How Can I Factory Reset My PS4 Pro Without Losing Game Data?

Factory Resetting Your PS4 Pro Without Losing Game Data

Trying to wipe your PS4 Pro clean without saying goodbye to your precious game data? I’ve got your back. Better get your backup game on point first! You’ll want to secure all those saved games and cool screenshots before you dive into the reset zone. Trust a USB drive or PlayStation Plus\’s trusty cloud to hold onto your prized digital possessions.

Getting it Done the Settings Way

Before jumping in, do yourself a favor and make sure your PS4 isn\’t still linked as your primary console. Just head to ‘Settings,’ then ‘Account Management,’ and deactivate it there. It\’s like finding the owner\’s manual before selling your ride.

Now, zero in on \’Initialization\’ under \’Settings.\’ Here\’s where the magic happens: you can just restore the default settings if you’re not feeling the full reset commitment. But if you’re ready to go all-in, select ‘Initialize PS4.’ This is your go-big-or-go-home move. It’ll scrub all personal data, and you might want to put on a movie or grab a snack while it works its magic.

Or Give Safe Mode a Shot

First things first: make sure your PS4 Pro is totally powered down. Seriously, not just resting! Press the power button for those few extra beeps that tell you it\’s off for real.

Optional but thorough: Unplug all cables. That’s right, give them a break for a couple of minutes. Once you\’re plugged back in, boot up in Safe Mode by holding that power button until you hear two beeps.

In Safe Mode, use a USB cable to get your controller talking to the system, and choose ‘Initialize PS4.’ Go for the \’Full\’ option if you mean business—the kind that leaves no data trace behind. Sit tight while it does its thing, and in no time, you’ll see the initial setup screen as if it’s brand new.

A Few Friendly Reminders:

• If you just want to cleanup system settings, without the stress of losing your games, a simple restore will do.
• Ensure your external devices are temporarily unplugged while resetting, just to keep things uncomplicated.
• Patience is key here as the process could be short or take a while, depending on how much stuff you’ve got packed in there.

Honestly, these steps are solid and will get you closer to either solving that weird glitch or just prepping your PS4 for its next adventure with a new gamer. Cheers to a refreshed console!

Thinking of resetting your PS4 Pro without losing your game saves? No probs, just follow these steps:

1. Backing Up Your Game Saves:
   • First up, connect your PS4 Pro online and log into your PlayStation Network (PSN) account.
   • Head over to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage.
   • Pick Upload to Online Storage and choose the games you want to keep safe. Just follow the instructions afterward.
   • No PS Plus? No worries. Just grab a USB stick, select Copy to USB Storage Device, and back up your stuff there.
2. Deactivate the Console:
   • Swing by Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4 > Deactivate, and confirm when prompted.
3. Time for the Reset:
   • Go into Settings > Initialization > Initialize PS4.
   • Choose Full for a complete factory reset—grab some popcorn, it’ll take a while but does a thorough job.
   • Just go with the flow and follow the on-screen steps to get it done.
4. Get Your Game Saves Back:
   • Once your PS4 Pro is all set up fresh, sign back into your PSN account.
   • Navigate to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in Online Storage or Saved Data on USB Storage Device.
   • Choose Download to System Storage or Copy to System Storage and bring your saved games back to life.

And there you have it! You’ll bring back your PS4 Pro to its factory glory, all while keeping your game saves safely intact. If you hit any snags, the PlayStation support page is your friend. Just make sure everything’s backed up before you dive in—once you reset, there’s no going back.

Factory resetting your PS4 Pro might sound daunting, but it’s totally doable without losing your game data. Let’s break it down and make sure you know exactly what to do.

Why Bother with a Factory Reset?

There might be a few reasons you\’re considering this: selling your console, fixing some annoying software issues, or maybe just freshening things up to get it running smoothly again. Those are all legit.

Get Sorted Before You Reset

1. Backup Your Stuff!

   The last thing you want is to have your saves disappear into the digital abyss. Pop in an external storage device or use cloud saves (yep, you’ll need PS Plus for this one) to back up everything from your games to screenshots. Remember, if it’s gone, it’s gone—so be thorough!

2. Deactivate the Console as Your Primary PS4

   Especially important if you\’re handing it over to someone else. Head over to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4, and then hit Deactivate. This step’s key if you’re planning to change owners.

How to Factory Reset Like a Boss

Method 1: Going the Easy Way via Settings

• Find Your Way to Settings: From your PS4’s main screen, just scroll over to Settings (that little gear icon).
• Pick Your Poison in Initialization: You can either go for \’Restore Default Settings\’ (easy peasy, keeps your data) or \’Initialize PS4\’ if you want a complete do-over. If you’re selling or dealing with something pesky, the full wipe is your friend.
• Final Steps: Go through the prompts to approve the reset. This can take a bit, so maybe grab a coffee or something. Seriously, don’t pull the plug while it’s working. That could spell trouble for your console.

Method 2: Safe Mode—For When Things Get Dicey

• Boot into Safe Mode: If your PS4 is giving you attitude and won’t start, power it off. Then, press and hold the power button until you hear a second beep (about 7 seconds in, give or take).
• Choose What You Need: Plug a controller in via USB, and pick the reset option that suits you:
• \’Restore Default Settings\’ for something simple.
• \’Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software)\’ if you want to go all out with a fresh start, using a USB for the software reinstall.

Things to Keep in Mind After Resetting

• Your PS4 Pro will stay up-to-date with the latest system software.
• Planning on keeping it? Make sure to log back into your PSN account.
• Configure your display settings again post-reset, especially if you’re into that snazzy 4K/HDR lifestyle.

Troubleshooting—Because Stuff Happens

Stuck in the Middle of Reset?

Could be a corrupted file or something got messed up during the process. Try jumping into Safe Mode to have another go, or use a USB with the latest software from PlayStation’s site.

Forgot to Backup?

Ugh, that’s rough. If the data’s wiped, it’s tough luck. Always double-check those backups next time.

A Few Handy Tips

• For those stellar 4K/HDR visuals, make sure you’ve got HDMI 2.0+ cables and that your TV can handle it.
• If you’re selling, give the console a good clean and include the original goodies—it’ll fetch you a better price.

Resetting doesn’t have to be a pain. Follow these steps, and you’ll have your PS4 Pro running like it just rolled off the shelf.