Deleting a game on Roblox takes two steps: unpublish it from the platform, then delete the files from your account
When you unpublish a game, it stops appearing in search results and becomes inaccessible to other players. The game page disappears from the Roblox website, but the project files remain in your account until you delete them separately. Most creators unpublish when they want to take a game offline temporarily or permanently, then delete the files if they have no plans to bring it back.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you're using Roblox Studio on a computer or the Roblox website itself. Both routes take less than a minute once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Unpublishing a game removes it from public view but keeps the project files in your account until you delete them separately.
- You can unpublish through Roblox Studio by opening the game, clicking File, then selecting Unpublish Game.
- You can also unpublish through the Roblox website by going to your creations, finding the game, and clicking the three-dot menu next to Unpublish.
- Deleting the project files requires going to your account settings, finding the game in your creations list, and selecting Delete.
- Once deleted, you cannot recover the game files, so make sure you have backups if you might want to use the code or assets later.
Unpublishing a game through Roblox Studio
Open the game in Roblox Studio on your computer. At the top left, click the File menu. Scroll down until you see Unpublish Game and click it. A confirmation window will appear asking if you're sure — click Unpublish again to confirm.
Once unpublished, the game no longer appears in search results or on your profile's public games list. Players who have the direct link to the game page will see an error message saying the game is no longer available. The project itself stays in Studio so you can edit it, republish it later, or keep it as a backup.
Unpublishing through the Roblox website
Go to www.roblox.com and log into your account. Click your username in the top right corner and select Creations from the dropdown menu. Find the game you want to unpublish in the list and click the three-dot menu icon next to it. Select Unpublish from the options that appear.
A confirmation message will ask if you want to unpublish the game. Click Unpublish to proceed. The game will be removed from public view immediately, though it may take a few minutes for it to disappear from search results and recommendations across the platform.
Deleting the project files from your account
After unpublishing, go back to your Creations page on the Roblox website. Find the unpublished game in your list — it will still appear here even though it's no longer public. Click the three-dot menu next to the game name and select Delete. A warning will appear reminding you that this action cannot be undone.
Click Delete to confirm. The game and all its associated files will be permanently removed from your account. This includes the place files, any scripts you wrote, and any custom assets you uploaded to that specific game.
What happens to players who had the game bookmarked
If a player bookmarked your game before you unpublished it, the bookmark will remain in their account but will no longer work. When they click it, they'll see a message saying the game is no longer available. The bookmark doesn't disappear automatically — players have to remove it themselves if they want it gone.
If you republish the game later under the same name, players' old bookmarks will work again and point to the new version. If you create a completely new game with a different name, old bookmarks won't redirect to it.
Backing up your game before deletion
If you think you might want to use the code, scripts, or assets from your game in the future, save a copy of the project before you delete it. In Roblox Studio, click File and then Save As to create a local backup on your computer. This saves the .rbxl file to your hard drive, which you can open later in Studio even after deleting it from Roblox.
You can also take screenshots of your game's layout, copy important scripts into a text editor, or export any custom models you created. Once the game is deleted from your Roblox account, these backups are your only way to recover the work.
The difference between unpublishing and deleting
Unpublishing removes the game from public view but keeps it in your account. You can edit it, republish it, or leave it as a private backup. Deleting removes the game entirely from your account and cannot be reversed. Most creators unpublish first to test whether they really want the game gone, then delete later if they're certain.
If you unpublish a game and change your mind, you can republish it by opening it in Studio, clicking File, and selecting Publish to Roblox. The game will return to public view with the same URL it had before, and any old bookmarks or links will work again. Deletion offers no such recovery option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unpublish a game without deleting it?
Yes. Unpublishing removes the game from public view but keeps the project files in your account. You can edit it, republish it later, or leave it as a backup. Deletion is a separate step that permanently removes the files.
What happens to my game's data and player statistics when I unpublish?
Unpublishing doesn't erase your game's data or statistics. That information stays in your account. If you republish the game later, the statistics will still be there. Deleting the game removes the statistics permanently.
Can I recover a game after I delete it?
No. Once you delete a game from your account, Roblox does not provide a recovery option. Your only way to restore it is if you saved a backup copy of the project file to your computer before deletion.
How long does it take for a game to disappear from search results after unpublishing?
The game stops appearing in new search results immediately, but it may take a few minutes for it to disappear from recommendations and related game lists. Direct links to the game page will show an error right away.
If I unpublish my game, will players lose their progress?
Players who were in your game when you unpublished it can finish their session, but they won't be able to rejoin. Any progress they made in that session is saved. If you republish the game later, they can play again and their saved progress will still be there.