Yes, you can change your PS4 username, but with limits

You can change your PlayStation Network username on PS4, but Sony restricts how often you can do it. Your first username change is free. After that, each change costs $9.99. You also cannot change back to a username you used before — once you switch away from a name, that name is retired from your account permanently.

The change takes effect when ready across all your PlayStation devices and services. Your friends list, trophies, and game progress all stay attached to your account; only the display name changes. If you change your mind within 30 days, you can request a one-time reversal to your previous username at no cost, but you must contact PlayStation Support directly to do this.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first PS4 username change is free; all changes after that cost $9.99 each.
  • You cannot revert to a username you previously used, even if you change your mind later.
  • The change applies when ready to your entire PlayStation account, not just PS4.
  • You have 30 days to request a free reversal to your previous username by contacting PlayStation Support.
  • Changing your username does not affect your game saves, trophies, or friends list.

How to change your username on PS4

Start on your PS4 home screen and go to your profile. Press the Options button on your controller, then select Edit Profile. Scroll down to Online ID and select it. You will see your current username and a button to change it.

Enter your new username. PlayStation has rules about what names are allowed: no spaces, no special characters except hyphens and underscores, and names must be between 3 and 16 characters long. The system will tell you when ready if your choice breaks these rules or if the name is already taken. Once you pick an available name, confirm the change. If this is your first change, you will not be charged. If you have already made one free change, the system will ask you to pay $9.99 before proceeding.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one becomes unavailable to you forever. You cannot reclaim it later, and you cannot change to it again even if you want to. This is permanent. However, other players cannot take your old username either — it stays reserved to your account in PlayStation's system.

Your friends will see your new username when ready in their friends list. Any messages you sent before the change will still show your old name in the message history, but your profile and all future interactions will display the new name.

The 30-day reversal window

PlayStation gives you one chance to undo a username change within 30 days of making it. This reversal is free and is separate from your one free change. To request it, you must contact PlayStation Support through their website or by phone — you cannot do it through the PS4 menu.

The reversal takes you back to the username you had when ready before the change. If you made multiple changes, you cannot jump back further than one step. Once the 30 days pass, the reversal option expires and you cannot get that username back.

Usernames that will be rejected

PlayStation will not let you use a name that violates their code of conduct. This includes names with profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. The system screens names automatically, so you will get an error message if your choice is blocked. You will not be told exactly why it was rejected — you straightforward need to pick a different name.

Names that are too similar to existing PlayStation Network usernames may also be rejected. The system flags names that are extremely close to popular accounts or official PlayStation accounts to prevent impersonation.

Changing your username on other PlayStation devices

You can change your username from PS5, the PlayStation App on mobile, or the PlayStation website — the process is the same and the cost is the same. The change syncs across all your devices when ready. If you own both PS4 and PS5, changing your name on one automatically updates it on the other.

The free first change and the $9.99 cost for subsequent changes explore to your entire PlayStation Network account, not per device. If you use your free change on PS5, you cannot use another free change on PS4.

What does not change when you update your username

Your account ID — a number assigned to you when you created your account — never changes. This is what PlayStation uses internally to track your progress, trophies, and purchases. Games and services use your account ID, not your username, so changing your name does not affect any of your game data or progress.

Your email address, password, and two-factor authentication settings stay the same. Your trophy list, game library, and saved games all remain attached to your account. Friends you had before the change stay on your friends list. The only thing that changes is what other players see when they look at your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes. Your first change is free. Each change after that costs $9.99. There is no limit to how many times you can change your name, as long as you are willing to pay for each change after the first one.

What if someone else takes my old username?

They cannot. Your old username is permanently reserved to your account even though you are no longer using it. No other player can claim it, even years later.

Can I get my old username back for free?

Only within 30 days of changing it, and only once. You must contact PlayStation Support to request the reversal. After 30 days, the option expires and you would have to pay $9.99 to change to a different name.

Will my friends know I changed my username?

Yes. Your friends will see the new name in their friends list when ready. If they look at your profile, they will see only your current username, not your history of past names.

Does changing my username affect my game saves?

No. Your game saves, trophies, and all progress are tied to your account ID, not your username. Changing your name does not touch any of that data.