Will I Lose Saved Data If I Delete a Game on PS5?

If you’re a PlayStation 5 owner, you’ve probably faced the frustrating issue of running out of storage space.

With newer games requiring massive amounts of storage, it’s common to consider uninstalling games to free up room for new ones. 

But here’s the burning question: Will deleting a game on PS5 erase your saved data?

Let’s dive into the details and give you a clear answer so you can manage your game library without any unwanted surprises.

Also Read: How to Fix the Black Screen of Death on Your PS5: A Step-by-Step Guide

Will I Lose Saved Data If I Delete a Game on PS5?

The short and simple answer is: No, deleting a game on your PS5 does not automatically delete your saved data.

Sony has designed the PlayStation 5 system to store game data and save data separately. 

When you delete a game, only the game files are removed, but your progress is still safely stored on your console. This means that if you decide to reinstall the game later, you can pick up right where you left off.

However, if you manually delete the saved game data from your console, it will be gone for good unless you have backed it up.

How to Manage Saved Game Data on PS5

Knowing how to locate and manage your saved data is crucial for ensuring you never lose progress. Here’s how you can access it:

1. Go to Settings – Navigate to the gear icon at the top right of your PS5 home screen.

2. Select ‘Saved Data and Game/App Settings’ – This menu houses all game save data.

3. Choose Your Storage Option:

• Saved Data (PS5): View and manage saved data stored on your PS5’s internal SSD.

• Saved Data (PS4): Manage save data for PS4 games played on your PS5.

• Cloud Storage: If you have PlayStation Plus, your saves can be backed up and retrieved from the cloud.

• USB Storage: You can manually copy and store save files onto an external USB drive.

By understanding where your saved data is stored, you can delete games confidently, knowing your progress remains intact.

How to Back Up Your Saved Game Data

Even though your saved data remains on the PS5 after uninstalling a game, it’s always a good idea to back it up. Here are the best ways to ensure your game progress is never lost:

Cloud Storage (Requires PlayStation Plus)

One of the best features of PlayStation Plus is automatic cloud backups. If you’re a subscriber, your save data is regularly uploaded to the cloud, protecting it from accidental deletion or hardware failures.

To enable cloud backups:

1. Go to Settings > ‘Saved Data and Game/App Settings’

2. Select ‘Saved Data (PS5)’ or ‘Saved Data (PS4)’

3. Choose ‘Auto-Upload’ to ensure your save data is backed up automatically

With this setting turned on, you can restore your save data anytime, even if you delete it from your console.

External USB Drive Backup

If you don’t have PlayStation Plus or prefer physical backups, you can save your game data to a USB drive:

1. Insert a USB drive into your PS5.

2. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Saved Data and Game/App Settings.’

3. Select ‘Saved Data (PS5)’ or ‘Saved Data (PS4).’

4. Choose ‘Copy to USB Drive.’

This method allows you to store your game progress safely and move it to another PS5 if needed.

How to Redownload Deleted Games on PS5

If you’ve uninstalled a game and want to play it again, redownloading is easy:

1. Go to Your Game Library – Find the ‘Library’ tab on your PS5 home screen.

2. Select ‘Purchased’ Games – This lists all the games you’ve bought and downloaded before.

3. Download the Game Again – Find the game you want and click the ‘Download’ button.

As long as you haven’t deleted your saved data manually, your progress will be restored once the game is reinstalled.

What Happens If I Delete Saved Data on PS5?

If you manually delete your saved data, it cannot be recovered unless you have a backup.

To delete saved game data:

1. Go to Settings > ‘Saved Data and Game/App Settings.’

2. Select ‘Saved Data (PS5)’ or ‘Saved Data (PS4).’

3. Choose ‘Delete’ to remove the save files permanently.

Before deleting, make sure you truly no longer need the saved data, or back it up to cloud or USB storage.

Will I Lose Saved Data If I Delete a Game on PS5 FAQs

Can I uninstall a PS5 game without losing save data?

Yes! Uninstalling a game does not remove its save data. Your progress remains stored on your PS5 unless you manually delete it.

What happens if I delete a game and then reinstall it?

Your save data remains intact, allowing you to pick up where you left off as long as you haven’t manually deleted the save file.

Can I recover deleted saved game data?

If you have PlayStation Plus cloud storage enabled, you can recover deleted saves. Otherwise, if you backed it up on a USB drive, you can restore it manually.

Will deleting a user on PS5 remove saved games?

Yes, deleting a user profile from your PS5 also deletes all their saved game data. Make sure to back up any important saves before removing a user.

How do I free up space on my PS5 without losing my game progress?

You can delete games to clear storage while keeping your save data. To create additional space, consider using an external hard drive for game storage.

Final Thoughts

The PlayStation 5 makes it easy to manage storage without worrying about losing game progress. When you delete a game, your save data stays safely stored unless you remove it manually.

By taking advantage of cloud storage, USB backups, and smart storage management, you can keep playing your favorite games without fear of losing progress. Now you can confidently uninstall games, knowing that your saves are secure and ready to go whenever you need them!

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Connecting Your PS5 Controller