Resetting your PlayStation 5 (PS5) can be a daunting task, especially if you’re unsure about what it entails. If you’re considering resetting your console, you’re probably wondering what happens to your saved games, progress, and other data. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of PS5 resetting, exploring what it means, what it does, and what you can expect to happen to your data.
Understanding PS5 Reset Options
The PS5 offers several reset options, each designed to address different issues and provide varying levels of data removal. It’s essential to understand these options to make an informed decision about which one to use. The two primary reset options are:
Resetting your PS5 can resolve issues like freezing, crashing, or slow performance. However, it’s crucial to choose the right reset option to avoid losing your important data. The PS5 has two main reset options: Quick Reset and Full Reset. The Quick Reset option restarts your console without deleting any data, while the Full Reset option restores your console to its factory settings, which may result in data loss.
Quick Reset: What to Expect
The Quick Reset option is the safest way to reset your PS5 without losing any data. This option restarts your console, closing all running applications and background processes. When you perform a Quick Reset, your console will:
Restart and reload the operating system
Close all running games and applications
Stop any background downloads or uploads
Reset network connections
The Quick Reset option is ideal for resolving minor issues like freezing or slow performance. Since it doesn’t delete any data, you can safely use this option without worrying about losing your saved games or progress.
Full Reset: What to Expect
The Full Reset option, also known as a factory reset, restores your PS5 to its original settings. This option deletes all data, including:
Saved games and progress
Installed games and applications
User accounts and profiles
Network settings and configurations
System software updates
When you perform a Full Reset, your console will be restored to its factory settings, erasing all data and settings. This option should be used with caution, as it will result in the loss of all your saved data. If you’re considering a Full Reset, make sure to back up your important data before proceeding.
Backing Up Your PS5 Data
Before resetting your PS5, it’s essential to back up your important data to prevent loss. The PS5 offers several backup options, including:
Cloud storage: You can upload your saved games and progress to the cloud, allowing you to access them from any PS5 console.
External hard drive: You can connect an external hard drive to your PS5 and transfer your saved games and progress to it.
USB drive: You can also use a USB drive to transfer your saved games and progress.
To back up your PS5 data, follow these steps:
Connect your external hard drive or USB drive to your PS5
Go to Settings > Storage > Backup and Restore
Select the backup option you prefer (cloud storage, external hard drive, or USB drive)
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the backup process
Cloud Storage: The Convenient Option
Cloud storage is a convenient way to back up your PS5 data. With a PlayStation Plus subscription, you can upload your saved games and progress to the cloud, allowing you to access them from any PS5 console. To use cloud storage, follow these steps:
Sign in to your PlayStation account
Go to Settings > Storage > Cloud Storage
Select the games and data you want to upload
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upload process
Cloud storage is a great option for backing up your PS5 data, as it allows you to access your saved games and progress from any PS5 console. However, make sure you have a stable internet connection and enough cloud storage space to upload your data.
Reinstalling Games and Applications
After resetting your PS5, you’ll need to reinstall your games and applications. To do this, follow these steps:
Go to the PlayStation Store
Select the games and applications you want to reinstall
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download and installation process
Reinstalling games and applications can take some time, depending on the size of the files and your internet connection speed. Make sure you have enough storage space on your PS5 to reinstall your games and applications.
Reinstalling System Software Updates
After resetting your PS5, you’ll also need to reinstall system software updates. To do this, follow these steps:
Go to Settings > System > System Software
Select the system software update you want to install
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download and installation process
Reinstalling system software updates is essential to ensure your PS5 is running with the latest features and security patches. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and enough storage space to install the updates.
Conclusion
Resetting your PS5 can be a complex process, but understanding the different reset options and backup methods can help you make an informed decision. Remember to always back up your important data before resetting your PS5, and choose the reset option that best suits your needs. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can safely reset your PS5 and restore it to its factory settings, without losing your saved games and progress. Whether you’re experiencing issues with your console or just want to start fresh, resetting your PS5 can be a great way to resolve problems and improve performance.
What happens to my saved games when I reset my PS5?
When you reset your PS5, you may be concerned about losing your saved games and progress. Fortunately, the PS5 allows you to reset the console without deleting your saved games. The console has a feature that separates the system software from the user data, which includes saved games, trophies, and other personal settings. This means that you can reset the PS5 to its default settings without affecting your saved games.
However, it’s essential to note that there are different types of resets on the PS5, and some may affect your saved games more than others. A soft reset, which restarts the console, will not delete your saved games. On the other hand, a hard reset or a factory reset may delete some or all of your saved games, depending on the type of reset and the settings you choose. To avoid losing your saved games, it’s crucial to back them up regularly, either to an external hard drive or to the cloud, using the PS5’s cloud saving feature.
How do I back up my saved games on the PS5?
Backing up your saved games on the PS5 is a straightforward process that can be done using an external hard drive or the cloud. To back up your saved games to an external hard drive, connect the drive to the PS5, go to the Settings menu, and select “Storage.” From there, choose the external hard drive as the destination for your backups, and the PS5 will automatically back up your saved games. You can also set up automatic backups to occur at regular intervals, such as daily or weekly.
To back up your saved games to the cloud, you’ll need a PlayStation Plus subscription, which includes cloud saving as one of its benefits. To enable cloud saving, go to the Settings menu, select “Account Management,” and then choose “Cloud Saving.” From there, you can set up your cloud saving preferences, including the types of data to be backed up and the frequency of backups. With cloud saving, you can access your saved games from any PS5 console, as long as you’re signed in to your PlayStation account.
What is the difference between a soft reset and a hard reset on the PS5?
A soft reset and a hard reset are two different types of resets that you can perform on the PS5. A soft reset, also known as a restart, simply restarts the console without deleting any data. This type of reset is useful when the console is frozen or not responding, and it will not affect your saved games or other personal settings. On the other hand, a hard reset, also known as a factory reset, restores the PS5 to its default settings, deleting all user data, including saved games, trophies, and other personal settings.
It’s essential to note that a hard reset should only be performed as a last resort, such as when the console is experiencing serious technical issues or when you’re selling or giving away the console. Before performing a hard reset, make sure to back up your saved games and other important data, either to an external hard drive or to the cloud. You should also be aware that a hard reset will require you to set up the console again, including signing in to your PlayStation account and reinstalling any games or apps you want to use.
Will resetting my PS5 delete my trophies?
Resetting your PS5 may or may not delete your trophies, depending on the type of reset you perform. If you perform a soft reset, your trophies will not be deleted, as this type of reset only restarts the console without affecting user data. However, if you perform a hard reset or a factory reset, your trophies may be deleted, along with other user data, such as saved games and personal settings.
To avoid losing your trophies, it’s essential to sync them with the PlayStation Network (PSN) regularly. You can do this by going to the Trophies menu on the PS5 and selecting “Sync Trophies.” This will upload your trophies to the PSN, where they will be stored securely. Even if you perform a hard reset or a factory reset, your trophies will still be available on the PSN, and you can download them again to your console once you’ve set it up.
Can I restore my saved games after resetting my PS5?
If you’ve reset your PS5 and lost your saved games, you may be able to restore them, depending on the type of reset you performed and whether you backed up your data. If you performed a soft reset, your saved games should still be available on the console. However, if you performed a hard reset or a factory reset, your saved games may have been deleted. In this case, you can try restoring them from a backup, either from an external hard drive or from the cloud, using the PS5’s cloud saving feature.
To restore your saved games from a backup, go to the Settings menu, select “Storage,” and then choose the backup destination, such as an external hard drive or the cloud. From there, you can select the saved games you want to restore and follow the on-screen instructions to download them back to your console. Keep in mind that restoring saved games from a backup may overwrite any existing data on the console, so make sure to back up any new data before restoring from a backup.
How do I perform a factory reset on the PS5?
Performing a factory reset on the PS5 is a straightforward process, but it should only be done as a last resort, such as when the console is experiencing serious technical issues or when you’re selling or giving away the console. To perform a factory reset, go to the Settings menu, select “System,” and then choose “Reset Options.” From there, select “Reset Your Console” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. You will be prompted to choose the type of reset you want to perform, including a soft reset, a hard reset, or a factory reset.
Before performing a factory reset, make sure to back up your saved games, trophies, and other important data, either to an external hard drive or to the cloud. You should also be aware that a factory reset will require you to set up the console again, including signing in to your PlayStation account and reinstalling any games or apps you want to use. Additionally, a factory reset will delete all user data, including saved games, trophies, and personal settings, so make sure to sync your trophies with the PSN and back up your saved games before performing the reset.