Change your PS4 username through your account settings

You change your PS4 username by going into your account settings on the console itself, then selecting the option to change your online ID. The process takes about five minutes and doesn't require a computer — you do it all from your controller. Your new username takes effect when ready across all your games and your profile.

Before you start, know that PlayStation charges a fee for the first username change and every change after that. The fee varies by region. You'll also need to be signed into the account you want to change — you can't change someone else's username from your own account.

Key Takeaways

  • Navigate to Settings, then Account Management, then Account Information, then Profile, then Online ID to reach the change screen.
  • Your new username must be between three and sixteen characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot contain spaces or most special characters.
  • The first change costs money; subsequent changes also cost money, with the exact amount depending on your region.
  • Your new username appears when ready in your profile and in games, but some older games may still show your old name for a few hours.

Step-by-step: changing your username on PS4

Start by pressing the PS button on your controller to open the function menu. Scroll right to Settings and press X. From Settings, go to Account Management and press X again.

Select Account Information and press X. Now select Profile and press X. You'll see a list of options — find Online ID and press X. The system will show you your current username and a field where you can type a new one. Type your new username using the on-screen keyboard, then press X to confirm.

The system will tell you whether the name is available. If it is, you'll be asked to confirm the fee and complete the purchase. Once you confirm, your new username is active. If the name is taken, try a variation — adding a number at the end or changing a letter often works.

Rules for your new username

Your username must be between three and sixteen characters long. You can use letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, periods, hyphens, or most other special characters — the system will reject them and ask you to try again.

Usernames are not case-sensitive, meaning PSN treats "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" as the same name. You also cannot use a username that is already taken by another account, even if that account is inactive. If you see a name you want and it's taken, you'll need to choose something different.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to use. You cannot reclaim it later. If you think you might want to go back to your old name, write it down before you make the change.

In your games and your profile, your new username appears right away. However, some older games — particularly games released before 2018 — may continue to display your old username for several hours or even a day. This is a display lag in the game itself, not a problem with your account. Your actual account is using the new name when ready.

If your desired username is already taken

When you try to claim a username and the system says it's taken, you have a few options. The simplest is to add numbers to the end — "JohnSmith42" or "JohnSmith2024" — or to use an underscore in place of a space you were planning to use anyway. Many people also swap similar-looking letters, like using a zero instead of the letter O.

You can also try a completely different name and come back to your first choice later. If you're set on a specific name, you could check back in a few weeks — inactive accounts sometimes get cleaned up, though this is rare and not may provide.

Troubleshooting: common problems when changing your username

If the system won't let you proceed to the payment screen, make sure you're signed into the correct account. You must be the account owner to change the username. If you're a child account or a guest account, you won't have permission — the account owner will need to make the change.

If your payment is declined, check that your payment method on file is current and has available funds. PlayStation charges the same way it charges for games — using your stored card or wallet balance. If you've recently moved or changed your address, update it in your account settings before trying again.

If you see an error message saying the name contains invalid characters, you've used a space, period, hyphen, or other character that PlayStation doesn't allow. Delete those characters and try again with only letters, numbers, and underscores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username for free?

No. PlayStation charges a fee for every username change, including your first one. The amount varies by region — check your local PlayStation Store to see the exact price before you confirm the change.

Will my friends still see me in their friends list after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends list doesn't break when you change your username. Everyone on your friends list will see your new name when ready, and you'll still see them on yours. Your message history with them stays intact.

What if I change my mind right after changing my username?

You can change it back, but you'll have to pay the fee again. There's no undo button or grace period — each change costs money. If you're not sure about a new name, test it out for a few days before deciding whether to pay to change it again.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your password and your username are separate. Changing your username does not affect your password or your account security. You only need to change your password if you suspect someone else knows it.

Will my old username ever become available again?

Possibly, but not reliably. When you change your username, your old one goes back into the pool of available names. Someone else can claim it when ready. PlayStation does not reserve old usernames for their original owners.