You can change your PlayStation username through your account settings on any device connected to the internet

PlayStation lets you change the username tied to your online account once every 30 days at no cost. The first change is free; after that, each additional change within 30 days costs $9.99. You do this through your account settings on a web browser or directly on your PlayStation console — both routes take about five minutes and don't require you to create a new account or lose your game progress, friends list, or purchase history.

Your username is different from your online ID (the name that appears in games and to other players). When you change your username, your online ID updates everywhere at once, though some older games may still show your previous name for a few hours while their servers sync.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your PlayStation username once every 30 days for free; additional changes in that window cost $9.99 each.
  • The change takes effect when ready on your account and updates across all your games and your friends list.
  • You can change your username on a web browser by signing into your PlayStation Network account or directly on your PS4 or PS5 console.
  • Some older games may display your previous username for a few hours after the change while their servers update.
  • Your game saves, trophies, and purchase history stay with your account and do not change when you update your username.

How to change your username on a web browser

Open a web browser and go to accounts.playstation.com. Sign in with the email address and password for your PlayStation Network account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Account from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, look for the section labeled Profile on the left side. Click Edit Profile. You will see a field labeled Online ID — this is your username. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new username (it must be between 3 and 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores). Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page. A confirmation message will appear telling you the change was successful.

How to change your username on your PlayStation console

On your PS4 or PS5, go to Settings from the home screen. Select Users and Accounts (PS5) or Users (PS4). Choose your user profile. Select Account and then Profile. Look for Online ID and select it.

Click Change. You will see a text field where you can enter your new username. Type it in (remember: 3 to 16 characters, letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores only). Select Next, then Update to confirm. The console will process the change and show you a confirmation screen. Your new username is now live.

What happens to your games, friends, and purchases after you change your username

Your game saves, trophies, and achievements stay attached to your account and do not disappear when you change your username. Your friends list remains the same — people who had you added will still see you as a friend, and they will see your new username the next time they check their friends list.

Any games you own or have purchased stay in your library under your account. Multiplayer games will recognize you as the same player, so your rank, level, and in-game progress are not affected. The only thing that changes is the name other players see when they encounter you in a game or on your profile.

Why some games still show your old username after the change

Older PlayStation games, particularly those released before 2018, may continue to display your previous username for several hours or even a day after you make the change. This happens because those games store your username on their own servers rather than pulling it directly from PlayStation Network each time.

When you change your username, PlayStation Network updates when ready, but the game's servers sync on their own schedule. You do not need to do anything — the game will eventually show your new username once its servers receive the update from PlayStation. If a game still shows your old name after 24 hours, restart the game or sign out and back in to force it to refresh.

Restrictions and things to know before you change

You cannot use a username that is already taken by another PlayStation Network account. If you try to save a name that someone else has, the system will tell you it is unavailable and ask you to choose a different one. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "Player123" and "player123" are treated as the same name.

PlayStation does not allow usernames that contain offensive language, impersonate real people or companies, or violate their terms of service. If you choose a name that breaks these rules, the system will reject it before you can save it. You also cannot change your username more than once every 30 days unless you pay the $9.99 fee for an additional change.

If you cannot change your username or the change is not working

If you see an error message when you try to change your username, first check that you are signed into the correct account and that your internet connection is stable. If you are using a web browser, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then sign back in and try again.

If the problem continues, make sure your account is in good standing — accounts with outstanding payment issues or those flagged for violations may be temporarily restricted from making changes. You can check your account status by going to accounts.playstation.com and looking for any alerts or notifications. If you still cannot change your username after trying these steps, contact PlayStation Support through their website at support.playstation.com and describe the error you are seeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my games or trophies if I change my username?

No. Your game library, save files, trophies, and achievements all stay with your account. Changing your username only changes the name that appears to other players — nothing about your account data or purchases changes.

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Yes, but you have to wait 30 days from your last change, or pay $9.99 to change it sooner. Once the 30-day window passes, you can change to any available username, including your previous one, for free.

Will my friends still see me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list does not change, and people who had you added will still see you as a friend. They will see your new username the next time they view their friends list or encounter you in a game.

What characters can I use in my new username?

Your username must be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Spaces and special characters like periods, commas, or symbols are not allowed.

Why does my old username still show in a game I am playing?

Older games store your username on their own servers and do not update in real time. Your new username will appear once that game's servers sync with PlayStation Network, which usually happens within a few hours. Restarting the game or signing out and back in can speed this up.