If I Delete a Game on PS5, Do I Lose My Progress?
If I Delete a Game on PS5, Do I Lose My Progress?
4 Answers

If you’re wondering whether deleting a game on your PS5 wipes out your progress, you’re definitely not alone. Let’s break it down:
Does Deleting a Game on PS5 Delete Progress?
- Usually, your progress stays safe: When you delete a game on the PS5, your save files and settings are typically preserved. The PS5 keeps your save data separate from the game installation files, so even if you delete the game itself, your progress remains intact. You can reinstall the game later and pick up right where you left off.
- But here’s the catch: If you delete the game and its save data through the ‘Manage Saved Data’ option in the settings menu, or if the game and save data are on an external storage device that you clear out, then yes, your progress will be lost.
Why Doesn’t PS5 Automatically Delete Progress When Deleting a Game?
- Convenience: Lots of gamers hop between games and don’t want to lose their progress. By saving your progress separately, the PS5 makes it easy to return to your games without starting over, which is super handy.
- Storage flexibility: This system also gives you more control over storage. You can free up space by deleting games while keeping your save data. Later, reinstall the game without losing any progress.
How to Properly Delete a Game on PS5 Without Losing Progress
- From the home screen: Highlight the game thumbnail, press the ‘Options’ button on the DualSense controller, and select ‘Delete.’ Your save data will remain intact.
- From the game library: Go to the game library, highlight the game you want to delete, press ‘Options,’ and then select ‘Delete.’
- From storage management: Go to ‘Settings’ via the gear icon, choose ‘Storage,’ then ‘Console Storage > Games and Applications.’ Check the box next to the game you want to delete and hit ‘Delete.’
How to Completely Delete a Game and Its Progress on PS5
- Using the ‘Manage Saved Data’ option: Head into ‘Settings,’ tap on ‘Storage,’ then ‘Manage Saved Data.’ Pick the game you want to erase, click ‘Delete,’ and confirm. This wipes everything—save files, settings, the works.
- Through the PlayStation App: Open the PS App, tap the gear icon under the ‘Play’ tab, click ‘PS5 Storage,’ pick your game, and click ‘Delete Game.’ To delete save data, go to the ‘Saved Data’ section in the app.
Notes on Deleting Games and Progress on PS5
- Backup is your best friend: Even though PS5 saves your progress after deletion, it’s smart to back up important game data. Use external storage or PlayStation Plus cloud storage for peace of mind.
- Double-check before hitting delete: Once a game and its progress are gone, they’re gone for good. Make sure you’re deleting the right thing.
- Manage your cloud saves: If you’re using PlayStation Plus cloud storage, keep an eye on the storage limit. Clearing out old saves can free up space for new ones.
So, to sum up, your game progress is generally safe when you delete a game from your PS5, as long as you follow the right steps. Happy gaming!

Hey, so you’ve got this PS5, and you’re wondering what happens to your game progress when you delete a game. Trust me, you’re not alone in this. Let’s dive into how the console manages your game and save files, and don’t worry—it’s really straightforward once you get the hang of it.
First up, let’s talk about game files versus save data. Game files are essentially the guts of the game. When you decide to clean house and delete a game from your PS5, you’re just chucking these files out the window. Now, save data—this is the treasure trove where all your hard-earned progress lives. You know, your completed levels, all those cool items you’ve found—it’s your gaming diary, stored separately from the game files.
Here’s the kicker: uninstalling a game doesn’t mean you’re saying goodbye to your progress. Your save data sticks around on the PS5. So if, one day, you decide to reinstall that game you swore off forever, you’ll still have your progress waiting for you, like an old friend.
What really matters is how the PS5 separates game files from save data. It’s designed to let you free up space without it feeling like you just threw hours of gameplay out the window. And let’s be real, that’s a lifesaver when you’re running out of room.
Now, if you’re anxious about losing your save data, there are a couple of hacks to keep it safe. Got a PlayStation Plus subscription? You’re golden because your save data can automatically zip up to the cloud. No subscription? No worry—you can transfer your save files onto a USB drive for a little peace of mind. It’s like having a safety net.
Honestly, I was relieved when I found out that deleting games doesn’t mess with my progress. It’s a smart setup, giving us flexibility in managing storage without worrying about throwing away all those epic accomplishments.
So there you have it. You can say goodbye to game files without losing your progress. Hope this makes things clear—and happy gaming!

So, you might be wondering—if you delete a game from your PS5, does your saved progress go poof too? Actually, nope. When you uninstall a game, your progress usually stays safe and sound since it’s stored separately, either on your console or up in the cloud if you’ve got PS Plus. But, disaster can strike if you aren’t careful. Let’s dive into the details.
Here’s the thing: your game files and saved data live in different places. Uninstalling zaps just the game, leaving your save files untouched. Plus, if you’re a PS Plus subscriber, your saves might be backed up online. It’s like having a little safety net for your data.
But hold up—progress can disappear if you mess up. If you accidentally delete save files yourself or if your console’s storage fails without a backup, your hard-earned progress could be toast. And yeah, corrupted saves because of system hiccups can ruin your day too.
Want to keep your saves safe when clearing some space? Before you hit delete, make sure your data is backed up somewhere. You can check your saves in the storage settings, or copy them to a USB drive if you’re not using PS Plus cloud storage. Once you reinstall a game, it’s a cinch to restore your saves from wherever they’re stored.
If you do lose progress, don’t freak out just yet. You might still be able to grab those saves from the cloud or fix any file weirdness by rebuilding your console’s database.
Here’s a pro tip: when deleting a game, navigate to it on the home screen, hit the OPTIONS button, and choose “Delete.” That way, you take out the game but leave your saved data intact.
What’s really key here is remembering that erasing a game doesn’t wipe out your progress. Always have a backup plan, whether it’s PS Plus or a trusty USB drive, and keep an eye on those settings to sidestep accidental deletions.
Follow these tips and you’ll be managing your PS5 storage like a champ without risking your progress.

You might be worried that deleting a game on your PS5 could wipe out all those hours of progress, but fear not! Getting rid of a game from your console doesn’t touch your saved data. That means your achievements, settings, and all those hard-fought victories are safe and sound.
Now, here’s the deal: your saved data lives separately from the game files, so when you uninstall a game, you’re just tossing out the files that are needed to run the game—not the progress you’ve made. Want to keep it ultra-safe? Check out your cloud storage if you’re rocking a PlayStation Plus subscription. Most likely, your data’s chilling up there in the cloud. Just take a trip through your settings under Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5).
And hey, if you’re like me and love a bit of extra precaution, you can always do a manual backup to a handy USB storage device. This gives you a nice little security blanket just in case.
But don’t get too delete-happy! If you manually nix the saved data, your progress will take a hit. So, it’s a smart move to regularly make backups. For more in-depth stuff, the PlayStation support site is a goldmine, plus there are tons of other helpful guides out there.
To dig deeper:
- PlayStation Official Support
- Lifewire Guide on Deleting PS5 Games