Genshin Impact is a massive open-world RPG that requires significant storage space across all compatible platforms. As the game continues to receive major content updates every six weeks, the file size can quickly exceed the capacity of many standard SSDs and mobile devices. Uninstalling the game is a straightforward process, but the steps vary significantly depending on whether you are using the official PC launcher, a third-party store, a smartphone, or a console.

One primary concern for players is the safety of their game data. Uninstalling the software from any device does not delete your game progress. All character data, gacha pulls, and story progression are stored on HoYoverse servers and linked to your account. You can log back into your account on any device at any time after reinstallation to resume your adventure in Teyvat exactly where you left off.

How to Uninstall Genshin Impact on Windows PC

The PC version of Genshin Impact is the most complex to remove because it involves multiple possible installation paths and potential leftover files that can take up several gigabytes of space even after the main application is gone.

Using the HoyoPlay Launcher

HoYoverse recently transitioned to a unified launcher called HoyoPlay, which manages multiple games like Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero alongside Genshin Impact. If you have updated to this launcher, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the HoyoPlay application on your desktop.
  2. Look at the game navigation bar on the left or top and select the Genshin Impact icon.
  3. Locate the three horizontal lines (Menu icon) or the Settings gear located near the "Start Game" or "Update" button.
  4. Select Game Settings from the dropdown menu.
  5. Scroll to the bottom of the General tab or the specific Game Management tab.
  6. Click on Uninstall Game.
  7. A confirmation window will appear. Confirm the action to begin the removal process.
  8. Wait for the launcher to finish deleting the local assets. This usually takes a few minutes as the launcher removes over 50GB of data.

Using Windows Settings and Control Panel

If you do not wish to open the launcher or if the launcher is unresponsive, you can use the standard Windows uninstallation tools.

  1. Press the Windows Key on your keyboard or click the Start button.
  2. Type Settings and press Enter.
  3. Navigate to Apps and then select Installed Apps (or Apps & Features in Windows 10).
  4. Use the search bar to find "Genshin Impact."
  5. Click on the three dots (Windows 11) or click the game icon (Windows 10) and select Uninstall.
  6. Windows will ask for confirmation; click Uninstall again.
  7. The HoYoverse uninstaller wizard will launch. Follow the on-screen prompts, which usually involve clicking a "Confirm Uninstall" button within the wizard interface.

Using the Epic Games Launcher

For players who installed the game through the Epic Games Store, the uninstallation must be handled through their client to ensure the library status is updated correctly.

  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher.
  2. Click on the Library tab on the left-hand sidebar.
  3. Find Genshin Impact in your list of games. You can use the search bar at the top if your library is large.
  4. Click on the three dots (...) located at the bottom right of the Genshin Impact tile.
  5. Select Uninstall from the list of options.
  6. Confirm the uninstallation in the pop-up window. Epic Games will handle the removal of the core game files.

How to Completely Remove Genshin Impact Leftover Files on PC

Standard uninstallation often leaves behind temporary files, logs, and registry entries. If you are uninstalling the game to free up every possible megabyte of space, manual cleanup is necessary.

Deleting the AppData Folder

Genshin Impact stores local user configurations, shaders, and temporary data in the AppData directory. This folder is hidden by default.

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type %LocalAppData% and hit Enter.
  3. Look for a folder named miHoYo. Note that this folder might contain data for other HoYoverse games if you play them.
  4. Inside the miHoYo folder, locate the Genshin Impact subfolder and delete it.
  5. Go back to the Run dialog (Windows + R) and type %UserProfile%\AppData\LocalLow\miHoYo.
  6. Again, look for any Genshin Impact related folders and delete them. This area often stores "persistent" data that the standard uninstaller ignores.

Removing Registry Entries

Warning: Modifying the Windows Registry should be done with caution. Incorrect changes can affect system stability.

  1. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\miHoYo
  3. Right-click on the Genshin Impact folder and select Delete.
  4. This ensures that when you reinstall the game in the future, it starts with a clean slate without carrying over old, potentially corrupted settings.

How to Uninstall Genshin Impact on Mobile Devices

Mobile storage is often more restricted than PC storage, making the removal of Genshin Impact’s 20GB+ mobile footprint a common necessity for smartphone users.

Removing Genshin Impact on Android

There are two primary ways to remove the game from an Android device: via the home screen or via the Google Play Store.

Home Screen Method:

  1. Locate the Genshin Impact icon on your home screen or in your App Drawer.
  2. Long-press (tap and hold) the icon until a context menu appears.
  3. Tap Uninstall (usually represented by a trash can icon or the word "Uninstall").
  4. Confirm the deletion when the system prompt appears.

Google Play Store Method:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app.
  2. Tap on your Profile Picture in the top right corner.
  3. Select Manage apps & device.
  4. Go to the Manage tab.
  5. Find Genshin Impact in the list and check the box next to it.
  6. Tap the Trash Can icon in the top right corner and confirm the uninstallation.

Deleting Genshin Impact on iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Apple devices offer a "Delete App" feature that removes all associated data.

  1. Find the Genshin Impact app icon on your Home Screen or in the App Library.
  2. Long-press the icon until the apps start to jiggle or a menu pops up.
  3. Tap Remove App.
  4. A secondary menu will ask if you want to "Delete App" or "Remove from Home Screen." Select Delete App.
  5. Confirm by tapping Delete again.

Note for iOS users: If you only want to free up space but keep the app icon and your local settings, you can go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Genshin Impact and select Offload App. This deletes the core game files but keeps the local documents and data.

How to Uninstall Genshin Impact on PS4 and PS5

PlayStation consoles treat Genshin Impact like any other digital title. The process is quick but requires navigation through the system's storage or library menus.

Uninstallation on PlayStation 5

  1. Go to the Games Home screen.
  2. Navigate to the Genshin Impact icon.
  3. Press the Options button on your DualSense controller (the button with three horizontal lines to the right of the touchpad).
  4. Select Delete from the side menu.
  5. Confirm the action.

Uninstallation on PlayStation 4

  1. Navigate to the Library from the main dashboard.
  2. Go to the Purchased or Applications section.
  3. Highlight Genshin Impact.
  4. Press the Options button on your DualShock 4 controller.
  5. Select Delete and press OK to confirm.

Managing Save Data on PlayStation

On PlayStation, game application files and save data are stored separately. While the game application is huge, the save data is tiny. Even after deleting the game, your PlayStation account will keep a small save file. Since Genshin Impact is an online-only game, this local save file essentially just stores your login token and basic settings. To remove it completely:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select Storage.
  3. Select Saved Data.
  4. Choose Genshin Impact and select Delete.

Troubleshooting Common Uninstallation Issues

Sometimes, the game refuses to uninstall through traditional means. This can happen due to corrupted files or background processes.

Game is Currently Running Error

If Windows or your mobile device claims the app is still open, it cannot be deleted.

  • On PC: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Look for GenshinImpact.exe or HoyoPlay.exe. Right-click them and select End Task.
  • On Mobile: Swipe up (or press the multitasking button) and clear Genshin Impact from your recent apps.

Missing Uninstaller

If the uninstaller file is missing from the game directory, the Windows Control Panel method will fail. In this case, you should:

  1. Re-download the HoyoPlay launcher.
  2. Let it "locate" the existing game files.
  3. Use the launcher’s built-in uninstall tool as described in the first section. This will repair the link and allow for a clean removal.

Antivirus Interference

Some aggressive antivirus software may lock game files to scan them, preventing the uninstaller from deleting them. Temporarily disabling your antivirus for 10 minutes can often resolve "Access Denied" errors during uninstallation.

Why is Genshin Impact Taking Up So Much Space?

Before you decide to uninstall completely, it is worth understanding why the game is so large and if there are ways to shrink it. Genshin Impact includes high-resolution textures, pre-rendered cutscenes, and extensive voice acting in four languages (English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean).

If you are uninstalling just to save space, consider deleting unused voice packs first.

  1. Open the game and go to the Paimon Menu.
  2. Select Settings (Gear icon).
  3. Go to Language > Manage Voice-Over Files.
  4. Delete the languages you do not use. This can save between 5GB and 10GB of space, which might be enough to keep the game on your device.

Summary

Uninstalling Genshin Impact is a safe process that does not risk your account progress. For PC users, using the HoyoPlay launcher is the most efficient method, though manual cleanup of the AppData and Registry folders is recommended for those seeking a total system purge. Mobile and console users can rely on their respective OS-level deletion tools. Always ensure that any background processes are closed before attempting a removal to avoid common system errors.

FAQ

Does uninstalling Genshin Impact delete my characters?

No. Your characters, weapons, and progress are saved on HoYoverse servers. As long as you remember your login credentials, you can access your data on any device after reinstalling the game.

Can I move Genshin Impact to another drive instead of uninstalling?

Yes. On PC, the HoyoPlay launcher allows you to "Change Path" or move game files to a different drive. This is often a better solution than a full uninstallation if you simply have a full primary SSD.

How much space will I get back after uninstalling?

On PC, you will typically free up between 70GB and 100GB. On mobile, it ranges from 15GB to 30GB depending on how many language packs you had installed. PlayStation users can expect to reclaim roughly 70GB to 90GB.

Do I need to uninstall the launcher too?

Uninstalling the game does not automatically remove the HoyoPlay launcher or the Epic Games Launcher. If you want to remove everything, you must uninstall the launchers separately through the Windows "Installed Apps" menu.

Why does the game still appear in my Windows list after uninstalling?

This usually happens if the uninstallation was interrupted. You can manually delete the game folder in C:\Program Files and use a registry cleaner to remove the ghost entry from the list.