want to play them. You can also play PS4 games directly from an external hard drive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about reinstalling deleted PS5 games and related topics:

1. Does deleting a game on PS5 delete my save data?

No, deleting a game on your PS5 does not automatically delete your saved data. Save data is typically stored separately. However, you have the option to delete save data manually if you choose.

2. How do I delete save data on PS5?

To delete save data, go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Saved Data. Select the game and then choose the save data you want to delete. Be careful, as this action is irreversible.

3. Can I redownload a game I purchased with a PSN code?

Yes, you can redownload any game you’ve purchased, whether with a PSN code, credit card, or other payment method. All your digital purchases are linked to your PlayStation account.

4. What if a game is no longer available on the PlayStation Store?

Even if a game is removed from the PlayStation Store, you can still redownload it if you’ve previously purchased it. Your purchase history remains intact.

5. Is there a limit to how many times I can redownload a game?

No, there is no limit to the number of times you can redownload a game you’ve purchased on the PSN.

6. Will I lose my progress if I delete and reinstall a game with cloud saves disabled?

If you haven’t enabled cloud saves and you delete your local save data, you will lose your progress. It’s highly recommended to use PlayStation Plus cloud storage to back up your save data.

7. How do I enable cloud saves on PS5?

To enable cloud saves, you need a PlayStation Plus subscription. Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4) > Sync Saved Data. Enable automatic uploads for your games.

8. Can I redownload games I got through PlayStation Plus?

Yes, you can redownload games you claimed through PlayStation Plus as long as you have an active subscription. If your subscription lapses, you won’t be able to access those games until you renew your subscription.

9. How do I redownload a game if I switched PS5 consoles?

Simply log in to your PlayStation account on the new console and follow the steps to access your Game Library and redownload the games you want.

10. What happens to my DLC when I delete a game?

Your downloadable content (DLC) is linked to your PlayStation account, just like the base game. When you reinstall the game, you can redownload the DLC from the PlayStation Store.

11. How do I restore licenses on my PS5?

Sometimes, you may encounter issues with game licenses. To restore them, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. This can resolve issues with games or DLC not working correctly.

12. Can I redownload a game that was installed from a disc?

You can only redownload a game from the PlayStation Store if you purchased a digital copy. If you have a physical disc, you’ll need to insert the disc to install and play the game.

13. How much storage space does the PS5 have?

The PS5 comes with an 825GB SSD, but only about 667GB is usable for games and applications.

14. Can I play a game while it’s downloading on PS5?

Yes, the PS5 allows you to start playing some games even before the entire download is complete. This feature depends on the game and how it’s structured.

15. How do I manage my downloads on PS5?

You can manage your downloads by going to the Control Center (press the PlayStation button) and selecting “Downloads/Uploads.” Here, you can pause, resume, or cancel downloads.

Understanding these aspects of game management on the PS5 ensures you can enjoy your gaming library without the fear of losing access to your favorite titles. Keep exploring the exciting world of gaming and its impact on learning at GamesLearningSociety.org.