How to Reset a PS4 to Factory Settings

Good as new has never been simpler.
Tayler Tayler (75)
0

If you're giving your PS4 to someone else, the first thing you should do is reset it to factory settings. This will delete all your personal data, including your saved games, profiles, and any other information specific to you.

A factory reset erases the data on an electrical device, restoring it to the original manufacturer settings.

A factory reset is also referred to as a hard or master reset.

Resetting your PS4 is also a good way to troubleshoot any problems that the console might be having, even if it means losing your gaming data. For this reason, resetting your PS4 should be a last resort to your troubleshooting, like if you have a black screen after your console powers up.

There are some things to keep in mind before you reset your PS4.

  1. First, if you have any DLC or digital games that you've purchased, you'll need to re-download them after resetting the console.
  2. Secondly, if you have any custom settings or save files that you want to keep, you'll need to back them up before resetting the PS4. To do this, you can create a backup on an external hard drive, or you can rely on Sony's Cloud Storage service.

Now, grab your controller, and let's get started.

Sony Playstation 4Sony Playstation 4 ×1

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Initialize menu
  • Turn on your PS4 and navigate to your Settings.
  • Scroll to the bottom of your Settings menu and press X on Initialization.
  • Select Initialize PS4.
  • Select either Quick or Full.
Quick Full
Wipes data from the console's drive but doesn't wipe it completely. It can be recovered with special software. Wipes the console's drive and prevents any potential recovery.
  • Select Yes, confirming your reset.
  • A Full reset can take a few hours, depending on the size of your data, but once it's done, hold down the power button to turn off your console.

Boom! Now you know how to reset a PS4 to its factory settings.

Wipe your iPhone and start over new.
Ash Ash (362)
10 minutes

If you're selling your iPhone or just want to start over fresh, you may want to factory reset it. Factory resetting your phone will completely wipe the device.