You cannot change your PS3 username directly on the console

The PlayStation 3 does not have a built-in feature to change your username after you create it. Unlike newer PlayStation systems, the PS3 ties your username permanently to your account at the moment you set it up. If you want a different name, you will need to create a new PSN (PlayStation Network) account on your PS3 and start over with that account.

This is a hard limit of the PS3 system, not a setting you can unlock or a permission you need to request. Sony has never added a username-change feature to PS3, even in later system updates. If you have already created an account with a name you dislike, your only path forward is to make a fresh account.

Key Takeaways

  • PS3 usernames cannot be edited or changed once the account is created — you must create a new account to get a different name.
  • A new PSN account on your PS3 starts with zero trophies, friends, and game progress tied to your old account.
  • Games you own digitally on your old account will not transfer to the new account unless you move the license.
  • You can create multiple accounts on a single PS3 console, so both your old and new usernames can exist on the same system.
  • If you own games on disc, you can play them on any account on that PS3, but online multiplayer requires a PSN account with an active subscription.

What happens to your games and progress when you create a new account

When you start a new PSN account, that account begins with no game library, no trophies, and no friends list. Any games you purchased digitally through PlayStation Store are tied to the account that bought them. If you switch to a new account, you will not see those games in your library on the new account unless you transfer the license.

Game saves are also account-specific. A save file created under your old username will not appear in the new account's save list. You can still access the old save if you switch back to the old account, but the new account starts fresh. If you own physical game discs, any account on your PS3 can play them, but online features and multiplayer require an active PSN account with a PlayStation Plus subscription.

How to create a new PSN account on your PS3

Go to the PS3 home screen and scroll to the top menu. Select Settings, then Network Settings. Choose Create New Account. The system will ask you to agree to the terms of service, then prompt you to enter an email address and create a password.

Next, you will choose your new username. This is the name that will appear to other players online and on your profile. Type the name you want and the system will check whether it is already taken. If it is, you will be asked to try another. Once you confirm a username that is available, your account is created. You can then sign in with this new account and begin using it on your PS3.

Transferring digital games to your new account

If you bought games through PlayStation Store on your old account, you can make them available to your new account by changing the license settings. On your PS3, sign in to the old account that owns the games. Go to Settings, then Network Settings, then set up as Your Console. Select the old account and choose set up.

This marks your PS3 as the "activated console" for that account, which means any other account on that same PS3 can play the games purchased by the old account. The new account will not own the games outright, but it can launch and play them as long as the console remains activated for the old account. If you later sell or give away the PS3, you should deactivate the old account so the games cannot be played on another system.

Keeping both accounts on your PS3

You do not have to delete your old account to use the new one. Both usernames can exist on the same PS3 console. You can switch between them by signing out of one and signing in to the other from the home screen. This is useful if you want to keep your old account for access to its games and trophies while using the new account for online play with a different name.

To switch accounts, go to the PS3 home screen and look at the top left corner where the current username appears. Select it and choose Sign Out. Then select a different user profile or create a new one. You can have up to 16 user accounts on a single PS3, so storage is not a concern.

Why PS3 usernames are permanent

The PS3 was released in 2006, and PSN was designed at a time when username changes were not a standard feature across gaming platforms. By the time username-change requests became common, the PS3 was already aging and Sony chose not to add the feature. Newer PlayStation systems like the PS4 and PS5 do allow you to change your username, but that capability was never backported to PS3.

This permanence is one reason many players create a new account rather than live with a username they regret. While it means starting over with trophies and progress, it is the only way to get a different name on PS3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my PS3 username without creating a new account?

No. The PS3 does not have a username-change option anywhere in the settings menu. Creating a new account is the only way to get a different username on this system.

Will my friends see my new username if I create a new account?

Your old friends will not automatically see the new account. You will need to add them again from your new account's friends list, or ask them to add your new username. Your old account will still exist on the system with your old friends list intact.

Can I transfer my trophies to a new account?

No. Trophies are permanently tied to the account that earned them and cannot be moved or copied to another account. Your new account will start with zero trophies.

What if I bought a game on disc instead of digitally?

Disc games can be played by any account on your PS3. You do not need to own the game on the new account — just insert the disc and any user profile can launch it. Online multiplayer still requires an active PSN account with PlayStation Plus.

Can I delete my old account after I create a new one?

Yes, you can delete the old account from your PS3 settings. However, if you delete it, you will lose access to any games purchased on that account unless you have already activated the console for it. Delete only if you are certain you no longer need anything from the old account.