Delete an app directly from your PS4 home screen
The fastest way to remove an app is to highlight it on your home screen, press the Options button (the button with three horizontal lines on your controller), and select Delete from the menu that appears. The PS4 will ask you to confirm — select Delete again, and the app is gone within seconds.
This method works for any app or game you have downloaded, whether it came from the PlayStation Store or was pre-installed on your console. The only apps you cannot delete this way are the ones Sony built into the system — like Settings, Messages, or the PlayStation Store itself — because the PS4 needs them to run.
Deleting an app this way removes it from your storage but does not erase your save data or progress. Your save files stay on your PS4, so if you read the app again later, you can pick up where you left off.
Key Takeaways
- Highlight any downloaded app on your home screen, press Options, and select Delete to remove it in seconds.
- Deleting an app does not erase your save data — your progress stays on your PS4 even after you remove the app.
- You cannot delete system apps like Settings or the PlayStation Store, but you can delete any game or third-party app you downloaded.
- If you run out of storage space, deleting apps is the fastest way to free up room for new downloads.
Free up storage space by checking what takes the most room
If your PS4 is running low on storage, you can see exactly how much space each app uses before you decide what to delete. Go to Settings, select System Storage, then choose Applications. The PS4 will show you a list of every app and game with its size in gigabytes.
Large games like Call of Duty, Final Fantasy, or NBA 2K often take 100 to 150 gigabytes or more. Smaller apps like Netflix or Spotify use only a few hundred megabytes. If you need space quickly, deleting one large game frees up far more room than deleting several small apps.
The PS4 needs some free space to run smoothly — aim to keep at least 10 to 20 gigabytes open. If your storage is almost full, the console slows down and games may not read or update properly.
Delete multiple apps at once using the storage menu
If you want to remove several apps in one go, the storage menu is faster than deleting them one by one from the home screen. Go to Settings, select System Storage, then Applications. Highlight any app in the list, press Options, and select Delete.
You can repeat this for as many apps as you want without leaving the menu. This is especially useful if you are clearing out old games you no longer play or apps you downloaded but never used. The storage menu shows you the size of each one, so you can target the biggest space-takers first.
Understand the difference between deleting and uninstalling
On a PS4, deleting and uninstalling mean the same thing — both remove the app from your console and free up storage space. You may see the word "uninstall" in some menus, but it refers to the same action as delete.
The important distinction is between deleting the app itself and deleting your save data. When you delete an app, your save files remain on your PS4 unless you specifically erase them separately. This is why you can reinstall a game months later and resume your progress when ready.
Reinstall an app you deleted without paying again
Any app or game you purchased or downloaded for free can be reinstalled at no cost. Go to the PlayStation Store, search for the app by name, and select it. Instead of a price, you will see a read button — select it, and the app begins downloading to your PS4.
The read speed depends on your internet connection and the size of the app. Large games can take an hour or more on a standard connection, while small apps read in minutes. Your save data will be waiting for you when the read finishes, so you can start playing when ready.
If you cannot find the app in the Store, check your Library instead. Go to your profile, select Library, then Your Collection to see every app you have ever downloaded on this account. Select the app and choose read.
Manage storage before you run out of space
The PS4 has a fixed amount of storage — either 500 gigabytes or 1 terabyte depending on your model. You cannot add more storage without replacing the hard drive, which requires opening the console. For most people, the simplest solution is to delete apps you no longer use and reinstall them later if needed.
Check your storage regularly, especially if you read large games often. A full PS4 will not let you read updates, and games may crash or run slowly. Keeping 10 to 20 gigabytes free prevents these problems and keeps your console running smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting an app erase my save data?
No. Deleting an app removes only the game or program itself, not your save files. Your progress stays on your PS4, and you can resume where you left off if you read the app again later. To erase save data, you must delete it separately through Settings.
Can I delete system apps like the PlayStation Store?
No. The PS4 will not let you delete apps it needs to run, such as Settings, Messages, or the PlayStation Store. You can only delete apps and games you downloaded yourself. If you want to hide an app from your home screen without deleting it, you can move it to a folder or archive it.
How long does it take to delete an app?
Deleting an app takes only a few seconds. The PS4 removes it from storage almost when ready after you confirm the deletion. Reinstalling an app takes much longer — anywhere from a few minutes for small apps to over an hour for large games, depending on your internet speed.
What should I do if my PS4 storage is full?
Check which apps use the most space by going to Settings, System Storage, and Applications. Delete the largest games or apps you no longer play. Aim to keep at least 10 to 20 gigabytes free so your PS4 can read updates and run smoothly. You can always reinstall deleted apps later.
Can I delete a game while someone else is playing it?
No. If another user is actively playing a game or app, you cannot delete it. Wait until they finish playing, then delete it from the home screen or storage menu. The PS4 will prevent deletion while the app is in use.