Is your PlayStation 4 experiencing major slowdowns and would you like to try to fix them? Have you decided to resell your PS4, perhaps because you’ve switched to a Pro model of the console, but haven’t quite figured out how to delete your data from it before selling it? Would you like to reset your PS4 but without losing data? No problem, you are in the right place to start!
In fact, in this guide I will explain in detail how to format the PS4 . I will look at all possible cases, from the various problems that may have arisen while using the console to the deletion of data, in order to restore the PlayStation and resolve any software problems present on it.
Courage: if you intend to discover all the possibilities related to the formatting of the Sony console, all you have to do is take a few minutes of free time and follow the quick instructions that you find below. That said, there is nothing left for me to do but wish you a good read and a big good luck for everything!
Index
- Preliminary information
- How to format the PS4
- How to format PS4
- How to format the PS4 to sell it
- How to Format PS4 in Safe Mode
- How to format PS4 without losing data
Preliminary information
Before going into the details of the procedure on how to format the PS4 , I think it may interest you to know more about this possibility.
Well, the formatting of the PlayStation 4 , that is the deletion of the data contained in it and the restoration of the console to the factory state (that is, to how it was when it was first turned on), can be useful in different contexts. In fact, a console is a complex device and several problems can arise during its use.
To give you a concrete example, some users have been faced with problems related to “corrupted” files and bugs that can also make it impossible to start the console correctly. Faced with “generic” problems of this type, identifying the exact causes could be complex and, therefore, a formatting could be the quickest and most effective solution to solve everything.
Another scenario where console formatting comes in handy is when you decide to sell the PS4 . In fact, leaving all your data inside the console is not only irresponsible but also a potential problem for privacy , since the user to whom the console is sold could access some sensitive information.
For this reason, before selling the console it is good to format it properly . By doing so, the other person will not have access in any way to information related to the previous owner.
How to format the PS4
After explaining the main situations in which a format of the console can be useful, I would say that you are ready to take action. Below you will find all the information related to the various possibilities allowed by Sony for restoring PS4 .
How to format PS4
The standard formatting method made available by Sony is certainly the easiest way to “reset” the console. In case you were wondering, yes: the procedure I am about to describe is also valid for learning how to format the PS4 Pro , the PS4 Slim and all the other models of the console.
To proceed, all you have to do is turn on the console, go to the upper toolbar and press the X button of the pad on the Settings icon (the toolbox). After that, first select the Initialization item and then the Initialize PS4 item .
This procedure deletes all console settings and data , so I encourage you to use it only if you really want to format the console. Hard drives and other external devices that may be connected to the PS4 will not be formatted but, for safety, I recommend you disconnect them.
For the rest, the system will guide you step by step towards your goal with clear indications on the screen . The first choice you will have to make is the one related to the type of formatting to do: if Quick or Complete . The first will take much less time than the second (minutes versus hours), but if you want to be sure that you are making your data unrecoverable, even via data recovery software , you should go for the Complete option .
Next, you will have to press the Initialize and Yes buttons , to start the formatting of the console. At this point, the PS4 will restart and all you have to do is wait for it to complete. The system will show a progress bar on the screen with an estimate of the time required , so you will always be informed about the entire procedure.
Once formatting is complete, you will need to set up your PlayStation 4 again to be able to use it again. So take the controller in your hand , connect it via cable to one of the USB ports of the console (you can find some on the front) and press the PS button (the one at the bottom center with the PlayStation logo).
Perfect, now you have a “like new” console, as it is back to the state it was in when you first brought it home. If you don’t remember how you did the initial setup , I recommend you take a look at my tutorial on how to create PS4 accounts . You may also be interested in Sony’s official guide for new users .
Just to give you some information that could be useful, I remind you that, once you have created your user profile and logged back into your PSN account , you can download the digital games associated with it through the Library (find the appropriate icon on the main console screen).
How to format the PS4 to sell it
In case you want to sell the console you may be wondering if there are special precautions to be taken in the formatting process. Well, actually no: the procedure is essentially identical to the one I described in the previous chapter .
In fact, formatting takes place in the same way, but you may want to take a precaution so that the data is not recoverable even with “advanced” procedures. For this reason, when the console asks you, I recommend that you select the full format option .
Furthermore, if you really want to be sure of everything, I suggest you, before formatting, to remove the status of “primary” from the console , in case you have previously enabled it. To check this aspect, just go to Settings> Account Management> Activate as main PS4 and press on the Deactivate box .
If the latter is not selectable, press on Activate and then on Deactivate . For more details on this procedure, I invite you to consult my guide on how to put the main account on PS4 .
Then, go to Settings> Account Management and press the X button on the controller on the item Exit . This way, you can be sure that your PlayStation Network account will not be accessible via the console you have decided to sell.
For the rest, just remember not to set up your personal profile and PSN account again , so that the PS4 buyer is faced with a system that needs to be set up from scratch.
How to Format PS4 in Safe Mode
How do you say? For some reason your console only boots in safe mode ? Do you have any doubts as to whether there are any corrupt files? Don’t worry, now I’ll show you the possibilities you have available.
First of all, you need to know that safe mode is designed to solve system problems, so if the console only starts in this screen it means that there are probably software problems.
For completeness of information, you should know that safe mode can also be “started” manually: by holding down the power button on the console for about 7 seconds , or until the second “beep” emitted by the PS4.
In any case, to navigate the menus of this mode you need to connect the controller via cable to a USB port on the console and press the PS button . Once this is done, you will see all the various options available appear on the screen.
You can start the system initialization using option number 6 and, always following the instructions that appear on the screen, you will be able to format the console . In case the format does not work and the console continues to boot in safe mode, you could try to start the reinstallation of the system software (option number 7 ).
For more details regarding these possibilities, I recommend that you consult my guide on how to get out of PS4 Safe Mode .
How to format PS4 without losing data
Obviously, a proper formatting necessarily involves data loss. However, there are possibilities that allow, in certain cases, to be able to troubleshoot the PS4 without wiping the data .
In particular, the most interesting possibility is that relating to rebuilding the database , accessible through the safe mode that I explained to you how to use in the previous chapter .
In this case, by selecting option number 5 , that is Rebuild database , it is possible to launch a sort of scan and correction of the database , which will try to solve the console problems without deleting its data.
For the rest, you may find it useful to take a look at my tutorial on how to make a PS4 backup , in which I also explained how to restore the copied data . However, this method clearly assumes that the console does not have any particular problems, as of course you could drag them along with the backup.
Perfect, now you know all the possibilities related to the formatting of the PS4 . Since you are interested in the Sony console, I would recommend that you take a look at the page of my site dedicated to the PlayStation 4 , where you can find several tutorials that could be for you.
