The basic steps depend on what device you're using

Deleting a game is different on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and gaming consoles — each one stores and removes programs differently. On Windows, you use the Settings app or Control Panel. On Mac, you drag the game to Trash. On iPhone, you press and hold the app icon and choose "Remove App". On Android, you go to Settings, find Apps, select the game, and tap "Uninstall". On PlayStation or Xbox, you highlight the game and choose delete. The steps take less than a minute once you know where to look.

The reason deletion works differently across devices is that each operating system organizes files in its own way. Windows keeps game files scattered across multiple folders. Mac bundles most of an app into a single file. Mobile phones treat apps as self-contained units. Understanding which device you're on matters because a method that works on one won't work on another.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows games are removed through Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, where you select the game and click Uninstall.
  • Mac games are deleted by dragging the app from Applications to Trash, then emptying Trash to complete removal.
  • iPhone games are removed by pressing and holding the icon, selecting "Remove App", then choosing "Delete App".
  • Android games are deleted through Settings > Apps, selecting the game, and tapping Uninstall.
  • Deleting a game frees up storage space, but some games leave behind saved data or settings that you may need to remove separately.

Deleting games on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app that appears. Go to Apps > Apps & Features. Scroll down to find the game you want to remove. Click it once to select it, then click the Uninstall button that appears. A window will pop up asking you to confirm — click Uninstall again. Windows will remove the game files and may ask you to restart your computer when it's done.

If you're using an older version of Windows (7 or 8), the process is similar but accessed differently. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Find the game in the list, click it, and click Uninstall at the top. Follow the prompts to remove it.

Some games, especially older ones, may leave behind saved games or settings folders even after you uninstall. If you want to remove those too, you can find them in your Documents folder or in a hidden AppData folder. For most people, the standard uninstall is enough.

Deleting games on Mac

On Mac, most games can be deleted by opening Finder, clicking Applications in the sidebar, finding the game, and dragging it to Trash. That's the complete process for many games. After you drag it to Trash, empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in the Dock and selecting "Empty Trash".

Some games come with an uninstaller program instead of being a single app file. If you see an Uninstaller icon in the Applications folder alongside the game, double-click it and follow the prompts. This is less common but happens with larger games that need to clean up multiple files.

Like Windows, Mac games sometimes leave behind saved data in your Library folder. If you want to remove those, open Finder, press Command+Shift+Period to show hidden files, then navigate to Library > process Support and look for a folder with the game's name. You can delete that folder if you want a complete removal, but it's optional.

Deleting games on iPhone

To delete a game from iPhone, press and hold the game icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Remove App". A second menu will ask whether you want to "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete App". Choose "Delete App" if you want to remove it completely. Confirm by tapping "Delete" when prompted.

If you only tap "Remove from Home Screen", the game stays on your phone but disappears from view — you can still see it in the App Library (the last page of your home screen) or by searching. This is useful if you want to keep the game but don't use it often. "Delete App" removes it entirely and frees up storage space.

Deleted games can be reinstalled later from the App Store if you change your mind. Your saved games may or may not be recoverable depending on whether the game developer stores them in iCloud — some games save progress to the cloud automatically, while others only save locally on your phone.

Deleting games on Android

On Android, open Settings and scroll down to Apps (sometimes called Applications or App Management depending on your phone brand). Find the game you want to remove and tap it. You'll see an Uninstall button — tap it and confirm when asked. The game will be removed from your phone.

An alternative method is to open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, go to Manage apps & device, find the game under the Manage tab, tap it, and select Uninstall. Both methods work equally well — use whichever is easier for you.

Like iPhone, Android games sometimes save progress to the cloud through Google Play Games or the game developer's own account system. If you uninstall and later reinstall the same game, your progress may come back automatically if you sign in with the same account. Check the game's settings before uninstalling if you're unsure whether your saves are backed up.

Deleting games on PlayStation and Xbox

On PlayStation 5, highlight the game on your home screen, press the Options button on your controller, and select Delete. On PlayStation 4, highlight the game, press Options, and choose Delete. Confirm when prompted. The game will be removed but your saved data stays on the console unless you delete that separately.

On Xbox Series X or S, highlight the game, press the Menu button, select "Manage game & add-ons", then "Uninstall all". On Xbox One, highlight the game, press Menu, select "Manage", then "Uninstall all". Again, your saved games remain on the console.

If you want to delete saved data as well, go to your console's storage settings, find the game, and delete the save file separately. This is useful if you want to start fresh or if you're selling the console and want to remove all traces of your games.

What happens to your saved games when you delete

Deleting a game does not automatically delete your saved progress. On computers and consoles, saved games are usually stored in separate folders that the uninstall process leaves behind. On phones, it depends on whether the game saves to the cloud or only locally on your device.

If you reinstall the game later, it may find your old saves and let you resume where you left off. If you want a completely fresh start, you need to delete the saved data separately. On Windows, look in Documents or AppData. On Mac, check the Library folder. On phones, check the game's settings for a "Clear Data" or "Delete Save" option before uninstalling.

Freeing up storage space

Deleting games is one of the fastest ways to free up storage when your device is running low on space. A single large game can take up 50 to 100 gigabytes on a computer or 10 to 50 gigabytes on a phone, depending on the game and your device. Removing even one game can make a noticeable difference.

If you're not sure which games are taking up the most space, you can check before deleting. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Storage and scroll down to see which apps are using the most space. On Mac, use the Storage tab in About This Mac. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android, go to Settings > Storage. This helps you decide which games to remove first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my game back after I delete it?

Yes. On computers and consoles, you can reinstall the game from the original source (Steam, Epic Games, PlayStation Store, etc.). On phones, you can redownload it from the App Store or Google Play Store. Your saved data may or may not come back depending on whether it was stored locally or in the cloud.

Will deleting a game remove my saved progress?

Not automatically. Saved games are usually stored separately from the game files. However, if you want to delete your saves too, you need to do that as a separate step. On computers, look in Documents or AppData folders. On phones, check the game's settings for a data-clearing option.

What if the uninstall button is grayed out?

On Windows, this usually means the game is currently running or another program is using its files. Close the game completely and try again. On Mac or phones, restart your device and try uninstalling again. If it still doesn't work, the game may be a system app that can't be removed.

Does deleting a game free up space when ready?

On most devices, yes. On Windows, you may need to empty the Recycle Bin to fully free the space. On Mac, you need to empty Trash. On phones and consoles, the space is freed right away. The amount of space freed depends on the game's size.

Can I delete a game while it's running?

No. You need to close the game completely first. If you try to uninstall while it's open, the process will either fail or ask you to close it. Make sure the game is fully shut down before starting the uninstall.