Delete a game directly from your PS4 console

The fastest way to remove a game is through your PS4's storage menu. Go to Settings, then Storage, then System Storage, then Applications. You'll see every game installed on your console. Highlight the game you want to remove and press the Options button (the one with three horizontal lines) on your controller. Select Delete from the menu that appears, then confirm.

The entire process takes about 30 seconds. Your game will disappear from your library immediately, and the storage space it used becomes available again. You can reinstall the game later from your library or the PlayStation Store without losing your save data — deleting the game does not delete your saves.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a game from your PS4 frees up storage space but does not erase your save files, which stay on the console.
  • You can delete games through Settings > Storage > System Storage > Applications, then press Options and select Delete.
  • You can also delete games by highlighting them on your home screen, pressing Options, and selecting Delete from the context menu.
  • Reinstalling a deleted game downloads it fresh from the PlayStation Store and takes the same time as the original download.
  • If you share your PS4 with other users, deleting a game removes it for everyone on that console.

Delete a game from your home screen

You can also delete games without going into Settings. From your PS4 home screen, highlight the game tile you want to remove. Press the Options button on your controller. A menu will appear with several choices — select Delete. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

This method is quicker if you're already browsing your library and want to clean up space on the fly. The result is identical to deleting through Settings: the game is gone, but your save data remains.

Understand what happens to your save data

Deleting a game and deleting your save file are two separate actions. When you delete a game, the program itself is removed, but your save files stay on your PS4. This means you can reinstall the game later and pick up exactly where you left off.

If you want to delete both the game and your saves, you'll need to delete the save file separately. Go to Settings, then Saved Data and Game/App Settings, then Saved Data, then System Storage. Find the game, highlight it, press Options, and select Delete. This removes only the save file, not the game itself — but most people never need to do this.

Reinstall a game you've deleted

To get a deleted game back on your PS4, go to your Library (the menu option on your home screen). Find the game in your purchase history — it will show as owned even though it's not installed. Select it and choose Download. The game will reinstall to your console at whatever speed your internet connection allows.

You don't need to buy the game again. As long as your account owns it (either because you purchased it or because it came with PlayStation Plus), you can download it as many times as you want. Your save data will be waiting for you when the download finishes.

Free up storage space by deleting multiple games

If your PS4 is running low on storage, you can check how much space each game uses before deciding what to delete. In Settings > Storage > System Storage > Applications, each game shows its file size next to its name. Large games like Call of Duty or Final Fantasy can take 100 to 150 gigabytes, while smaller indie games might use only 10 to 20 gigabytes.

Deleting even one large game can free up enough space to install something new or improve your console's performance. PS4 performance can slow down when storage is nearly full, so deleting games you're not playing is one of the easiest ways to speed things up.

What happens when you delete a game on a shared console

If multiple people use the same PS4, deleting a game removes it for everyone on that console. The person who owns the game's license can reinstall it, but it won't be available to other users until it's downloaded again. If you share a PS4 with family members or roommates, check with them before deleting anything they might be playing.

Save files are tied to individual user accounts, so deleting a game doesn't affect anyone else's progress. Only the game itself disappears from the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting a game erase my progress and trophies?

No. Your save file and trophies stay on your PS4 even after you delete the game. When you reinstall it, your progress will be exactly as you left it. Trophies are tied to your account, not the game file, so they never disappear.

Can I delete a game while it's downloading or installing?

Yes. If a game is still downloading, you can cancel the download and delete the partial file. Go to your notifications or the download queue, find the game, and select cancel or delete. This stops the download and removes whatever has been downloaded so far.

How much storage space will I get back by deleting a game?

You'll get back the exact amount shown next to the game's name in your Applications list. Most games range from 30 to 150 gigabytes. Check the storage menu before deleting to see the exact size, so you know whether it's worth the space you'll recover.

Do I need to delete games to make room for PS Plus games?

Only if your storage is full. PS Plus games download the same way as purchased games — they need free space on your console. If you're out of room, delete games you're not playing, then download the PS Plus game you want.

What if I accidentally delete a game I still wanted?

You can reinstall it immediately from your Library. As long as you own it, the download option will be available. There's no time limit on reinstalling — you can delete and reinstall games as many times as you need.