You can change your PS5 username through your account settings on the console itself

Your PlayStation Network (PSN) username is the name other players see when you're online. To change it on PS5, you go to your profile settings, select the account information section, and choose the option to change your online ID. The whole process takes about five minutes and doesn't require a computer or phone — everything happens on the console.

Sony lets you change your PSN name once for free. After that, each additional change costs $9.99. You can change it back to your original name at any time without paying again, which is useful if you want to test a new username before committing to it permanently.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first PSN username change is free; subsequent changes cost $9.99 each.
  • The change takes effect when ready across all your games and your profile, though some older games may have display issues.
  • You can revert to your original username at any time without paying the fee again.
  • Some games won't recognize the new name properly if they were made before 2018, but your actual account access and online play remain unaffected.

The exact steps to change your username on PS5

Start at the PS5 home screen. Press the PS button on your controller to open the control center, then navigate to your profile icon in the top left corner and select it. This opens your profile menu.

From your profile menu, scroll down and select "Profile Settings." Then choose "Account" and look for "Other" or "Online ID" depending on your system language. Select "Change Online ID." The system will show you your current username and ask you to enter a new one. Type your new username — it must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot contain spaces or special characters like @, #, or &.

After you enter the new name, PS5 will check whether it's available. If someone else has already claimed it, you'll see a message saying the name is taken and you'll need to try a different one. Once you find an available name you like, confirm the change. The system will process it, and your new username will be active when ready.

What happens to your games and friends after you change your name

Your friends list doesn't break. Everyone on your friends list will see your new username the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. You don't lose access to any games, your game saves, your trophies, or your progress — all of that stays attached to your account.

However, some games made before 2018 may display your old username in-game or in chat, even though your actual account name has changed. This is because older games stored your username locally rather than pulling it from your PSN account each time. You can still play these games normally, and other players will see your new name on your profile — it's just a display quirk in the game itself. Newer games almost always show your new username correctly.

If you want to change your name back to the original

You can revert to your original PSN username without paying the $9.99 fee. Go through the same steps — Profile Settings, Account, Online ID, Change Online ID — and enter your original username. The system will recognize it as your original name and let you reclaim it for free.

This is why many players change to a new name, try it out for a few weeks, and then switch back if they don't like it. You get one free experiment before the fee kicks in for any other changes.

What usernames you cannot use

PlayStation blocks usernames that contain profanity, hate speech, or references to illegal activity. The system also won't let you use names that impersonate PlayStation staff, celebrities, or other well-known accounts — though you can use a name similar to a celebrity's as long as it's clearly not pretending to be them.

Names that are too similar to your previous username may also be rejected. If you try to change from "Player123" to "Player124," the system might flag it as too close to your original name and ask you to pick something more distinct.

Changing your username on other PlayStation devices

If you own a PS4, you can change your username there too, and the change syncs to your PS5 automatically. The steps are nearly identical: go to Settings, Account, Account Information, Profile, Online ID, and Change Online ID. The same $9.99 fee applies across all your devices — you're not charged separately for PS4 and PS5.

You can also change your PSN username through the PlayStation website or the PlayStation mobile app if you prefer not to use the console. Log into your account on the website, go to Account Settings, then Profile, then Online ID. The process is the same, and the change takes effect on all your devices within a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username if I have an active PlayStation Plus subscription?

Yes. Your subscription stays active and attached to your account no matter what username you choose. The subscription follows your account, not your username.

Will my party chat or messages disappear if I change my name?

No. Your message history and party chat stay on your account. Friends will see your new username in the conversation, but the chat itself doesn't disappear or reset.

What if the username I want is taken?

Try adding numbers or underscores to make it unique. For example, if "ShadowHunter" is taken, you could try "ShadowHunter_" or "ShadowHunter42." You can keep trying different variations until you find one that's available.

Does changing my username affect my PlayStation Network account security?

No. Your password, two-factor authentication, and all security settings remain exactly the same. Changing your username is purely cosmetic and doesn't touch your account security.