Yes, you can change your PS5 username, but with one important limit

You can change your PlayStation Network username on your PS5, and the process takes about five minutes. However, your first username change is free, and every change after that costs $9.99. You make the change through your account settings on the console itself or through the PlayStation website — both methods work the same way and update across all your devices when ready.

The username you choose becomes your public profile name, visible to anyone who searches for you or sees you in multiplayer games. It does not change your email address or your account sign-in credentials — those stay the same. If you have never changed your username before, this is your one free opportunity.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first username change is free; every change after costs $9.99 through PlayStation Network.
  • You change your username in Account Settings on your PS5 console or through your account on the PlayStation website.
  • The new username appears when ready across all PlayStation devices and in all games you play.
  • Your email address and password do not change when you update your username.
  • Some games may not recognize the new name right away, though this is rare and usually fixes itself within a few hours.

How to change your username on the PS5 console

Start at the PS5 home screen and go to your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Profile, then scroll down and choose Account. From there, select Other, then Change Your Profile. You will see an option for User Name — select it and type in the new name you want.

PlayStation has a few rules about what you can name yourself: the username must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters and numbers, and can use hyphens or underscores but not spaces. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are treated as the same name. If the name you want is already taken by another player, the system will tell you and ask you to pick something else.

Once you enter a name that is available, the system will ask you to confirm the change. If this is your first change, you will see a message saying it is free. If you have already used your free change, you will be prompted to pay $9.99 through your PlayStation wallet or linked payment method before the change goes through.

How to change your username through the PlayStation website

Go to www.playstation.com and sign in with your account email and password. Click on your profile icon in the top right, then select Account Settings. Look for Profile in the left menu and click it, then find User Name and select Change.

The process is identical to the console method — you type in your new name, the system checks if it is available, and you confirm the change. If this is your first change, it will be free. If you have already made one change, you will need to pay $9.99. The new username will sync to your PS5 and all other PlayStation devices within a few minutes.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim. You cannot get it back unless you change your username again and happen to choose it — but if someone else has taken it in the meantime, that is not possible. This is why some players keep their original username even if they want to change it later.

Your friends list, trophies, game progress, and purchase history all stay attached to your account. The username is just the display name — everything else tied to your account remains exactly the same. People who had you added as a friend will still see you in their friends list under your new name.

Why some games might not show your new username right away

Most games update your username within minutes, but some older games or games that do not connect to the internet regularly may take a few hours to recognize the change. This is because those games store a local copy of your username and only sync with PlayStation Network periodically. If you see your old name in a game a few hours after changing it, wait a bit longer and the game should catch up.

If a game still shows your old username after a full day, restart the game or restart your PS5 console. That usually forces the game to fetch your current information from PlayStation Network. If the problem persists after that, the game itself may have a bug, and you would need to contact the game's support team.

Things to know before you change your username

Think carefully about your new username because changing it again will cost money. Some players choose a name they think they will be happy with for years, while others change it more often and budget for the $9.99 cost. There is no limit to how many times you can change it — you just pay each time after the first.

If you are changing your username because someone is harassing you or impersonating you, also report that person to PlayStation. Go to their profile, select the three dots menu, and choose Report User. Describe what is happening, and PlayStation will investigate. Changing your username is a good safety step, but reporting the harasser helps prevent them from doing it to others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username affect my PlayStation Plus subscription?

No. Your subscription stays active and attached to your account. You will still have access to online multiplayer, free games, and cloud saves under your new username. Your billing information and subscription status do not change.

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Only if no one else has claimed it. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for other players. If someone has taken it, you cannot use it again unless they change theirs first. You can always choose a different name instead.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list updates automatically, and anyone who had you added will see your new username. They can still message you and join your games. You do not need to re-add anyone or send new friend requests.

What if I want to change my username but do not have a payment method on file?

You can add a payment method through your account settings on the PlayStation website before you attempt the change. Go to Account Settings, select Payment and Subscriptions, then Payment Methods, and add a credit card or debit card. After that, you can change your username and pay the $9.99 fee.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. PlayStation only allows letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), hyphens, and underscores. Spaces, periods, and other special characters are not permitted. Your username must also be between 3 and 16 characters long.