Will All My Stuff Still Be Saved If I Delete a Game on PS4 and Download It Again?

The short answer is: usually, yes! You can typically delete a game on your PS4 and redownload it later without losing your progress. However, there are nuances and exceptions to this rule. This article will delve into the specifics of how game saves work on the PS4, the different types of saves, and what you need to know to ensure your progress is safe and sound.

Understanding PS4 Game Saves

The Basics of Game Data Storage

When you play a game on your PS4, your progress, settings, and achievements are stored as game save data. This data is usually separate from the actual game installation files. This separation is intentional; it allows you to remove the game to free up storage space without erasing all your hard work.

Where Are Game Saves Stored?

PS4 game saves can be stored in three main locations:

• Local Console Storage: This is the PS4’s internal hard drive. By default, your game saves are stored here.

• PlayStation Plus Cloud Storage: If you are a PlayStation Plus subscriber, your game saves are automatically backed up to the cloud.

• External USB Storage: You can manually back up your game saves to a USB drive for extra security.

The Importance of PlayStation Plus Cloud Saves

Having a PlayStation Plus subscription is the easiest and most reliable way to ensure your game saves are protected. The cloud storage feature automatically uploads your saves, meaning that even if your PS4’s hard drive fails, your progress is safe. When you redownload a game, you can simply download your save data from the cloud and pick up where you left off.

Scenarios Where You Might Lose Data

While the PS4 system is designed to preserve your progress, there are some situations where you might lose game save data:

• Not Backing Up Saves: If you don’t have PlayStation Plus and haven’t manually backed up your saves to a USB drive, deleting a game can lead to data loss if your hard drive malfunctions or the system needs to be reset.

• Corrupted Save Data: Sometimes, game save files can become corrupted. This can happen due to power outages, system errors, or other unforeseen issues. Corrupted save data may be unusable.

• Game-Specific Restrictions: While rare, some games may have specific restrictions on save data backups. This is more common with online-only games that store progress on their servers, but it’s worth being aware of.

• Deleting Save Data Manually: You can manually delete game save data from your PS4’s storage. Obviously, doing so will erase your progress. So make sure you only delete what you are supposed to delete.

How to Ensure Your Game Saves Are Safe

To minimize the risk of losing your game saves, follow these best practices:

• Subscribe to PlayStation Plus: This is the easiest and most reliable way to back up your saves automatically.

• Enable Automatic Uploads: In your PS4 settings, ensure that automatic uploads to cloud storage are enabled. Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Auto-Upload.

• Manually Back Up to USB: Periodically back up your saves to a USB drive, especially for games you are deeply invested in. To do this, go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Copy to USB Storage Device.

• Check for Corrupted Data: Regularly check your saved data for corruption. Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage and look for any files marked as corrupted.

• Use Rest Mode Properly: Use Rest Mode instead of completely turning off your console for games that have autosaving features.

Redownloading Games: A Step-by-Step Guide

Redownloading a game you previously purchased on the PlayStation Store is straightforward:

1. Go to Your Library: From the PS4 home screen, navigate to your Library.
2. Find the Game: Look for the game you want to redownload in the list of purchased games.
3. Download the Game: Select the game and click the “Download” button.
4. Restore Your Save Data: Once the game is installed, if you have PlayStation Plus, your save data will usually download automatically. If not, you can manually download it from the cloud or restore it from your USB drive.
5. Enjoy!

The Importance of Digital Ownership

The PlayStation ecosystem ensures that once you purchase a digital game, it remains associated with your account. Even if you delete the game, you can always redownload it without having to repurchase it. This is a significant advantage of digital ownership.

Considerations for Physical Games

If you have a physical copy of a game (a disc), deleting the game simply removes the installed files from your PS4. Your save data remains intact, assuming it has been backed up. To play the game again, you’ll need to reinstall it from the disc. The ability to play it relies on having the physical disc.

Understanding Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Digital Rights Management (DRM) technologies are used to protect copyright and control access to digital content. On the PS4, DRM ensures that only the account that purchased a digital game can play it. This is why you need to be logged in to your PlayStation Network account to access your downloaded games.

Games Learning Society

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Conclusion

Deleting a game on your PS4 doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With a basic understanding of how game saves work and the precautions outlined in this article, you can manage your storage space with confidence, knowing that your progress is safe and recoverable. So, go ahead, clear out those games you’re no longer playing – you can always come back to them later! With services like GamesLearningSociety.org you can stay on top of the ever-changing landscape of technology and gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I delete a PS4 game and then redownload it without buying it again?

Yes, if you purchased the game digitally through the PlayStation Store, you can redownload it as many times as you like without repurchasing it, as long as it’s linked to your account. For physical games, you need the disc to reinstall.

2. Does deleting a game automatically delete my saved data?

No, deleting a game typically does not automatically delete your saved data. The save data is stored separately. However, it’s always best to ensure your saves are backed up to the cloud or a USB drive.

3. How do I back up my PS4 game saves to the cloud?

You need a PlayStation Plus subscription to use cloud saves. Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Upload to Online Storage. Make sure automatic uploads are enabled for convenience.

4. How do I back up my PS4 game saves to a USB drive?

Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Copy to USB Storage Device. Select the games you want to back up and copy them to your USB drive.

5. What happens if my PS4’s hard drive fails?

If you have PlayStation Plus and have been using cloud saves, you can easily restore your game saves to a new PS4 or a replaced hard drive. If you haven’t backed up your saves, you will likely lose your progress.

6. Can I transfer my PS4 game saves to a PS5?

Yes, you can transfer your PS4 game saves to a PS5 using cloud storage, a USB drive, or network transfer. The PS5 is backwards compatible with most PS4 games and save data.

7. What if I don’t have PlayStation Plus?

Without PlayStation Plus, your only option for backing up your game saves is to manually copy them to a USB drive. Remember to do this regularly to protect your progress.

8. How do I restore my game saves after redownloading a game?

If you have PlayStation Plus, your save data should download automatically when you launch the game. If not, go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in Online Storage > Download to System Storage or Saved Data on USB Storage Device > Copy to System Storage.

9. Are there any games that don’t allow save data backups?

While rare, some games might have restrictions due to online functionality or anti-cheat measures. Check the game’s documentation or online forums to confirm.

10. What does “corrupted save data” mean?

Corrupted save data means that the game save file has become damaged or unreadable. This can happen due to various reasons, such as power outages or system errors.

11. Can I fix corrupted save data?

Sometimes, you can fix corrupted save data by rebuilding the PS4’s database. However, this is not always successful, and you may need to rely on a backup save file.

12. Is it safe to unplug my PS4 while it’s downloading a game?

No, it’s generally not safe to unplug your PS4 while it’s downloading a game. This can cause data corruption and other issues. Always allow the download to complete before turning off your console.

13. How much storage space does a PS4 have?

The original PS4 models came with either 500GB or 1TB hard drives. You can also upgrade the hard drive to a larger capacity.

14. How do I free up space on my PS4 hard drive?

You can free up space by deleting games you no longer play, deleting unnecessary screenshots and videos, or upgrading to a larger hard drive.

15. Does putting my PS4 in Rest Mode affect game saves?

Putting your PS4 in Rest Mode allows games to continue downloading and save data to be uploaded to the cloud automatically. This is the most reliable way to keep games up to date and save progress backed up.