You can change your PSN username once every 30 days at no cost

PlayStation Network (PSN) lets you change your username through your account settings on the PS4 console itself or through the PlayStation website. The first change is free. After that, each additional change costs $9.99 USD (prices vary by region). You can change your username once every 30 days, and the new name takes effect when ready across all your games and friends list.

The process takes about five minutes. You do not need to create a new account or lose your game saves, trophies, or purchase history — all of that stays attached to your existing PSN account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first username change is free; subsequent changes cost $9.99 USD and can happen once every 30 days.
  • You can change your username directly on your PS4 console through Settings, or online at the PlayStation website.
  • Your game saves, trophies, friends list, and purchase history all stay with your account when you change your username.
  • Some older games may not recognize your new username and will show your old one instead, though this is rare.
  • You cannot change your username if you have a pending name change, a suspension on your account, or an outstanding balance.

How to change your username on the PS4 console

Start on your PS4 home screen. Press the PS button on your controller to open the function area, then go to Power and select Enter Rest Mode — or straightforward navigate to Settings from the main menu. Once in Settings, scroll down and select Account Management.

In Account Management, select Account Information, then Profile. You will see your current username displayed. Select it, and a text field will appear. Delete your old username and type your new one. PlayStation will check whether the name is available in real time as you type. Once you have entered a name that is not taken, select Change to confirm. The system will ask you to enter your password to verify the change. Type it in and select OK. Your new username is now active.

How to change your username on the PlayStation website

Go to www.playstation.com and sign in with your PSN account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Profile. Look for the Edit Profile button and click it. 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 into the field. The system will show you whether it is available. If it is, click Change Online ID and enter your password when prompted. The change takes effect when ready. This method is often faster if you are already on a computer or phone.

What usernames PlayStation will not allow

Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. It can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces. PlayStation rejects names that contain profanity, impersonation of real people or brands, or hateful language. The system also blocks names that are already taken by another account.

If you try to use a name that violates these rules, the system will tell you it is unavailable and suggest alternatives. You can keep trying different names until you find one that works.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim. You cannot revert to your old username unless it has not been claimed by another account — in that case, you can change your name back to it within 30 days. After 30 days, if someone else has taken it, it is gone permanently.

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

Games that may not recognize your new username

Most modern games update automatically when you change your PSN username. However, some older games — particularly those released before 2018 — may continue to display your old username within the game itself, even though your PSN profile shows the new one. This is a limitation of how those games were built and does not affect your ability to play or your account security.

Games that use your PSN username for leaderboards or online features will use your new name going forward. If you are concerned about a specific game, you can check its community forums or contact the game's support team to ask whether it supports username changes.

Reasons your username change might be blocked

PlayStation will not let you change your username if your account is currently suspended, if you have an outstanding balance on your account, or if you have already made a change within the last 30 days. The system will tell you which restriction is in place when you try to make the change.

If your account is suspended, you will need to wait until the suspension ends. If you have an outstanding balance, you will need to pay it through your account settings before you can change your username. If you have already changed your name recently, you straightforward have to wait until 30 days have passed since your last change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my games and trophies when I change my username?

No. Your game library, trophies, saves, and purchase history all stay attached to your account. Changing your username does not affect any of that. Your friends list updates automatically to show your new name.

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. You have 30 days to change back to your old username for free. After 30 days, if someone else has taken it, you cannot use it again. If you change back within 30 days, that change counts as your next paid change after the free one.

What if my new username is taken by the time I try to use it?

The system checks availability in real time as you type. If the name becomes unavailable while you are entering it, the system will tell you and you will need to choose a different one. You can try as many names as you want until you find one that is available.

Will my old username show up in my message history?

Yes. Messages you sent before the change will display your old username in the conversation history. Messages sent after the change will show your new username. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with your account.

How much does it cost to change my username after the first time?

Each change after your first free one costs $9.99 USD. Prices vary slightly by region and currency. You can make a new change once every 30 days if you are willing to pay the fee.