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When You Delete a Game on PS5: Do You Lose Your Progress?

The burning question on every gamer’s mind before freeing up precious space on their PlayStation 5 (PS5) is this: “If I delete a game, do I lose all my hard-earned progress?” The short answer is: generally, no! Deleting a game on your PS5 typically removes the game files themselves, but your saved data, that precious record of your victories and accomplishments, is usually stored separately. However, there are nuances to this, so let’s dive into the details to ensure you understand exactly what happens when you hit that delete button.

Understanding Save Data Management on PS5

The PS5 is designed with user experience in mind, and a key part of that is preserving your gaming progress. Sony understands that gamers invest countless hours into their virtual adventures, and losing that progress would be devastating. Therefore, the console employs a system that separates game installations from save data.

Game Installations: These are the core files required to run the game. When you purchase a game digitally or install it from a disc, these files are copied to your PS5’s internal storage (or an external storage device, if configured). Deleting the game removes these files, freeing up space.
Save Data: This is the information about your progress within the game, including character levels, unlocked items, story progression, and other in-game achievements. This data is typically stored separately from the game installation files.

This separation is crucial because it allows you to delete a game to make room for new titles without sacrificing your progress. When you decide to reinstall the game later, your saved data will still be there, ready for you to pick up right where you left off.

Important Considerations and Caveats

While the system is designed to protect your save data, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Accidental Deletion: While deleting a game usually doesn’t delete save data, be extra careful when navigating the storage settings. There is an option to specifically delete saved data, so double-check before confirming any deletion.
Cloud Storage: If you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber, your save data is automatically backed up to the cloud. This is an excellent safety net in case of accidental deletion or console issues. However, make sure cloud syncing is enabled in your PS5 settings. For PS4 games, data is automatically uploaded to your cloud storage, but will need to be manually downloaded to PS5 console storage.
Game-Specific Behavior: In rare cases, a game might handle save data differently. Always check the game’s documentation or online forums if you’re unsure. Some games might tie save data directly to the installation files, though this is uncommon on the PS5. If you delete data for a game, you might also delete any in-game achievements or progress, depending on how the developer has built the game.
PS4 Games on PS5: While PS4 games generally work seamlessly on the PS5, ensure your save data is properly transferred. You can transfer save data via cloud storage, USB drive, or direct transfer between consoles.
Offline Play: If you primarily play offline, ensure your save data is synced to the cloud or backed up to a USB drive regularly. If your console malfunctions or the data gets corrupted, you’ll want to have a backup available.
External Storage: If you’re using an external hard drive for game storage, be cautious when disconnecting it. Always properly eject the drive through the PS5’s settings to prevent data corruption.
Play Games Data: When you delete Play Games data from your account, it also deletes your Play Games data with Google. This will not delete data with the game developer.

How to Manage Your Storage on PS5

Keeping an eye on your PS5’s storage is essential, especially with the ever-increasing size of modern games. Here’s how to manage your storage effectively:

Check Storage Status: Go to Settings > Storage to see how much space you have available and what’s taking up the most space (games, media, applications, etc.).
Delete Unwanted Games: Select Games and Apps, then Delete Content. Choose the games you want to remove and confirm the deletion.
Manage Save Data: Navigate to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings. Here, you can manage your saved data, upload it to the cloud, or delete it if necessary.
Consider External Storage: If you’re constantly running out of space, consider adding an external SSD. The PS5 supports external storage for PS4 games and for storing PS5 games that you’re not actively playing (you’ll need to transfer them back to the internal storage to play).
SSD Expansion: You can add another SSD to your PS5 using the built-in and empty SSD slot, which should help alleviate any performance issues.

Recovering Deleted Game Saves on PS5

Accidents happen. If you’ve accidentally deleted your save data, don’t panic! Here’s how you might be able to recover it:

Cloud Storage: If you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber, check your cloud storage. Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4) > Download from Cloud Storage. Select the game and download the latest save.
USB Backup: If you’ve been backing up your save data to a USB drive, simply restore the data from the drive.
Contact Support: In some cases, Sony’s customer support might be able to assist with data recovery, though this is not guaranteed.

Bragging Rights: The Importance of Trophies

Games that have already earned trophies cannot be deleted. Aside from pure bragging rights, earning a platinum can be fun. It can give you much more mileage when you play games, encouraging you to play in a way you might not have otherwise. For instance, some trophies are tied to optional in-game sequences that you might’ve missed out on if you skipped going for the trophy. Deleting a game won’t erase your trophies. Once you earn a trophy, it is synched with your PSN account.

Uninstalling vs. Deleting: What’s the Difference?

On Android devices “uninstall” is the same thing as “delete”. When you remove an app you purchased, you can still reinstall it without having to pay again.

The “Other” Storage Section

The PlayStation 5 SSD’s Other section acts as a kind of cache or recycle bin for deleted or moved material. PS5 internal storage is premium real estate. If you’ve ever had to manage your PS5’s storage space, you’ll probably have noticed the Other section.

Gaming and Learning

The world of gaming is not only about entertainment but also about learning and skill development. Consider exploring the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how games can be used for educational purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of deleting games and managing save data on your PS5:

1. Does deleting a game on PS5 delete my trophies?

No, deleting a game does not delete your trophies. Trophies are linked to your PlayStation Network (PSN) account and are not tied to the game installation files. Once earned, they remain on your profile, regardless of whether the game is installed.

2. Can I uninstall a game and keep the save data?

Yes, you can! Uninstalling a game on your PS5 generally does not delete the save data. The save data is stored separately, allowing you to remove the game files without losing your progress.

3. Is uninstalling a game the same as deleting it on PS5?

Yes, on PS5, “uninstalling” and “deleting” a game are essentially the same thing. Both actions remove the game files from your console’s storage.

4. Do I lose my progress if I delete an app (game) on PS5?

Typically, no. Your game progress is stored in separate save data files. However, it’s always wise to ensure you have cloud saves enabled or have a manual backup before deleting anything.

5. How do you delete a game but not save data on PS5?

Thankfully, you don’t need to worry about accidentally deleting your save data when deleting a game on your PS5. The console is designed to keep them separate. Simply delete the game, and your save data will remain intact.

6. What happens if you delete a game on PlayStation (PS5)?

When you delete a game, you are essentially removing the game files from your PS5’s storage. Your save files are usually not deleted unless you specifically choose to delete them in the storage settings. You can always re-download the game later from your library if you purchased it digitally.

7. Do you lose progress if you uninstall a game on PS4 played on PS5?

No, you do not lose your progress if you uninstall a PS4 game played on PS5. The save data is stored separately, and you can continue your progress when you reinstall the game.

8. How do I get more space on my PS5?

There are several ways to get more space on your PS5:

Delete Games: Uninstall games you no longer play.
External Storage: Use an external USB drive to store PS4 games and less frequently played PS5 games.
SSD Expansion: Install an internal NVMe SSD to expand your internal storage.

9. How do I delete a game on PS5 and get my money back?

Sony has a specific refund policy. Generally, you can request a refund within 14 days of purchase if you haven’t downloaded or streamed the game. Contact PlayStation Support for more information.

10. How do I restore my game progress on PS5?

You can restore your game progress from:

Cloud Storage: If you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber.
USB Backup: If you’ve created a manual backup.

11. How do you recover deleted game saves on PS5?

The best way to recover deleted game saves is to restore them from cloud storage (PlayStation Plus) or a USB backup. If you don’t have a backup, recovery may not be possible.

12. Is there a recycle bin on PS5?

There is no dedicated recycle bin on the PS5 like on a computer. Deleted files are not stored temporarily before being permanently removed.

13. How many games can a PS5 hold?

The number of games a PS5 can hold depends on the size of the games. With the usable storage being around 667GB, you can typically store between 10-15 large games, but this number can vary significantly.

14. What is the point of PS5 trophies?

PS5 trophies offer several benefits:

Bragging Rights: Show off your accomplishments to friends and the community.
Extended Gameplay: Encourage you to explore different aspects of a game and complete challenges.
Personal Satisfaction: Provide a sense of achievement and progression.

15. Where is PS5 game data stored?

For PS5 games, both your console and cloud storage will sync to the most recent data. For PS4 games, data is automatically uploaded to your cloud storage, but will need to be manually downloaded to PS5 console storage. Game data is stored in the console’s internal storage (SSD), but can also be saved to cloud storage if you have PlayStation Plus.

Conclusion

Deleting a game on your PS5 doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking experience. By understanding how save data is managed and taking precautions like enabling cloud saves and backing up to USB, you can confidently manage your storage without fear of losing your precious gaming progress. Happy gaming!

When you delete a game on PS5 do you lose progress?