Do I have to buy a game again if I delete it?
Quick answer
This page answers Do I have to buy a game again if I delete it? quickly.
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
▶
The answer to this question is generally no, as the purchase will stay tied to your Google Account and you can re-install anytime as long as you use the same account. This means that if you delete a game, you won’t have to buy it again later, as long as you’re using the same account that you originally used to purchase the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- What happens if I delete a game I bought digitally? When you delete a game, you will basically delete the game files, but your save files will not be deleted unless you want to delete them too in the settings menu.
- Can I delete a game and redownload it? Yes, you can delete and re-download games however you please, as long as they’re in your library.
- How to REINSTALL GAMES on PS4 After deleting them? You can redownload games from your library on the PS4 after deleting them, as long as you’re using the same account.
Refund and Ownership
- Can I get a refund if I bought a game digitally? Refunds are typically issued for requests made within 14 days of the purchase date for games in which you haven’t accumulated a significant amount of play time.
- Do you own a game if you buy it digitally? Games purchased digitally are legally licenses and not sold, meaning consumers do not have legal ownership and cannot resell their games.
- Is it illegal to download a game that costs money for free? It is illegal to download a game without the consent of its copyright owner, if the game is still under copyright protection.
Reinstallation and Uninstallation
- Can I uninstall a game and keep my progress? It depends on the game, but most new games have your progress saved either on the server or cloud of the developer, or in the Steam Cloud.
- What happens if I uninstall an app I purchased? The purchase will stay tied to your Google Account and you can re-install anytime as long as you use the same account.
- Is deleting a game the same as uninstalling it? Yes, on Android devices “uninstall” is the same thing as “delete“.
Game Progress and Data
- Does deleting a game delete save? If you delete the game you do not delete your game save, as saves are not included in the game files but in a separate area of storage.
- How do I recover deleted game progress? Some games autosave your progress when you’re signed in with Google Play Games Mobile App, and you can sync your game data and pick up where you left off.
- Can I reinstall a game after uninstalling it from Origin? Yes, it will just stay in the ‘My Games‘ section in Origin client, and you should get a prompt when uninstalling the game whether you wish to remove or keep game saves.
Account and Subscription
- What happens if I delete an app I purchased? Deleting an app removes the program and all its data, but the app will still be linked with your Apple account through your purchase history.
- How do I stop paying for deleted apps? You can cancel your subscription by tapping on any app you no longer want to pay for, scrolling to the bottom and hitting Cancel Subscription.
- Will I lose my purchases if I delete an app? No, deleting an app won’t remove your purchases, as they are tied to your account, but you might need to reinstall the app to access them again.