Yes, you can change your PSN username, but there are limits

You can change your PlayStation Network username through your account settings on any PlayStation console or through the PlayStation website. Sony allows you to change it once for free, and additional changes cost $9.99 each. The change takes effect when ready across all your games, your profile, and your friends list — but not all games will recognize the new name right away, and some older titles may show your old username in certain places.

The process itself takes about five minutes. You do not need to create a new account, lose your games, or start over. Your game library, trophies, saved data, and friends all stay attached to the same account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first username change is free; each change after that costs $9.99 and can be done once every 30 days.
  • You can change your username on a PS4, PS5, or through the PlayStation website at account.playstation.com.
  • Games released before April 2018 may not recognize your new username and will continue to show your old one in-game.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready for your profile, friends list, and messages, but some games need time to sync the change.
  • You cannot use a username that is already taken, contains profanity, or violates PlayStation's naming policy.

How to change your username on PS4 or PS5

Start on your console's home screen. Go to your profile icon in the top left corner and select it. Choose Account, then Settings, then Account Information. Select Profile, then Online ID. Enter your new username and confirm it. If the name is available, you will see a confirmation screen showing the cost (free for the first change, $9.99 for any after). Select Change to finish.

The system will ask you to sign in again after the change. Once you do, your new username is live. You will see it on your profile when ready, and your friends will see it the next time they look at their friends list.

Changing your username through the PlayStation website

Go to account.playstation.com and sign in with your email and password. Click your profile name in the top right corner and select Account Settings. Choose Profile from the left menu, then select Online ID. Type your new username and click Change. You will be asked to confirm the cost and sign in again.

This method works the same way as changing it on a console. The change is when ready and applies to all your devices — any PS4, PS5, or other PlayStation console you use with that account will show your new username when ready.

What happens to your old username and when games will update

Your old username becomes available for someone else to use after you change it. Your new username is locked to your account and cannot be changed back to your old one.

Games released in April 2018 or later will show your new username in-game, though it may take a few hours or even a day for the change to appear in some titles. Games released before April 2018 will continue to show your old username in-game, in leaderboards, and in saved data — this is a technical limitation on Sony's end and cannot be fixed by changing your username again. Your profile, messages, and friends list will always show your current username, regardless of when the game was made.

Restrictions on usernames and what you cannot do

Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. It cannot start with a number. Sony will reject names that contain profanity, impersonate real people or brands, or violate the PlayStation Network Terms of Service. If your chosen name is already taken by another account, you will need to pick something else.

You cannot reserve a username or hold one while you decide. If you see a name you want, you need to change to it when ready or it may be taken by someone else. You also cannot change your username more than once every 30 days, even if you pay the fee.

The cost and payment details

Your first username change is free, no matter when you make it. Every change after that costs $9.99 in your region's currency. The fee is charged to your PlayStation Network wallet or your payment method on file. You can make a new change 30 days after your last one, so if you change your username today, you cannot change it again until 30 days from now.

If you change your mind within a short window, some support cases allow Sony to reverse a paid change, but this is not may provide. Contact PlayStation Support if you made a mistake and want to ask about a reversal.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see an error saying your username is unavailable, it means someone else has already claimed it or it violates PlayStation's naming rules. Try a different variation — adding numbers or underscores often helps. If the system says you cannot change your username yet, you may have already made a change within the last 30 days. You can only change once per month.

If you changed your username but it is not showing up in a game you play, check whether that game was released before April 2018. If it was, the old username will remain in that game permanently. For newer games, wait a few hours and restart the game — the change usually syncs within a day. If it has been more than 24 hours and a newer game still shows your old name, contact PlayStation Support with the game title and your account details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my games, trophies, or saved data if I change my username?

No. Your games, trophies, saved data, and friends list all stay with your account. Changing your username is purely cosmetic — it changes how your name appears to others, but everything you own remains yours.

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Only if no one else has claimed it. Once you change your username, your old one becomes available for other players to use. If someone has taken it, you cannot get it back. You can always change to a different new username instead.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your password stays the same. You will be asked to sign in again after the change, but you use the same password you always have. Your email address and account security do not change.

What if a game shows my old username even though it was made after 2018?

Wait at least 24 hours and restart the game. Sometimes the sync takes longer than expected. If it still shows your old name after a full day, the game may have a bug or may not fully support the new username system. Contact the game's developer or PlayStation Support for help.

Can I change my username on mobile or through the PlayStation app?

You can view your profile on the PlayStation app, but you cannot change your username through it. Use a PS4, PS5, or the website at account.playstation.com to make the change.