You can delete a PS4 account in two ways, depending on whether you want to keep the console or remove everything from it

A PS4 account deletion is permanent and removes all your profile data, trophies, saved games, and purchase history from that console. Sony does not restore deleted accounts. Before you start, decide whether you want to delete just the account while keeping the console, or wipe the entire console clean. The steps are different, and you cannot undo either one.

If you are selling the console, giving it away, or sharing it with someone who needs a fresh start, you will likely want to delete the account. If you are just stepping away from gaming on that particular PS4 but might come back, consider deactivating the account instead — that keeps your data intact on Sony's servers.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting a PS4 account removes all profile data, trophies, and saved games from that console permanently, and Sony cannot restore it.
  • You can delete a single account while keeping the console active, or factory reset the entire console to remove all accounts at once.
  • If you own the console, you need admin access to delete any account; if you do not own it, you can only delete your own account.
  • Before deletion, back up any saved games you want to keep to a USB drive or PlayStation Plus cloud storage.
  • Deactivating an account is reversible and keeps your data on Sony's servers; deletion is permanent.

Delete a single account from your PS4

Go to Settings on your PS4 home screen. Scroll down and select Users and Accounts, then choose Users. You will see a list of all accounts on the console. Select the account you want to delete.

Choose Delete. The PS4 will ask you to confirm. Select Delete again. The account and all its data — saved games, trophies, screenshots, and video clips — will be removed from the console when ready. This does not affect other accounts on the same PS4.

If you are the console owner and you are deleting someone else's account, you will need your admin password. If you are deleting your own account and you are not the console owner, you can do this without a password, but the console owner can see that you did it.

Back up saved games before you delete

Deleting an account removes saved games from the console, but you can save them first if you have a PlayStation Plus subscription. Go to Settings, then process Saved Data Management, then Saved Data in System Storage. Select the game, then Upload to Online Storage. This copies the save to Sony's servers under your account.

If you do not have PlayStation Plus, you can back up saves to a USB drive instead. Go to Settings, then process Saved Data Management, then Saved Data in System Storage. Select the game, then Copy to USB Storage Device. You will need a USB drive with at least 1 GB of free space. After you delete the account, you can restore these saves to a new account on the same console or on a different PS4.

Factory reset the entire console

If you are selling or giving away the PS4, you may want to remove all accounts and data at once. Go to Settings, scroll to System, then select Reset PS4. You will see two options: Reset This PS4 and Restore Default Settings.

Restore Default Settings removes all user accounts, games, and settings but keeps the system software. Reset This PS4 (sometimes labeled Full Factory Reset) removes everything and reinstalls the system software from scratch. The full reset takes longer but is more thorough if you are concerned about data recovery. Either option is permanent and cannot be undone.

You must be logged in as the console owner to perform a factory reset. The PS4 will ask you to confirm and may require your password. After the reset completes, the console will restart and show the setup screen, as if it were brand new.

Understand the difference between deletion and deactivation

Deleting an account removes it from the console only. Your account still exists on Sony's servers, but you cannot use it on that PS4 anymore. Deactivating an account keeps it on the console but prevents anyone from using it to play online or access PlayStation Plus features.

Deactivation is useful if you want to pause your account temporarily or if you are lending the console to someone and want to keep your data safe. To deactivate, go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Other, then Deactivate This PS4. You can reactivate the account later by signing in with your password.

If you delete the account instead, you will need to create a new one or sign in with a different account to use the console. You cannot recover the deleted account on that PS4.

What happens to your games and licenses after deletion

Games you purchased are tied to your account, not the console. When you delete the account, the games remain on the console, but no one can play them unless they own the game themselves or the account that purchased it is still active on the console.

If you set the PS4 as your Primary Console before deletion, other accounts on that console can still play your games. If you did not set it as primary, only your account could play them, so deleting the account locks those games. You can change the primary console setting in Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play before you delete the account if you want others to keep access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a deleted PS4 account?

No. Sony does not restore deleted accounts. Once you confirm deletion, the account is gone from that console permanently. Your account still exists on Sony's servers if you created it through the PlayStation Network website, but it will not appear on that PS4 again. If you need to use the account elsewhere, you can sign in on a different console.

What if I forgot the console owner's password?

You cannot delete another person's account without the console owner's password. If you are the console owner and forgot your password, go to the PlayStation Network website, select Sign In, then Can't sign in? You can reset your password using your email address or phone number. Once you reset it, you can return to the console and delete the account.

Will deleting my account remove it from other PS4s I own?

No. Deleting an account removes it only from the specific console where you performed the deletion. If you signed in on multiple PS4s, the account still exists on those other consoles. You must delete it separately on each one if you want to remove it everywhere.

Can I delete an account if I have an active PlayStation Plus subscription?

Yes, but your subscription will end. Any remaining time on your PlayStation Plus membership is lost when you delete the account. If you want to pause your subscription instead, go to the PlayStation Network website, sign in, and manage your subscription there without deleting the account.

What should I do before giving away my PS4?

Back up any saved games you want to keep, then factory reset the console. Go to Settings > System > Reset PS4 and choose Restore Default Settings or Reset This PS4. This removes all accounts and data. The new owner will see the setup screen and can create their own account without any trace of your data.