Deleting a game from your PS5 removes its installed files, not normally its saved progress or digital ownership. You can download a purchased digital game again from Games home > Game Library > Your Collection. Disc games can be reinstalled by inserting the disc. Before deleting anything important, back up your saves and make sure you know whether the game is digital, disc-based, or accessed through PlayStation Plus.
The menu paths below reflect current PlayStation guidance as of August 2026; Sony may change labels in future system-software updates.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Before deleting: understand what will be removed
| Item | What happens when you delete the game |
|---|---|
| Installed game files | Removed, freeing console storage. |
| Digital purchase | Remains associated with the purchasing PlayStation Network account. |
| Saved data | Normally remains because saves are managed separately. |
| Trophies | Earned trophies remain associated with your PlayStation account. |
| DLC and add-ons | May be removed with the installation, but owned add-ons can generally be downloaded again while the entitlement remains valid. |
Deleting a game is different from deleting saved data, resetting the PS5, or reinstalling system software. A factory reset or deliberate save deletion can remove progress, so do not use those options merely to uninstall a game.
Back up important saves first
A normal game deletion should leave local saves alone, but back up irreplaceable progress before troubleshooting, replacing storage, moving to another console, or deleting saved data.
#1 Best Overall
- Heighten Your Senses. Discover Deeper, highly immersive gaming experiences.
- Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback
- Chat online through the built-in microphone or connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Play on more devices Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth wireless technology so you can easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range titles
PlayStation Plus cloud storage
PlayStation Plus plans—Essential, Extra, and Premium—include 100 GB of cloud storage for PS5 and PS4 saved data in the US, according to Sony’s PlayStation Plus support page.
- Open Settings.
- Select Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Choose Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4).
- Select Upload or Delete from Console Storage.
- Choose the upload option and select the saves you want to back up.
Check the save’s upload date. Cloud synchronization depends on your settings and console state, and an older cloud save can replace newer local progress if downloaded later.
Copy PS4 saves to USB
PS4 saved data can also be copied to a compatible USB drive:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Select Saved Data (PS4).
- Choose Upload or Delete from Console Storage > Copy to USB Drive.
- Select the game and save files, then choose Copy.
PS5 saves generally cannot be copied to USB in the same way; use PlayStation Plus cloud storage or the PS5’s supported data-transfer options instead.
How to delete a game on PS5
- From the PS5 home screen, open Settings.
- Select Storage.
- Choose Console Storage.
- Select Games and Apps.
- Choose the game or games to remove.
- Select Delete, then confirm.
You can select multiple games at once. Some titles offer Customize, which may let you remove particular add-ons or portions of the installation instead of deleting the entire game. The available components vary by game.
Rank #2
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
For more storage-management details, see PlayStation’s PS5 storage guide.
Do not delete saved data unless you mean to
Saved data is managed separately under Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4). You do not need to enter these menus to uninstall a game.
If you already deleted a save, reset the console, or downloaded an older cloud save over newer progress, recovery may depend on a cloud backup, a PS4 USB backup, or the game’s own publisher account. Online games may store progression on their servers and require the same linked account.
How to redownload a digital PS5 game
- Open Games home.
- Select Game Library.
- Open Your Collection.
- Choose the game.
- Select Download.
The installation begins after the download starts. You must be signed in to the PSN account that purchased or claimed the game. A normal purchased digital game does not require PlayStation Plus just to download it again.
Some games have separate PS4 and PS5 versions. Open the game’s options and select the version you actually want. A PS4 save does not automatically mean that every PS5 version will use it; compatibility and transfer methods are game-specific.
Rank #3
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
How to reinstall a disc game
- Insert the game disc into the PS5.
- Allow the console to copy and install the game.
- Download any available updates.
The disc normally must remain inserted whenever you launch the installed game. Installing from a disc does not convert it into a digital entitlement. A PS5 Digital Edition cannot use physical discs, so its owner needs a compatible digital license.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →How to restore DLC and add-ons
- Open Game Library > Your Collection.
- Select the game.
- Scroll to Add-Ons.
- Choose the add-on and select Download.
Reinstalling the base game does not guarantee that every add-on will install automatically. DLC can depend on the account’s store region, disc region, edition, and game version. Some add-ons are small license or unlock files rather than large downloads, and PS4 and PS5 versions may be listed separately.
Use Sony’s game-download guidance if an add-on does not appear.
Redownload remotely with the PlayStation App
- Open the PlayStation App.
- Select the Game Library icon.
- Choose Purchased.
- Select the game.
- Choose Download to Console.
The PS5 must be linked to the app. Automatic-download and rest-mode settings affect whether the download starts while the console is resting; otherwise it may begin the next time you turn on the PS5. You can also use the PlayStation Store website: Sign in > avatar > Game Library > Purchased > game > Download.
Restore a save from cloud storage
- Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Select Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4).
- Choose Download or Delete from Cloud Storage.
- Open the Download to Console Storage tab.
- Select the game’s save and choose Download.
Compare timestamps before downloading. Restoring an older cloud save can overwrite or conflict with a newer local save. Sony’s instructions are available at Download or upload PS Plus saved data.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #4
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
Delete, move, or expand storage?
| Option | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Delete | Games you will not play soon. | You must download or reinstall them later. |
| USB extended storage | Archiving PS5 games and playing PS4 games directly. | PS5 games must be copied back to console storage before playing. |
| Compatible M.2 SSD | Keeping additional PS5 and PS4 games immediately playable. | Requires compatible hardware and installation. |
To move a game, open Game Library, highlight the title, press the controller’s Options button, select Move Games and Apps, choose a destination, and select Move.
Formatting a USB drive as PS5 extended storage erases its existing data, so copy anything important elsewhere first. An installed compatible M.2 SSD can store and launch both PS5 and PS4 games. Check Sony’s current requirements before buying or installing one; see PS5 storage support.
How much free space is required?
There is no universal number. The requirement varies by game, edition, patches, language packs, and add-ons, and installation may need temporary working space beyond the final installed size.
To check a title’s requirement, open Game Library, select the game, choose the … menu, select View Product, and check the minimum free-space requirement shown on the right. Check available capacity under Settings > Storage.
Troubleshooting redownload problems
The game is missing from your library
- Sign in to the account that bought or claimed the game.
- Check transaction history.
- Check whether the game is hidden.
- Check Console Sharing and Offline Play.
- Restore licenses.
- Check PlayStation Network status and update system software.
Purchased games should appear in the library, but a PlayStation Plus catalog title is not the same as a permanent purchase. Consult Sony’s downloaded-game troubleshooting guide.
Best Value
- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
The game shows a padlock
Common causes include using the wrong account, an inactive PlayStation Plus subscription, a title leaving the applicable Plus catalog, disabled Console Sharing and Offline Play, or a license problem. Restore licenses before considering more destructive recovery steps.
Restore licenses
- Open Settings > Users and Accounts > Other.
- Select Restore Licenses.
- Choose the relevant licenses.
You can also highlight the game on the home screen or in the library, press Options, and select Restore License. Restoring licenses does not delete saved data. It is useful but not a guarantee if the account, subscription, region, or PSN service is the actual problem. See Restore licenses on PlayStation.
The download is stuck or will not start
- Open the control center and select Downloads/Uploads.
- Pause the download, then select Resume.
- If necessary, choose Cancel and Delete, then start it again from Game Library.
- Check PSN service status and available storage.
- Install any system-software update.
- Test the connection at Settings > Network > Connection Status > Test Internet Connection.
- If the problem persists, use Safe Mode’s Clear Cache and Rebuild Database option.
The icon remains after deletion
A stale icon does not necessarily mean the full game is still installed. Rebuilding the database can help remove an icon that remains after deletion. Do not jump straight to a factory reset.
Recommended Free Tools
PlayStation Plus games are a special case
A Plus title may be a monthly game you claimed or a game accessed through a catalog. You can redownload it only while the relevant entitlement remains valid—for example, while the subscription is active and, where applicable, while the title remains available in the catalog. If a Plus game is locked, check subscription status and availability before restoring licenses.
Reset warnings
- Restore Default Settings restores settings but does not delete games, apps, screenshots, videos, or saved data.
- Reset PS5 deletes all user data and returns the console to its original state.
- Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) deletes user data and removes the PS5 system software.
These are not routine game-deletion tools. Back up saves and use them only for appropriate last-resort recovery situations.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
