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It depends on which option you choose. Reset PS5 and Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) erase data stored on the console. Restore Default Settings changes settings without deleting user or game data. Before choosing a full reset, back up anything you want to keep.
What happens with each PS5 reset option?
Sony distinguishes resetting settings from erasing the console. Check the exact option name before you proceed.
| Option | What it does | What happens to data |
|---|---|---|
| Restore Default Settings | Resets selected system settings to their defaults. | User and game data are not affected, according to PlayStation Support. |
| Reset PS5 | Restores the console to its original state. | Deletes all user data, according to PlayStation Support’s Safe Mode guidance. Treat locally stored data as lost unless you back it up first. |
| Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) | Reinstalls the PS5 system software using Sony’s reinstallation process. | Deletes all user data and removes the system software currently on the console. You need the official reinstallation file on a FAT32- or exFAT-formatted USB drive; see Sony’s reinstallation instructions. |
What should you back up before a full reset?
Sony’s full-console backup can include games and apps, saved data, screenshots and video clips, and settings. Use a FAT32- or exFAT-formatted USB drive, and confirm the backup completes. Sony notes that not all USB devices work with the console. Follow Sony’s PS5 backup instructions for the current steps.
- USB extended storage and M.2 SSD games and apps are not included in the backup file. Reconnect the storage devices or reinstall the games and apps after restoring.
- Trophies are not included. Sony advises updating game status before making a backup.
- PS5 backups are not a merge. Restoring one erases all data currently saved on the console.
- Account and console requirements apply. A backup is linked to the PlayStation account. If you have never signed in to PlayStation services, Sony says you can restore only to the same console; restoring to another console requires signing in with the account used for the backup.
- Some settings need attention afterward. Console Sharing and Offline Play is disabled after a restore and must be enabled again if you use it.
- Check the software version. The console you restore to must have system software that is the same version or newer than the version installed when the backup was created.
Can you save only your game saves?
Yes. PlayStation Plus members can use cloud storage for PS5 and PS4 saved data. Sony also documents copying PS4 saved data to USB through Saved Data and Game/App Settings. These are save-data options, not replacements for the broader console backup, which can also cover settings, screenshots, clips, and other supported data. See Sony’s PS5 storage guidance.
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What can you download again after resetting?
Sony says games and applications deleted from console storage can be downloaded again from your game library. That does not automatically bring back local save files, screenshots, video clips, or personalized settings; use the relevant backup or save-data route for those.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose the safer option
- If you only want to undo system settings, use Restore Default Settings: Settings > System > System Software > Reset Options > Restore Default Settings.
- If you intend to erase the console, first back up data you want to keep, then carefully select the full-reset option you need in Safe Mode.
- If system software must be reinstalled, use Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) and follow Sony’s USB reinstallation procedure.
The backup instructions linked above are on Sony’s Croatia support site; menu labels and service availability can vary by region or software version. Check your local PlayStation Support guidance before starting.
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