Will I lose my PSN account if I factory reset?

Answered by Tom Adger

When you perform a factory reset on your PS4™ system, all settings and information saved on the console will be deleted. This includes any data related to your PlayStation Network (PSN) account. Therefore, if you proceed with the factory reset, you will lose access to your PSN account and all associated content, such as purchased games, saved game progress, and any digital media.

It is important to note that a factory reset is a drastic measure and should only be used as a last resort. This option is typically employed when you are experiencing severe software issues or want to sell or give away your console. Before proceeding with a factory reset, it is strongly recommended to back up any important data or game saves to an external storage device or to the cloud, if available.

To safeguard your PSN account and its associated content, it is crucial to ensure that you have a backup of your data before performing a factory reset. This will allow you to restore your account and content on a new or repaired console.

To back up your data, you can use the built-in backup feature on your PS4™ system. This feature allows you to create a backup of your console’s settings, game saves, and applications on an external USB storage device. By doing this, you can later restore the backup to a different PS4™ system and regain access to your PSN account and its content.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to back up your data before performing a factory reset:

1. Connect an external USB storage device with sufficient free space to your PS4™ system.
2. On your PS4™ home screen, go to the “Settings” menu.
3. Select “System” and then choose “Back Up and Restore.”
4. Select “Back Up PS4” and follow the on-screen instructions to start the backup process.
5. Wait for the backup to complete. This may take some time depending on the amount of data being backed up.
6. Once the backup is finished, disconnect the USB storage device from your PS4™ system.

By following these steps and creating a backup of your data, you can ensure that your PSN account and its associated content are protected before performing a factory reset.

Performing a factory reset on your PS4™ system will result in the deletion of all settings and information, including your PSN account and its content. To avoid losing access to your account and its associated content, it is crucial to back up your data before proceeding with the factory reset. This will allow you to restore your account and content on a different console, ensuring that your PSN account remains intact.