If you need to free up storage space or want to remove games you no longer play from your system, deleting instant play games you’ve downloaded is a quick and easy process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to deleting instant play games on your console.
Check Your Storage
Before deleting games, first check how much storage you have used up and what games are taking up the most space. Here’s how to check your storage on different consoles:
PlayStation 4
Go to Settings > Storage to view your total hard drive space and space used. This will show a list of applications and games with their install size so you can identify large games to delete.
PlayStation 5
Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage to see your total and used space. Select Games and Apps to view your installed games and their size.
Xbox One
Go to Settings > System > Storage to identify how much internal or external drive space you have remaining. Select any drive and choose “Sort by size” to see which games are taking up the most space.
Xbox Series X/S
Go to Settings > System > Storage to view your total and used space on your console and expansion card (if you have one). Select Games & Apps > Sort by Size to identify large games.
Nintendo Switch
Go to System Settings > Data Management > Manage Software to see a list of your downloaded games and their size. This can help identify which large games to target for deletion.
Delete Instant Play Games
Once you’ve identified one or more instant play games you want to delete, use these steps to remove them from your console:
PlayStation 4
- Go to your Game Library.
- Highlight the game you want to delete.
- Press the Options button on your controller.
- Select Delete.
- Confirm that you want to delete the game.
PlayStation 5
- Go to your Game Library.
- Press the Options button on the game you want to delete.
- Select Delete.
- Confirm that you want to delete the game.
Xbox One
- Go to My Games & Apps.
- Select the game you want to uninstall.
- Press the Menu button (with 3 lines) on your controller.
- Select Uninstall.
- Confirm to uninstall the game.
Xbox Series X/S
- Go to My Games & Apps.
- Press the Menu button on the game you want to delete.
- Select Uninstall.
- Confirm that you want to uninstall the game.
Nintendo Switch
- Go to the HOME menu.
- Highlight the software you want to delete and press the Plus (+) button.
- Select Delete Software.
- Select Delete again to confirm.
Reinstall Deleted Games
If you change your mind later and want to play a game you deleted, you can easily redownload it:
PlayStation 4
Go to your Game Library and select the Purchased tab to redownload any games you own.
PlayStation 5
Go to your Game Library, go to your Collection, and select the Purchased tab to redownload deleted games.
Xbox One
Go to My Games & Apps > Games > All Owned Games to reinstall any game you own.
Xbox Series X/S
Go to My Games & Apps > Games and select All Owned Games to redownload a deleted game.
Nintendo Switch
Go to the Nintendo eShop, go to your Account, and redownload any previously purchased software.
Manage Your Storage
In addition to deleting games you no longer play, here are some tips to better manage your console’s storage space:
- Uninstall game add-ons and expansions for games you no longer play.
- Delete old game captures and videos if taking up significant space.
- Uninstall companion apps for games you no longer have.
- Move Xbox One and PS4 games to an external USB drive.
- Use cloud storage on Xbox Series X/S or PS5 to store less-played games.
- Upgrade to a larger internal SSD or expansion card if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my save data be deleted?
No, your saved game data is not deleted when you uninstall a game. If you reinstall the game later, your save data will still be intact.
Can I delete part of a game?
Unfortunately you cannot delete just part of a game. Your only option is to fully uninstall the game to regain its storage space.
What happens to DLC and add-ons?
Any DLC or add-ons purchased for the game will also be deleted when you uninstall the base game. You can redownload these when you reinstall the game.
Can I delete pre-installed system games?
No, you cannot delete system software or pre-installed games that came bundled with your console. You can only delete games you have downloaded yourself.
Will trophies/achievements be lost?
No, earned trophies and achievements are stored on your account profile, not locally on your console. These are not lost when deleting a game.
Conclusion
Deleting unused instant play games is a quick and easy way to free up storage space on your console. Make sure to check your storage usage beforehand and identify low priority games that can be removed. With just a few button presses, you can uninstall games you no longer want while keeping your save data intact. And any games can easily be redownloaded later if you want to play again.