Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Guides

How to wipe your PS4 before trading it in

By

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Tyler Lacoma
Tyler Lacoma
Former Digital Trends Contributor
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…
Best PS5 deals: Console bundles, top games, and accessories
A person plays Crash Bandicoot using a PS5 DualSense controller.

If you've been holding off on buying a PlayStation 5 because it didn't have the best games and you wanted the library to be a bit stronger, then now is a solid time to invest in one, especially given that the most recent PS5 Slim has come out. While it doesn't add any performance, it does change the size and weight quite a bit, plus you get a slightly larger storage size to work with, which is a big plus. So, if you're ready to jump into the PS5 ecosystem, then be sure to check out the deals below, as we've gone out and scoured online retailers to bring the best PlayStation deals, including some of the best PS5 game deals and gaming headset deals you can take advantage of.
Best PS5 deals

The PlayStation 5 has recently seen a great revision with it now slightly slimmer than before and also offering more storage space with 1TB of internal space resulting in 842GB of it being usable. You still get the impressive DualSense controller along with all the benefits that the PS5 offers. With the arrival of the new revision, there are some great bundles around, including a free digital copy of Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

Read more
Best PS5 SSD deals: Add more storage to your PS5 from $125
A 2TB WD Black

When the original PlayStation 5 came out, you were essentially stuck with the storage that came inside, which was often a bit too small, given how most modern games can hit 70-100GB without a sweat. Unfortunately, at the time, you couldn't really expand the internal storage because there weren't any SSDs that could work with the PS5's architecture, but a few years down the line to today, there are a ton of excellent SSDs for the PS5 that are worth grabbing. Just be aware that there are certain SSDs that are made specifically to work well with the PS5, so you can't really just go and grab any SSD. We've gone into the reasons below.

We've also collected some of our favorite SSD deals below. That said, if you haven't picked up a PS5 yet, be sure to check out these excellent PS5 deals, and if you already own one, maybe check out these PS5 game deals to expand your library.
Our favorite PS5 SSD deal

Read more
PS Plus’ supersized June lineup includes Tomb Raider, PSVR2 games, and more
tomb raider legend screenshot

PS Plus is is adding more games than usual to its game library in June. The service will get 14 games, with some rolling out on June 4. That list includes AEW Fight Forever, Tomb Raider: Legend, and five PlayStation VR2 games.

Sony's PS Plus subscription service has been hit-or-miss since its rebrand a few years back. Though its struggled to put out consistent content, especially retro games, its June lineup shows Sony making its biggest push yet to court subscribers. And its bringing some heavy hitters along to help with that.

Read more