On this page, you will see how to recover data after initializing PS4 in 3 ways, along with step by step instructions.
We all understand the huge frustration that comes with losing the game data and leaderboards you've built up over time. Sometimes we have to face the PS4 initialization situation. But what does Initialize PS4 mean and what does Initialize PS4 do? Why did my game data disappear after initializing my PS4?
No need to worry. In this article, we will provide you with a detailed guide to understand the PS4 initialization process and introduce you to the best method to recover data after PS4 initialization. Keep reading to learn more!
PS4 initialization refers to the process of restoring the console's settings to their default state. When you initialize your PS4, it erases all user data, including games, apps, saved game progress, and personal settings. It basically resets the console as if it were new.
The initialization process is typically used in situations where you want to start over with your PS4, troubleshoot software issues, or prepare the console for sale or transfer. However, it is important to understand that initializing your PS4 will result in the loss of all your games and data unless you have backed them up first.
It's important to be careful before initializing and make sure you have a backup of your games and data to avoid losing valuable progress or content.
Many users have asked what happens if I initialize a disk with data on it. When you initialize your PS4, a few key events occur:
1️⃣Erase Data: All data on your PS4's internal memory will be erased. This includes:
2️⃣System Reset: The PS4 system software will be reset to its default state. This means that any customizations or changes you have made to system settings will be lost. You'll go through the initial setup process.
3️⃣No impact on external memory: All data on external devices connected to your PS4 will remain intact. However, these devices will need to be reconnected and reconfigured after initialization.
4️⃣Impact 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. After initialization, you can reconnect to your PSN account and re-download the purchased content.
Initializing your PS4 may be a necessary step to troubleshoot issues or prepare the console for a new owner. However, this can also lead to the loss of your game data. Fortunately, there are 3 methods to restore your games after initializing your PS4, even recover data without backup first.
Restoring your games after initializing/resetting your PS4 can be a challenge, especially if you don't have a backup. However, data recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery can be an effective tool to recover PS4 data after initialization, with a high success rate and fast speed.
You can click the download button first, try the free edition of AOMEI FastRecovery, which allows you to recover data after initializing PS4, up to 500MB for free.
Step 1. Run AOMEI FastRecovery and scan PS4 hard drive
Install and run AOMEI FastRecovery on your Windows PC. Connect your PS4 hard drive to your computer and hover over the drive. Click Scan to continue.
Step 2. Review the found data
It will automatically perform a Quick Scan to find all your data on PS4 hard drive and display them by Type or Path, allowing you to sort across multiple options.
📍📍📍Notes:
✅ For specific files or folders, type the file name or the extension in the search box. Or click the filter button to specify the data type (e.g., Images).
✅ Click the Deep Scan button if the Quick Scan fails to locate the desired files. Deep Scan searches every sector of the disk to find more files.
Step 3. Restore Data
Once found, double-click game data to preview and confirm you are selecting the right ones. Just select the data and click Recover. Save the recovered files to a new drive, preventing data overwriting.
If you're a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you have access to 100GB of cloud storage to back up your game data. The autosave feature backs up your PS4 games to the cloud. Here's how to recover lost game data after initializing your PS4:
1. From the PS4 home menu, click PlayStation Plus > Manage Membership > Online Storage.
2. Click Saved Data in Online Storage.
3. Click Download to System Storage.
4. Select the games you want to restore and click Download to start the recovery process.
5. Wait until the download finishes, and your games will be saved to the PS4 system storage.
If you purchased games from the PlayStation Store, you can download them again for free using the same account you used for the original purchase. Here's how to recover lost game data.
1. Log in to your PS4 using the same account credentials you used to purchase the games.
2. Open the PlayStation Store and check your purchased games.
3. Select the games and download them to the PS4 local storage.
This article shows you the initialization process on PS4 and what happens after initializing PS4, and offers users 3 useful methods to recover data after initializing PS4 quickly and efficiently. Reliable data recovery software can be a great choice if you don't have any backup.