Skip to main content

How to wipe your PS4 before trading it in

Are you looking to trade in your PS4? Maybe it’s time to upgrade to the PS5 at last, or maybe you’re taking advantage of great deals on the PS4 Pro.

To get your console ready, you should wipe it of all data first. Here’s exactly how to do that — while making sure your saved games stay safe.

Recommended Videos

Further reading

Step 1: Sign into the right PSN account and prepare

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Turn on your PS4 and double-check that you’re signed into the right account, you’re connected to Wi-Fi, and everything is working properly. This is typically nothing to worry about for frequent PS4 users, but it doesn’t hurt to check. If you have any outstanding updates that haven’t been applied yet, update now.

Finally, head to your Trophies section in the PS4 menu, and press the Options button to access settings. Here, choose Sync with PlayStation Network. This ensures you won’t lose any trophy data if you’re migrating to a new console.

If you’re planning to upgrade to the PS5 and you already have the console, boot it up as well and make sure that you are signed into your PSN account here as well. Run through the basic setup steps, and connect to the same Wi-Fi network that your PS4 is connected to. Now everything is ready.

Step 2: Transfer your PS4 data

Image used with permission by copyright holder

With a PS5

Before wiping your PS4, you need to make sure that all the important data on it — including your preferences and downloads — is properly saved. If you are switching to a PlayStation 5 and you already have the console at hand, this step is incredibly easy if you haven’t already done it.

On your PS5 menu, head to Settings, go to System, and select System Software. Now go to Data Transfer, and select Continue. Your PS5 will now search for any PS4s on your Wi-Fi network and bring up a list of the PS4s that it has found. Select your console.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Next, your PS5 will show you the message Prepare for Data Transfer. At this time, press and hold the power button on your PS4 until it beeps — about a second. Your PS5 will make sure it’s connected, take a look, and then give you a list of data categories so you can choose what data you want to transfer. Make your choices (at least transfer saved game data), confirm you are ready, and choose Start Transfer. Your PS5 will take care of the rest!

If you aren’t able to use Wi-Fi, a LAN cable will work just as well.

Without a PS5

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you are still waiting for your PS5 console to arrive or trading in your PS4 so you can buy one, then you’ll need to take an intermediary step and transfer your data to an external hard drive for safekeeping (our list of external hard drives may be of help!).

To do this, connect an empty external storage drive to your PS4 via USB. Then, in the PS4 menu, select Settings, System, and choose Back Up and Restore. In this section, select Back up to begin the process. Your PS4 should give you an option to choose what data categories to back up. Make your choices and confirm, then wait for the backup to complete. You will now be prompted to name your backup and end the process.

Important note: Your external hard drive should have at least double the PS4’s hard drive space (500GB) and have FAT32 or exFAT formatting for everything to work smoothly. If it’s a new hard drive and you aren’t really sure, you should be able to format your drive by going to the Devices menu, choosing USB Storage Devices, and selecting your hard drive. An option should be available to Format as Extended Storage.

Step 3: Wipe your data with a factory reset

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Most trade-in spots will always wipe your PS4 as a matter of procedure, but you really don’t want to leave it to them. Erase all your personal data for privacy reasons before you send your PS4 in. The best way to do this is with a factory reset, which can you initiate easily at home.

To begin, head to the Settings menu on your PS4 and select Initialization. This section provides a few options for clearing data, but you want the one that says Initialize PS4, which is Sony’s version of a factory reset. We have a more detailed guide here, but it’s not a very complicated process.

Next, the PS4 will ask what kind of wipe you want, and you should select Full. The PS4 will then delete all data and return to out-of-the-box factory settings. This may take a little while, but the process is permanent, so make sure you are ready.

Step 4: Trade in your PS4 with confidence!

best ps4 pro deals gamestop 2019 spring sale
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With a factory reset, you are now ready to trade in your PS4 wherever you please. Sony doesn’t have a trade-in option itself, but many stores do, including Amazon, GameStop, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. It may be worth comparing options to see which have the best prices.

Tyler Lacoma
If it can be streamed, voice-activated, made better with an app, or beaten by mashing buttons, Tyler's into it. When he's not…
The best hero shooters on PS5
A team of heroes in Marvel Rivals.

The hero shooter genre has been around for years but really started hitting its stride in the latest console generation. A lot of the best PS5 games are still narrative-focused games, but more and more of the best FPS games are starting to crack that list, with hero shooters being especially popular. These games give more personality and depth to your normal run-and-gun experience with unique characters that have their own movesets that add new layers to the gameplay. This makes it so games are determined by more than just who has the best aim and reflexes. Thanks to most of them being cross-platform games, hero shooters are easy to jump into and find matches with, but first, you need to find the right one for you. Here are the current best hero shooters you can play on PS5.

There are also a ton of upcoming PS5 games that could be the next big hero shooter phenomenon.

Read more
The best simulation games on PS5
Gran Turismo 7 played with a steering wheel.

Technically speaking, all games are simulations. Most just tend to be very unrealistic. Even the best open-world games or best survival games take a ton of liberty in smoothing over a lot of the things we would normally think were mundane. The simulation genre not only embraces the fine details but makes mastering them the entire experience. There are plenty of meme games that make fun of simulators, but the ones that take themselves seriously end up being some of the best PS5 games you can play. Whether you love simulators already or are looking for some good places to start, here are all the best simulation games on PS5.

Gran Turismo 7

Read more
Metal Gear Solid: Delta won’t keep you waiting much longer
Snake aims an RPG in Metal Gear Solid: Delta.

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater - Release Date Trailer | PS5 Games

After a small snafu where the trailer leaked early, we got the official reveal of the Metal Gear Solid: Delta release date trailer during the February State of Play event. We can revisit the earliest entry in the MGS timeline on August 28, 2025.

Read more