How To Delete Games From Cloud Storage

How to Delete Games From Cloud

Okay, so you’ve got games stored in the cloud, and now you need to get rid of some. Maybe you’re trying to free up some space, or maybe you’re just tired of seeing that game in your list. Whatever the reason, deleting games from the cloud is usually pretty easy, but the steps can be different depending on which cloud service you use. Think of the cloud like a big online closet for all your games. Sometimes you just need to clean it out a little!

Understanding Cloud Game Storage

Before we dive into deleting, let’s talk a bit about what it means to store games in the cloud. Instead of keeping game files only on your computer, or your console, they’re also kept safe on big computer servers that belong to companies like Microsoft, Sony, Google, and Steam. This allows you to start playing on one device and continue on another, and it also means you can sometimes install games without filling up all the space on your own computer or console.

Why Do We Use Cloud Storage for Games?

There are several good reasons why game companies are turning to cloud storage:

• Playing on Multiple Devices: Imagine playing your game on your computer in the living room, and then continuing from exactly where you left off on your tablet in bed! The cloud allows for this wonderful freedom.
• Backup: Cloud storage can act as a backup. If something happens to your device, your game saves and game files will be safe in the cloud.
• No Downloads: With cloud gaming, you sometimes don’t even need to download a game! It streams the game to your device like watching a video.
• Sharing: Cloud can allow for game sharing or features like sharing your saves with friends.

Different Types of Cloud Gaming Services

Now, there are different services that offer cloud game storage, so how you delete a game will vary depending on which one you use. It’s like how different stores have different checkout lines. Here are some of the big ones you may be using:

• Xbox Cloud Gaming: This is for Xbox games. It lets you play games on your console, computer, or even phone.
• PlayStation Plus Cloud Streaming: If you have a PlayStation console, this is where your save data and some streamed games are stored.
• Steam Cloud: Steam is a popular place to buy games on computers, and the Steam Cloud keeps track of your game progress and settings.
• Google Play Games: If you play games on your Android phone, Google Play Games likely stores some of your progress.
• Other Cloud Storage: Some individual games might have their own cloud service.

It is important to know which service you are using, in order to ensure that you can delete the game properly.

Deleting Games from Xbox Cloud Gaming

If you have an Xbox, you might be using Xbox Cloud Gaming. Here is how you can manage the games and files in the cloud:

Deleting Saved Game Data

With Xbox Cloud Gaming, deleting your game saves is something you manage more through your console, or the Xbox app. Follow these steps to delete your game data, rather than the game itself (as the game is not stored in the cloud):

1. Turn on Your Xbox: Make sure your Xbox console is on and connected to your profile.
2. Go to My Games & Apps: From the home screen, go to “My games & apps.”
3. Select Games: Choose “Games”.
4. Find Your Game: Select the game you want to manage.
5. Manage Game: Press the Menu button (the button with the three lines) on your controller and select “Manage game and add-ons.”
6. Saved Data: Scroll down to “Saved data,” and you will see all save files for that game.
7. Delete Save Data: You can choose to delete your save data, and this will be deleted from the cloud, as well as from your console.
8. Confirm: Confirm that you would like to delete the save file.

Remember, deleting your saved data means you’ll have to start the game over if you choose to play it again.

How Cloud Works with Xbox

Xbox uses the cloud to save your game progress and other things like your settings. When you play a game, Xbox is saving this information to the cloud. It’s not storing the whole game itself on the cloud like a file, but your saved games, your account information, achievements, etc. By deleting saved game data as per the steps above, you are removing the information from the cloud, without removing the game itself.

If you have an Xbox Game Pass subscription, some games may be streamed rather than downloaded. When you play these streamed games, your saved data is kept in the cloud. If you delete the save data from the cloud, you will have to start again if you try to play the game in the future, even if you have downloaded it.

Deleting Games From PlayStation Cloud Storage

PlayStation has a similar system to Xbox, where game saves are stored in the cloud. Here’s how to delete game saves from PlayStation Plus Cloud Storage:

Deleting Game Save Files

You can delete game save data from your PlayStation console:

1. Turn on your PlayStation: Make sure that your console is turned on, and that you are signed into the PlayStation profile that you want to manage.
2. Go to Settings: From the home screen, go to “Settings”.
3. Select Application Saved Data Management: Scroll to, and select “Application Saved Data Management”.
4. Saved Data in System Storage: Select “Saved Data in System Storage”.
5. Choose the Game: Find the game you want to manage, and choose it.
6. Delete Your Saves: You will see your saved data for the game, and have the option to delete it.
7. Confirm Deletion: Confirm that you want to delete it.

Once deleted, your save data is removed from your console, and the cloud.

How PlayStation Cloud Storage Works

PlayStation’s cloud is mostly used for saving game progress. Like Xbox, it’s not actually storing the whole game on the cloud but keeping your progress, settings, and profiles safe. You can download games on the PlayStation console, but it will keep your progress on the cloud. This means you can also stream some games through the cloud, and keep all your game progress in the cloud. Deleting your save data will remove that information from both, the console and the cloud.

Deleting Games from Steam Cloud

Steam Cloud is a popular way that PC gamers keep track of their game progress. Here is how to remove game data from Steam:

Removing Game Save Data from Steam Cloud

Steam has a feature to delete specific save data through its client:

1. Open Steam: Open the Steam app on your computer and log in.
2. Go to View: Click on “View” in the top menu.
3. Settings: Click on “Settings”.
4. Click on Cloud: In the settings window, select “Cloud”.
5. Show Steam Cloud: You will see all the games that are using Steam Cloud, and have the ability to manage the save data that is stored in the Steam Cloud.
6. Select the Game: Choose the game that you want to delete the save data for.
7. Delete: You can then delete the game save from the cloud.

Understanding Steam Cloud

Steam Cloud keeps track of your game saves, your settings, and other things. When you play a game, Steam automatically saves your progress. It’s not storing the full game on the cloud, but it keeps your saves synchronized. So, you can start on one computer and continue on another. If you choose to delete your save data, then it will be removed from both, your computer and from the cloud.

Deleting Games from Google Play Games

If you play a lot of games on your Android phone or tablet, Google Play Games is probably in use. Here is how to delete game data from it:

Deleting Game Data from Google Play Games

You can delete saved game data through the Google Play Games app:

1. Open Google Play Games: Find the Google Play Games app on your Android device and open it.
2. Tap your Profile: Tap on your profile icon, usually in the top corner.
3. Tap Settings: Go to “Settings.”
4. Manage Your Play Games Data: Look for the section that says “Manage Your Play Games Data”.
5. Choose the Game: Find the game you want to manage and click it.
6. Delete Data: There will be an option to delete the saved data for this game.
7. Confirm: Confirm that you wish to delete this save data.

How Google Play Games Works

Google Play Games stores your game progress and settings. This means you can play a game on one device and continue on another, because your progress is kept in the cloud. Deleting the data will remove your saved progress from Google’s servers. This means that if you play the game again, you will have to start over from the beginning.

Important Considerations Before Deleting Cloud Game Data

Before you go on a deleting spree, think about these points:

Can You Get it Back?

Usually, once you delete something from the cloud, it’s gone for good. Some services may offer a limited time to restore data, but don’t count on it. Make sure you are certain before deleting anything. This is also why it is very important to be sure of which account you are logged into. If you are logged into the wrong account and delete game data that you did not want to delete, you might not be able to retrieve it again.

Check Your Storage

Deleting cloud saves might not free up a lot of storage on your device, as this data is mostly stored online. If you’re trying to clear space on your computer, console, or phone, you might need to also delete games directly from the device itself. This is especially important if you have downloaded a game locally, and are also using the cloud to store the saved game data.

Different Devices, Different Places

Remember, what you see on your computer may not be what you see on your phone or your console. You may need to go through the steps for deleting a game on all of your devices to properly ensure that the cloud game data is deleted. For example, if you download an Xbox game on your console, you also play it on your phone using the Xbox cloud gaming service, you might need to delete the game save from both locations.

Read the Fine Print

Each gaming platform has its own rules about cloud storage. Always check their official help guides for the most up-to-date information. These guides might provide other methods for deleting game data, or some important information you should consider before deleting data.

Deleting games from the cloud is useful if you need to free some space or just want to start fresh with some games. Always double check before deleting anything. Follow these easy steps to keep your cloud games nice and tidy.