So you got a shiny PS5 but now you're staring at that dreaded "Not enough free space" message? Been there. Let me tell you, nothing kills gaming vibes faster than having to delete stuff just to try that new release. But hey, freeing up space doesn't have to be stressful. I remember when I first tried removing games on my PS5, I accidentally messed up my CoD install and had to redownload 200GB overnight. Lesson learned – that's why I'm breaking this down step-by-step. Whether you're clearing space for Hogwarts Legacy or just tidying up, here's everything about how to uninstall games on PS5 without breaking a sweat.
Why You Might Need to Uninstall PS5 Games
Look, Sony gave us that blazing-fast SSD, but let's be real – 667GB usable space ain't cutting it these days. Modern Warfare II alone eats 125GB! Here's why you'll inevitably need to uninstall games:
- Space emergencies: When you're 90% through downloading God of War Ragnarök and the console screams "storage full"
- Performance paranoia: Some folks swear a cluttered drive slows things down (jury's out, but I feel it sometimes)
- Game hoarder rehab: Face it, you ain't replaying that golf game from 2021
Funny story – last month I had to uninstall five games just to update NBA 2K23. That's when I realized mastering uninstalling games on PS5 is a survival skill.
Game Deletion vs. Game Hiding: Know the Difference
Before we dive in, let's clear up confusion. Sony gives you two options:
| Action | What It Does | Space Freed? | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uninstalling | Permanently removes game files from SSD | YES | Reclaiming storage |
| Hiding | Removes game icon from Home screen only | NO | Cleaning visual clutter |
I learned this the hard way when I "hid" Call of Duty thinking I'd freed space. Nope. Still hogging 100GB. Moral? Always choose delete when you need breathing room.
How to Uninstall Games on PS5: Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Alright, let's get practical. There are two main ways to uninstall games on PS5 – pick what suits your style.
Method 1: Delete Directly from Home Screen (Quick & Easy)
This is my go-to method when I'm in a hurry:
- From PS5 Home, highlight the game tile
- Press the Options button (three lines) on your controller
- Select "Delete" from the pop-up menu
- Confirm "Delete" when prompted (takes 2-5 seconds)
Boom. Done. Takes less time than brewing coffee. This method only works for games showing on your main Home row though.
Pro Tip: Press Square while hovering over multiple games to batch-delete! Found this out after individually deleting 12 indie games. Felt dumb.
Method 2: Uninstall via Game Library (For Hidden Games)
Can't find the game on Home? This saved me when hunting down that demo I'd forgotten:
- Go to your Game Library (rightmost icon on Home)
- Select "Your Collection" tab
- Find the game – use Search if needed
- Press Options button > "Delete"
- Confirm deletion
Annoyance alert: Why can't we multi-select here, Sony? Scrolling through 100+ titles is tedious.
What Gets Removed When You Uninstall?
Critical knowledge before you hit delete:
- GONE: Game application files, patches
- SAFE: Saved data (stored separately in System Storage)
- SAFE: Trophies (synced to PSN)
- SAFE: Screenshots/videos
When I deleted Horizon Forbidden West, my 80-hour save was right there waiting when I reinstalled. Phew.
Space Management: Beyond Just Uninstalling Games on PS5
Sometimes deleting games isn't enough. Here's how I manage my PS5 storage:
Check What's Hogging Space
- Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage
- Select "Games and Apps"
- Sort by size – shocking how big "Other" category gets
Delete Game Patches Separately
Did you know? You can remove patches without uninstalling the whole game:
- Highlight game > Options > Manage Game Content
- Uncheck patch files > Delete
Saved me 15GB on Elden Ring after that massive ray-tracing update.
Warning: Some games require latest patches to run. Check online first!
Add More Storage Like a Pro
If you're constantly deleting games, consider these upgrades:
| Solution | Cost Range | Capacity | Speed | My Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External USB HDD | $50-$150 | 2-5TB | Slow (PS4 games only) | Cheap but limited |
| M.2 SSD Expansion | $100-$300 | 1-4TB | PS5-fast (both PS4/PS5) | My recommendation - installed a 2TB WD_Black |
Common Problems When Uninstalling Games on PS5
Sometimes things go sideways. Here's fixes for issues I've battled:
"Delete" Option Grayed Out
- Close the game fully (check if it's running in background)
- Restart PS5 – works 90% of the time
- Try deleting via Safe Mode if still stuck
Deleted Game But Space Not Freed
Panicked when this happened after removing Gran Turismo 7:
- Rebuild database (Safe Mode > Option 5)
- Check if game is fully deleted in Storage settings
- Wait 5 minutes – sometimes SSD needs to recalibrate
Accidentally Deleted Wrong Game
We've all been there. Fix:
- Go to Library > Your Collection
- Find game > Download again
- Saved data remains intact (usually)
Internet speed determines your suffering duration.
PS5 Uninstall FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
- Small indie (5GB): 5-10 mins
- AAA game (80GB): 45-90 mins
- Monster like CoD (200GB): Grab a nap
What If Physical Disc Games? Any Differences?
Own discs? Uninstalling works exactly the same. Only difference:
- Reinstalling requires inserting the disc
- Disc acts as license check – still need it to play
- Saved data/storage benefits identical to digital
My buddy learned this hard way – sold his disc after uninstalling, then couldn't reinstall later. Don't be like Dave.
Alternative: Move Games to Extended Storage
If you hate redownloading, consider moving instead of uninstalling:
- Connect compatible USB drive (USB 3.0+, 250GB+)
- Go to Settings > Storage
- Select game > "Move to Extended Storage"
Pros: Faster than re-downloading
Cons: Can't play PS5 games from USB (only PS4 games run externally)
After Uninstalling: Reinstalling Made Simple
Changed your mind later? Easy:
- Go to Game Library > Your Collection
- Find the uninstalled game
- Select "Download"
- If physical disc, insert it first
Bonus: Downloads continue in rest mode. Set it overnight.
Final Reality Check
Let's be honest – Sony's storage management isn't perfect. The fact we need guides for how to uninstall games on PS5 shows they underestimated game sizes. But with these steps, you'll keep your console breathing. My routine? Every month I:
- Check storage stats
- Delete games I haven't touched in 60 days
- Move PS4 titles to external drive
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