How To Redownload Games On Ps4

How to Redownload Games on PS4

Have you ever deleted a game from your PlayStation 4 (PS4) and then wished you could play it again? Maybe you needed the space, or perhaps you just wanted to try something new. The good news is, redownloading games on your PS4 is very easy! Whether you bought them from the PlayStation Store or have them on a disc, getting them back is a breeze. Let’s go through the process step-by-step, exploring all the ways you can bring your favorite games back to your console.

Redownloading Digital Games Purchased from the PlayStation Store

Digital games are those that you buy and download directly from the PlayStation Store. Because you aren’t using a physical disc, the games are linked to your PlayStation Network account. This makes redownloading them really convenient. Here’s how to do it:

Accessing Your PlayStation Library

The first step in redownloading any digital game is to find your PlayStation Library. This library keeps a record of every digital game you have purchased. Here’s how to get there:

1. Turn on your PS4: Make sure your console is on and connected to the internet.
2. Navigate to the main menu: Use the controller to go back to the PlayStation home screen (where all your games and apps are shown).
3. Go to the Library: Scroll across the icons on the main menu until you find the one labeled “Library”. It usually looks like a folder. Select it.

Finding Your Purchased Games

Once you have opened your Library, you’ll see a few different categories. You will need to find your purchased games. Here’s how:

1. Select “Purchased”: In the Library, you will see options to look at Games, Applications, and Purchased. Use the controller to scroll to “Purchased” and then select it.
2. Browse your game list: This will show you every game you have ever bought from the PlayStation Store. It includes games you might have downloaded before and then deleted. The games are often listed in alphabetical order to make it easier to find what you need.

Initiating the Redownload

Okay, you have found the game that you want to play! Now you just need to start the download process. Here is how you do it:

1. Select the game: Use the controller to scroll down and find the game you would like to redownload. Press the X button on your controller to select the game.
2. Choose “Download”: This will take you to the game’s information screen. If the game is not currently installed, you will see a download option or symbol. Select “Download”.
3. Confirm the download: Your PS4 may ask you to confirm that you want to download the game. If it does, select “Yes” or “Confirm”.

The download will start. You can check the status of the download by going back to the PS4 home screen and looking in the “Notifications” area, located at the top of the screen.

Redownloading Games from a Disc

If you have games that you originally bought on a physical disc, the process of playing them again is slightly different, but just as simple. Here’s how to play a game using a disc after deleting it from your PS4:

Inserting the Game Disc

The first step is, of course, to put the game disc into your console.

1. Turn on your PS4: Make sure your console is on and ready to go.
2. Locate the disc slot: On the front of your PS4, you will see a slot to insert the disc.
3. Insert the disc: Carefully put the game disc into the slot with the label facing up or to the left. The PS4 will pull the disc in.

Starting the Game

Once you put the game disc into the console, the game should automatically start.

1. Game appears on the main menu: After the PS4 reads the disc, an icon for your game will appear on the main menu.
2. Select the game: Use the controller to navigate to the game’s icon and press the X button.
3. Start playing: The game should start running just like you remember. You may see a short update install, if there have been any patches or changes to the game since you last played it.

Important Notes about Disc Games

• The disc is required to play: Even if you had installed the game before, the disc needs to be in the console to play. The PS4 uses the disc to verify that you own the game.
• Keep the disc clean: A dirty or scratched disc can cause problems. Make sure your game disc is clean, or it may not read properly. If it is too badly scratched it might not be able to be read at all.

Troubleshooting Redownload Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as we hope. Here are some things to look out for if you have problems redownloading your games:

Connection Issues

Having a bad internet connection can make it hard to download games. Here are some things to check:

• Check your internet: Make sure your PS4 is connected to the internet. You can check this in the Settings menu under “Network”.
• Restart your modem/router: Turn off your modem and router and then turn them back on. This often helps to solve connection problems.
• Check the PlayStation Network (PSN) status: Sometimes, the PSN servers are having problems. If this is happening, you might not be able to download games. You can check the PSN status on the PlayStation website or through your console’s settings.

Storage Space

If you do not have enough free space on your hard drive, you won’t be able to download a new game or update an existing one. To fix this, you can delete some old games or videos that you don’t need anymore.

• Check your storage space: Go to Settings > Storage to see how much free space you have left.
• Delete old games or files: If you are running low on space, delete the games you don’t play or any unneeded videos.

Account Issues

Sometimes you may run into problems if you are not using the right account.

• Use the correct account: Make sure you are signed into the same PlayStation Network account that you used to purchase the game originally. Games are linked to specific accounts.
• Check your transaction history: If you don’t see a game in your library but think you bought it, check your PlayStation Store transaction history to see if the purchase was completed.

Problems with Disc Games

Here are some things that can cause problems with game discs:

• Clean the disc: If your disc has dust or fingerprints, carefully clean it with a soft, lint-free cloth, wiping from the center outward.
• Check for scratches: If your disc has deep scratches, your PS4 might not be able to read it. If it is too scratched, you may not be able to play that disc.

Managing Game Data and Saves

It’s important to remember that while you are redownloading games, your saved game progress might also be affected. Here’s what you need to know about managing game data and saves:

Game Saves

Game saves are the progress you have made in a game. The game saves are stored separately from the game itself. That way you can delete the game from the PS4 and keep the save.

• Game saves are stored separately: Typically, game saves are saved to the hard drive of the PS4. This way, when you redownload a game, your progress is still there.
• Cloud saves: If you are a PlayStation Plus member, your game saves may also be backed up to the cloud. This is a great way to keep your saves safe even if something goes wrong with your PS4. You can download these saves from the cloud when you redownload a game.

Deleting Games to Save Space

If you need to make space on your hard drive, you can delete games that you do not currently play. Here is how to do it:

1. Go to the Library: Use the controller to find the Library on the PS4 main menu.
2. Choose the game: Find the game that you want to delete, and select it.
3. Select “Delete”: From the game options, you will find an option that says “Delete”. Select this option.
4. Confirm the deletion: The PS4 will ask you to confirm that you want to delete the game. Once you do this the game will be removed.

Remember, deleting a game will not delete your game saves if you have them stored on the hard drive. If you need to delete the game saves, you will need to use the Settings menu to do so.

Tips to Keep Games Organized

It can be difficult to keep track of all your games when you have a lot of them. Here are some things that can help you keep things organized:

• Use folders: You can create folders in your Library to sort your games by genre or type.
• Keep the disc cases: If you have disc games, keep their cases so you know which ones you have.
• Back up your saves: Use the cloud storage or an external drive to back up your game saves.

Understanding Game Licenses

When you buy a digital game from the PlayStation Store, you are not actually buying the game itself, but rather a license to play that game. The license is linked to your account, so you can redownload the game as many times as you want on any PS4 where you sign in with your account. This is why it is so important to use the correct PlayStation account that you used to originally buy the game.

If you borrow a disc game from a friend, you will not be able to download it without the disc. Game discs are like a license to play a physical version of the game. The disc is what allows the game to work. Without the disc, you cannot play that game.

Redownloading games on your PS4 is very easy. Whether you bought them digitally or have them on disc, you will be playing in just a few simple steps. Just make sure you have a good internet connection and you have enough space on your hard drive. If you have a disc game, always be sure to keep it in good condition so that it will always read properly. Enjoy your games!