Where your Pokémon save lives and why you might want to delete it

Your Pokémon save file is stored on your device itself, not in the cloud, so deleting it means the game has no record of your progress. The save sits in a specific folder that the game reads every time you play. You might want to delete it to start fresh, to free up space, or to remove a save before selling or giving away your device.

The steps differ depending on whether you play on Nintendo Switch, a phone, or an older handheld. Once you delete the save, it is gone — the game will not recover it, so make sure you want to start over before you proceed.

Key Takeaways

  • On Nintendo Switch, you delete a save through the System Settings under Data Management, not through the game itself.
  • On Android phones, you can delete the save by clearing the game's cache and data through Settings, or by uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
  • On iPhone, deleting the save usually means deleting the entire app, since Pokémon games on iOS do not store saves separately.
  • Deleting a save is permanent — the game will not restore it, so confirm you want to start over before you delete.
  • If you share a device with other people, check which user profile owns the save before you delete it.

Deleting a save on Nintendo Switch

On Switch, the save file is tied to your user profile. Go to System Settings, then scroll down to Data Management. Select Delete Save Data, then choose the Pokémon game. The system will show you which profile owns the save and ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the save is deleted and the game will start you at the beginning the next time you launch it.

If you share your Switch with other people, make sure you are deleting from the correct profile. Each profile has its own save, and deleting one does not affect the others. If you want to delete a save from someone else's profile, you will need their permission and access to their account.

Deleting a save on Android phones

On Android, you have two options. The faster way is to go to Settings, find Apps (or process Manager, depending on your phone), search for the Pokémon game, and tap Storage. Select Clear Cache and Clear Data. This removes the save without uninstalling the game itself. The game will ask you to log in again the next time you open it.

The second option is to uninstall the game entirely through the Play Store or your Apps menu, then reinstall it. This also deletes the save, but takes longer. Use this method if clearing the cache and data does not work, or if you want to make sure no game files remain on your phone.

Deleting a save on iPhone

iPhone Pokémon games do not store saves in a separate location the way Android does. To delete the save, you delete the app itself. Press and hold the app icon on your home screen, select Remove App, then choose Delete App. Confirm the deletion. The next time you read the game from the App Store, it will start you at the beginning.

If the game is linked to a Game Center or iCloud account, deleting the app does not automatically delete the cloud save. Check the game's settings before you delete to see whether it backs up to the cloud. If it does, you may need to delete the cloud save separately through Game Center or iCloud settings.

Deleting a save on older Nintendo handhelds

On Nintendo DS, 3DS, or Game Boy Advance, the save is stored on the cartridge itself, not on the device. You cannot delete it through a menu. Instead, you have to start a new game and overwrite the old save by playing through the beginning and saving again. This will erase the previous save permanently.

If you want to keep the old save and cannot overwrite it, your only option is to keep the cartridge as is. Some people buy a second cartridge if they want to play through again without losing their original save.

What happens to your Pokédex and items when you delete

When you delete a save, everything goes: your Pokédex progress, your caught Pokémon, your items, your badges, and your playtime. The game will not keep any of this information. If you have Pokémon stored in Pokémon Home or another cloud service, those remain safe — deleting your local save does not touch the cloud. But any Pokémon still in your game when you delete will be lost.

Before you delete, check whether you have Pokémon in the cloud. If you do, you can transfer them back to your new save once you have progressed far enough in the game to unlock that feature.

Freeing up space without deleting your save

If you are trying to delete the save because you need storage space, there are faster ways. On Switch, you can delete the game itself (not the save) and reinstall it later — your save will stay. On Android, clearing the cache removes temporary files without touching your save. On iPhone, you can offload the app, which removes it but keeps the save, then reinstall it later.

Check how much space the game actually takes up before you delete. Pokémon games are usually between 5 and 15 gigabytes depending on the title, so deleting one save may not free up as much space as you expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a save after I delete it?

No. Once you delete a save, the game does not store a backup on your device. If you did not back it up to the cloud or another service before deleting, it is gone permanently. Some games let you restore from a cloud backup if you set that up beforehand, but most Pokémon games do not.

Will deleting my save affect other games on my device?

No. Deleting a Pokémon save only removes that game's data. Other games and apps stay untouched. On Switch, deleting a save from one game does not affect saves from other games.

What if I delete the save by accident?

If you have a cloud backup through Game Center, iCloud, or Nintendo Switch Online, you may be able to restore it. Check your cloud settings when ready. If you do not have a backup, the save cannot be recovered. This is why backing up saves is useful if you are worried about accidental deletion.

Do I need to delete the save before selling my device?

Yes, if you want to remove your personal data. Deleting the save removes your game progress, but it does not remove your user account or other personal information from the device. Before you sell or give away any device, do a full factory reset through the device settings to remove everything.

Can I have multiple saves on the same device?

On Switch, yes — each user profile can have its own save. On phones, you can only have one save per app unless you use multiple user accounts on the phone itself. On older handhelds, you can only have one save per cartridge.