3 Ways | Can You Get Your Data Back After Initialization PS4?

Have you ever experienced that heart-pounding moment when you realize that your PS4 has been initialized and all your precious game data is seemingly lost forever? It’s a gamer’s nightmare, right? But don’t panic! You might be asking yourself, “Can you get your data back after initialization PS4?”

Well, I have good news for you. Yes, this guide offers 3 workable ways to help you recover game data after initializing PS4/PS5. In addition, you can learn what is initializing a PS4, what does initializing a PS4 do, and how to initialize a PS4 without losing data.

What Happens if You Initialize Your PS4

Many users asked what to do after initializing PS4. When you initialize your PS4, several key things happen:

🎇 Data Deletion: All data on your PS4's internal storage will be deleted. This includes:

• Game Installations: All installed games will be deleted.
• Saved Data: Does initializing PS4 delete games? Yes. All game saves, screenshots, and video clips will be deleted.
• User Profiles: All user accounts and their associated settings will be deleted.
• System Settings: All system settings will be restored to their default settings.

🐱‍🚀 System Reset: The PS4 system software will be reset to its default state. This means that any customizations or changes you've made to the system settings will be lost. The PS4 will also run through the initial setup process you encountered when you first set up your console.

🎏 No Impact on External Storage: It's important to note that the initialization process only affects the PS4's internal storage. Any data on external drives connected to your PS4 will remain intact. However, these drives will need to be reconnected and reconfigured after initialization.

🎊 Impact on Account Data: Your PlayStation Network (PSN) account information is not stored on the PS4 itself, but rather on Sony's servers. Therefore, initializing your PS4 will not delete your PSN account. Once initialized, you can log back into your PSN account and re-download your purchased content.

How to Recover My Games After Initializing PS4?

Initializing your PS4 can be a necessary step to resolve issues or prepare the console for a new owner. However, it can also result in the loss of your game data. Fortunately, there are 3 methods to recover your games after initializing your PS4, even without a prior backup.

Way 1. Recover PS4 Data After Initializing (Without Backup)

Recovering your games after initializing/ factory reset PS4 can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a backup. However, data recovery software like MyRecover can be an effective tool to recover PS4 data after initializing. MyRecover is designed to retrieve lost files from a variety of devices, including gaming consoles like PS4/PS5.

Key features of MyRecover:

🍕 An intuitive user interface allows easy navigation and data recovery in just 3 clicks.
🍕 Apply to any data loss situation: you can get data back from initialized disks, formatted storage devices, or after virus attacks, system crashes, accidental deletion, and more.
🍕 Support recover lost saved game data on PS5, PS4, Xbox One, etc., and recover popular PC games.
🍕 Combined scanning ensures you find and recover data from PS4 hard drives quickly and effectively.
🍕 Recover game data after initializing PS4 with a high success recovery rate and fast speed, keeping their original filename, directory, path, format, and quality.

You can try MyRecover free edition first, it allows you to recover data after initializing PS4, up to 500MB for free. “How to get my games back after initializing my PS4?” Download MyRecover and follow the simple steps below.

Step 1. Run MyRecover and scan the PS4 hard drive

Install, and run MyRecover on your Windows PC. Connect your PS4 hard drive to your PC and hover over the drive, click Scan to continue.

Step 2. Preview found data

Quick Scan and Deep Scan will find all your data from the PS4 hard drive. You can use the Filter feature to find the desired files and preview the data before recovery.

Step 3. Recover data

Just select the data and click Recover X Files. Save the recovered files from the original to a new drive. In a few minutes, your data will be restored smoothly.

Way 2. Restore PS4 Game Data from Cloud Storage

If you're a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you have access to 100GB of cloud storage to save your game data. The auto-save feature backs up your PS4 games to the cloud. Here’s how you can recover lost game data after initializing your PS4:

Navigate to Settings: From the PS4 home menu, go to Settings.

Select Application Saved Data Management: Choose this option to manage your saved data.

Choose Saved Data in Online Storage: This is where your cloud saves are stored.

Download to System Storage: Select this option to begin downloading your saved data.

Select the Files You Need: Browse through your saved game data and choose the files you want to restore.

Start the Download: Click on the Download button to begin the restoration process.

Way 3. Recover PS4 Data from the PlayStation Store

If you purchased games from the PlayStation Store, you can re-download them for free using the same account you used for the original purchase. Here’s how to recover deleted files on PS4:

Sign in to Your PS4: Use the same account credentials you used to purchase the games.

Open the PlayStation Store: Navigate to the store from the main menu.

Browse Your Purchased Games: Look for the games you want to recover.

Initiate the Download: Select the games and start the download process to the PS4's local storage.

How to Initialize PS4 Without Losing Data?

If you need to initialize your PS4 but don't want to lose all your data, you can use Safe Mode. The PS4 has a “Restore Default Settings” option in Safe Mode, which restores the system settings to their default values without erasing your data. Here’s how you can initialize your PS4 without losing data:

• Enter Safe Mode: Fully shut down your PS4. Press and hold the power button until you hear a second beep (approximately seven seconds). Release the power button after the second beep.
• Connect a controller: The PS4 will prompt you to connect your controller using a USB cable. Press the PS button on your controller.
• Select Restore Default Settings: In the Safe Mode menu, navigate using your controller. Select Restore Default Settings option.

What Is Initializing PS4? & What Does Initialize PS4 Do?

What does initializing a PS4 mean? Initializing your PS4 is the process of restoring your console to factory settings. Does initializing and formatting disk erase data? This action will delete all user data, including games, saved data, profiles, and settings, essentially returning your PS4 to the state it was in when you first took it out of the box. The initialization process may be necessary for the following reasons:

System issues: If your PS4 is experiencing ongoing software issues, initialization can help resolve those issues by resetting everything.

Selling or giving away: If you are transferring ownership of your console, initialization ensures that the new user cannot access your personal data.

Performance improvements: Sometimes, starting over can help improve the overall performance of your PS4.

Conclusion

Can you get your data back after initialization PS4? The answer isn’t straightforward, but there’s hope. While initialization erases data, it doesn’t necessarily destroy it. With the right tools and techniques, you might be able to recover your lost data.

To recover PS4 data after initializing without any omission. MyRecover is a good option, you can use it to recover deleted files from external hard drives, USB flash drives, SD cards, SSDs, HDDs, etc. Enjoy it for free and recover your data instantly!

FAQs About Initializing PS4

1. Does Initializing PS4 Delete Everything?

When you initialize your system, all settings, information, and games saved on the PS4 system are deleted. This process cannot be undone, so be sure not to delete any important data by mistake. Deleted data cannot be restored. Do not turn off the PS4 system during initialization.

2. Can Initializing a PS4 Fix Certain Issues or Errors?

Yes, initializing a PS4 can help resolve certain software-related issues or errors by restoring the system to its default settings. However, it is crucial to note that this will result in the loss of all data.

3. Does Initializing a PS4 Delete System Software?

No, initializing a PS4 does not delete the system software. It only removes user data and settings, while the system software remains intact.

4. Is There Any Way to Undo the Initialization Process on a PS4?

Unfortunately, once you initialize a PS4, the process cannot be undone. The data is permanently erased, and there is no built-in feature to revert the console to its previous state.

5. Will I Lose My Account If I Initialize My PS4?

Yes, initializing a PS4 will result in the loss of your account information. Remember your account credentials to regain access to your digital purchases, online progress, and trophies.

6. Can I Log Back Into My Account After I Initialize My PS4? 

Yes, you can sign back into your PS4 after you reset it. If you don’t have PS Plus, you can still re-download any digital games you own. However, any saved games, screenshots, or videos will be gone unless you back them up to a USB stick first.

7. How to Get Data Back After Factory Reset PS4?

To restore data from a backup, follow these steps:

• Make sure you don't erase any important data by mistake.
• Go to Settings > System > Back Up and Restore.
• Insert the USB drive that contains the backup into your PS4 console.
• Select Restore PS4.
• Select the backup file you'd like to restore.
• Select Yes to restore.