How Do I Delete Addons and DLC on the PlayStation 4?

As a hardcore PlayStation gamer with over 200 games in my PS4 library, dealing with enormous addon downloads and managing storage space is a constant struggle. So if you ever want to remove an addon, delete leftover DLC, or free up space by getting rid of unneeded extras, this comprehensive guide is for you!

Why You Might Want to Delete PS4 Addons

Let‘s start with why you might want to remove addons and DLC in the first place. Here are some of the most common reasons:

• Free up storage space – Game addons can be massive, with some add-on packages exceeding 50GB. Deleting unneeded DLCs can free up a significant amount of drive space.
• Remove extras you don‘t want – Sometimes addon bundles include items you don‘t care for and will never use. Deleting them cleans up your game.
• Fix bugs or performance issues – Occasionally DLCs or addons can cause glitches, crashes or other technical problems. Removing them may resolve these issues.
• Start over fresh – If you are returning to a game after a long absence, removing old add-ons allows you to start fresh.

As you can see, there are plenty of great reasons to want to remove addons and reclaim that precious PS4 hard drive space!

Quick Facts on Addons and PS4 Game Installs

To provide some context around the downloadable content PlayStation owners deal with, here are some quick facts:

• Over 63% of PS4 gamers actively use DLC and addons.
• The average PS4 game requires a 49 GB install.
• Popular addons like those for Call of Duty can exceed 30 to 50 GB per DLC pack.
• Some PlayStation games now exceed 180 GB install sizes when all DLCs are included!

As you can see, addons have become almost mandatory pieces of gaming content – but they come with massive storage requirements. So learning to manage what gets installed is critical knowledge every PS4 gamer should have.

The Sad Truth: You Cannot Delete PS4 DLCs Individually

Now that the stage is set, let‘s get to the crux of this guide – how to delete addons from your PS4 games.

I have some unfortunate news to share up front: It is not possible to delete PS4 addons or DLCs individually.

Once downloaded and installed, the addon content merges with the main game install. There is no way to pick and choose packages to remove.

Instead, deleting addons involves completely uninstalling the entire game first. Then, upon reinstallation, you can selectively avoid downloading any unwanted DLC packs.

I realize this isn‘t ideal – but once merged, the PlayStation environment provides no tools for removing only parts of a installed game. The whole thing must be deleted.

But don‘t worry! I have plenty of tips on the cleanest, safest ways to backup your data and reinstall without addons further in the guide. Keep reading!

How Many GBs Does a PS4 Game Take Up?

To prepare for a full game uninstall and help plan drive space, refer to this table showing install sizes for popular PS4 titles:

Table showing PS4 install sizes for top games as of October 2022

As you can see, storage requirements are no joke – especially with DLCs added.

Knowing the full install size for the games you play helps estimate how much space deleting addons, languages packs or other extras can recover.

For large games like Call of Duty, being able to remove 30-50 GB addon packs is a major consideration as drives fill up.

Step-By-Step: How to Delete DLC and Addons from PS4 Games

Alright, with the basics covered – let‘s get into the step-by-step process for actually removing addons on your PS4!

Follow these instructions to cleanly uninstall a game and reinstall it without unwanted DLCs:

Step 1: Backup Your Game Saves!

I can‘t stress this enough – back up any game saves before deleting a title! Uninstalling erases all local game data, so preserves your progress first.

• Plug in a USB drive or use PlayStation Plus cloud backup to save critical save files. Losing 100+ hours of playtime is heartbreaking – protect your data!

Step 2: Delete the Entire Game

Next, it‘s time to completely remove the game along with all its DLC:

• Go to your PS4 home screen and highlight the game tile.
• Press Options then select Delete.
• Confirm deletion. This removes all content related to that title.

Repeat for any other games you want to clean up.

Step 3: Reinstall the Game Sans DLC

With a fresh slate, now you can reinstall a cleaner version:

• On your home screen, go back to your Library.
• Find the deleted game and select to download it.
• If prompted, deselect any addon packages, map packs or extras you don‘t want filling up your drive.

That‘s it! By selectively installing, you now have a lean version without the storage-hogging DLCs.

Expert Tips for Managing PS4 Addons

To go beyond the basics, here are some pro tips I‘ve picked up for managing addons over the years:

• Regularly audit DLC sizes and delete unused add-ons via full reinstalls. This preserves hundreds of gigs over time.
• For multiplayer fanatics that have to keep all map packs – invest in extended storage with larger capacity drives.
• Be strategic with what DLC to keep. Typically only the latest 2-3 major expansions are critical. Archives can be removed.
• Set downloads to only update addons you explicitly pick rather than auto-installing. Prevent unwanted bloat.

Follow these guidelines and you‘ll keep your PS4 slim and speedy even after hundreds of games!

Common Questions about PS4 DLC Management

To wrap up, here are answers to some frequent questions on managing PS4 downloads:

Does deleting user data also remove addons?

No, the user profiles and save data are kept separate from game installs. Deleting your user will not delete DLCs.

What about initializing or factory resetting my PS4?

Yes, this option erases all game data and addons by resetting to factory conditions. But it also deletes all users and info across the whole system.

Can I play games on a user profile that doesn‘t own the DLC?

You can create a new user that launches the game without addons. But trophies and progress stay on the original profile. Content licenses and ownership are tied to users.

I hope this guide gives you the full details on taking charge of addons and DLCs on your PS4! Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy gaming!