Yes, you can change your PlayStation username, but the process and consequences depend on which PlayStation system you use and how many times you have changed it before

PlayStation allows you to change the username associated with your account, but Sony treats this differently depending on whether you play on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, or older systems. On PS4 and PS5, you can change your username once for free, and then pay $9.99 USD for each change after that. On PlayStation 3 and earlier systems, you cannot change your username at all — the name you chose when you created the account is permanent.

The change itself takes effect when ready across all your devices and games. Your friends list updates automatically, and people can find you by your new name right away. However, some older games may still display your old username in their own systems, because those games store your name separately from your PlayStation Network account. Your game progress, trophies, and purchases stay with your account no matter what name you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • PS4 and PS5 owners get one free username change, then pay $9.99 for each additional change; PS3 and earlier owners cannot change their username at all.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready on your console and across PlayStation Network, but some older games may continue to show your old name in their own chat or leaderboards.
  • Your games, trophies, friends list, and purchases all stay attached to your account when you change your username.
  • You cannot use a username that is already taken, contains profanity, or violates PlayStation Network's code of conduct.
  • If you change your username and then want to go back, you have to pay the $9.99 fee again — there is no "undo" option.

How to change your username on PS4 or PS5

Start on your console and go to Settings, then Account, then Profile. Select your profile, then choose Users and Accounts. From there, select your account name and choose Change. Type in your new username — it must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, and cannot start with a number. PlayStation will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or violates the code of conduct.

If this is your first change, you will not be charged. If you have already used your free change, you will see a prompt asking you to pay $9.99 through your payment method on file. Once you confirm the payment, the change is complete and your new username appears everywhere on your console within seconds.

You can also change your username through the PlayStation app on your phone or through the PlayStation website at account.playstation.com. The steps are the same: go to your profile settings, find the username field, and enter your new name. The change syncs to your console automatically.

What happens to your games and progress

Your game library, saved data, trophies, and playtime statistics all remain attached to your account. When you change your username, none of that goes anywhere — you log in with the same account, so everything you own and have earned stays with you. Friends who had you on their list will see your new username, and you will appear under the new name in any multiplayer lobbies or party chats.

The one exception is older games that store usernames in their own databases rather than pulling them from PlayStation Network. Games like some versions of Call of Duty, Destiny, or other online shooters may continue to display your old username in their leaderboards, chat logs, or game-specific friend lists. This is because those games have their own account systems that do not automatically sync with PlayStation Network changes. You may be able to update your name within those games' settings, but you would have to do it separately for each game.

The cost of changing your username more than once

Your first username change on PS4 or PS5 is free. Every change after that costs $9.99 USD, or the equivalent in your region's currency. This fee applies each time you want a new name — there is no bulk discount or subscription option. If you change your mind and want to go back to a previous username, you have to pay the fee again, because reverting is treated the same as any other change.

PlayStation does not offer refunds on username change fees, even if you change your mind within minutes. Before you confirm a new username, make sure it is one you actually want to keep for a while. You can see how many free changes you have left by going to your account settings and looking at your username change history.

Rules for what your new username can be

PlayStation Network has specific rules about what usernames are allowed. Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and hyphens, but you cannot use spaces, special characters like underscores or periods, or start with a number. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "MyName" and "myname" are treated as the same username.

You cannot choose a username that is already taken by another account. You also cannot use profanity, slurs, or names that impersonate real people or celebrities. If you try to use a name that violates these rules, PlayStation will reject it and ask you to choose something else. If you have already paid for a change and then chosen a name that gets rejected, you do not get your money back — you have to try again with a different name and pay another $9.99.

What to do if your desired username is already taken

If the username you want is taken, PlayStation will tell you when ready when you try to claim it. You have a few options: you can add numbers to the end of the name (like "JohnSmith42" instead of "JohnSmith"), use a hyphen in the middle, or choose a completely different name. Some people add their birth year, a favorite number, or initials to make their desired name unique.

There is no way to request that someone else release a username they are not using. PlayStation does not have a system for claiming inactive accounts or freeing up old usernames. If the name you want belongs to someone else, your only option is to choose a variation or pick something else entirely.

Changing your username on PlayStation 3 and older systems

PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and original PlayStation accounts do not support username changes. The name you chose when you first created your account is permanent and cannot be modified. If you created a PS3 account years ago with a username you no longer like, your only option is to create a new account with a different name — but you would lose access to any games, trophies, or purchases tied to the old account.

If you have a PS3 but want to change your username, you can create a new PlayStation Network account on that console and use it going forward. However, any games you purchased on your old account will not transfer to the new one. You would have to repurchase them or continue using the old account for those games while using the new account for new purchases and online play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my friends lose me if I change my username?

No. Your friends list updates automatically, and anyone who had you added will see your new username. You will still appear in their friends list under the new name, and they can message you or invite you to games without any extra steps. You do not have to re-add each other.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, but you have to pay $9.99 to do it, because reverting to an old name counts as a username change. There is no free "undo" option. If you change your mind within a few minutes, you cannot get your money back — you would have to pay again to switch back.

Do I lose my trophies or achievements when I change my username?

No. All your trophies, achievements, playtime, and game progress stay attached to your account. Your trophy list will display under your new username, and your stats carry over completely. The only thing that changes is the name displayed next to those accomplishments.

What if a game shows my old username even after I changed it?

Some older games store usernames separately from PlayStation Network and do not automatically update when you change your name. Check that game's settings or account page to see if you can update your name within the game itself. If the game does not have that option, you may be stuck with the old name in that specific game's systems, even though PlayStation Network shows your new name everywhere else.

Can I change my username if I have an active ban or suspension?

You can change your username while suspended or banned, but changing your name does not lift the suspension or ban. Your account restrictions stay in place regardless of what name you use. Attempting to change your username to evade a ban is against PlayStation Network's code of conduct and can result in a permanent account closure.