How to Erase Your Save Data in Pokémon Emerald

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Quickly reset your Pokémon Emerald save file in just a few steps

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Ishrak

Last Updated: April 3, 2026 Fact Checked

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On a GBA Cartridge

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On an Emulator

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FAQ

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Video

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Q&A

Do you want to start over in Pokémon Emerald, but don't know how? When you start up Emerald, there isn't an obvious button to delete your save file. Thankfully, deleting your save isn't too hard. In this article, we'll go over how to delete your Pokémon Emerald data on a Game Boy Advance cartridge as well as on an emulator.

Clearing Your Pokémon Emerald Data

To clear your data in Pokémon Emerald, open your game to the start screen and press and hold Up + B + Select at the same time. You can then delete your save using the prompts on screen. If you use an emulator, simply delete your Emerald save file to start a new game.

Section 1 of 3:

On a GBA Cartridge

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Once the game starts and you see the "start" screen (pictured above), move to the next step.
You may need to set your Game Boy Advance on a table to easily press all these buttons at once.

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The game will ask if you want to delete your save data. It will warn you that deleting your save data is permanent.
After your save data is deleted, you'll be brought back to the main menu. Choose the option to start a new game.
Once you start a new game, the initial cutscene will play, allowing you to create your character in a new save file.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 3:

On an Emulator

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1
Locate your .sav file. While you can use the steps in the method above to start over in Pokémon Emerald on an emulator,^{[2]
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Research source} it's much easier to just delete the emulator's save file.
- Emulator saves are usually saved within your emulator's folder. If you set a custom save filepath, check that location.
- If you're not sure how to run Emerald on an emulator, check out our complete guide on setting it up.
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Delete your Pokémon Emerald save file. Right-click the save file and clickDelete.
- If you want to save this file for later but you don't want to use it right now, you can simply move it to a different folder instead of deleting it permanently.
- If you delete your save file but decide you want it back, check your Recycle Bin or Trash folder. The file will stay there until the Recycle Bin or Trash is emptied.
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Run Emerald in your emulator again. The game should boot up as if you don't have a previous save file. You can then start a new game with a new character.

Section 3 of 3:

FAQ

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1
Can I start a new game without deleting my save file? Yes, in Pokémon Emerald, you can start a new game on the title selection screen without deleting your save file.^{[3]
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Research source} However, this method doesn't work for every Pokémon game, and other games will require you to delete your save file before you can make a new one.
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Will all of my Pokémon be deleted if I delete my save file? Yes, deleting your save file also deletes all of your Pokémon. If you want to save any of the Pokémon you've caught, you'll need to trade them to a different game. To trade from a GBA game, you'll need a Nintendo DS with a GBA cartridge slot, and you'll need a copy of Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, SoulSilver, or HeartGold to get started.^{[4]
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Is deleting my Pokémon save data permanent? Yes, deleting your save data in Emerald is permanent. Once you delete your save, there's no way to get it back. If you delete your emulator save by just deleting the file, however, you can get it back by going to your Recycle Bin or Trash and restoring the file.
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How do I soft reset Pokémon Emerald? To soft reset your game, press ⇱ Home + Select + A + B at the same time. You may need to set your Game Boy Advance on a table to press all of these buttons at once. Soft resetting won't delete your data, but it will restart your game without having to press the power button. Many Pokémon players use this to easily restart their game when they're shiny hunting.

Community Q&A

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How do I transfer my legends to the new game?

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Community Answer

You can transfer Pokémon by trading them into another game, and then trading back into the new file. They can be easily traded into Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Fire Red, Leaf Green, Colosseum, and XD: Gale of Darkness. However, if the Pokémon is not in the Hoenn Pokédex, you will not be able to trade until you acquire the national Pokédex.

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