You can change your PSN username once every 30 days, and it takes about 15 minutes

PlayStation Network (PSN) lets you change your username through your account settings on the console or through the PlayStation website. The change happens when ready across all your games and your profile. You get one free username change; after that, each change costs $9.99 USD (prices vary by region). You can change your username once per 30 days, so plan ahead if you want to try a few options.

The easiest route is through your PS4 console itself, since you stay logged in and don't need to remember your password. If you're away from your console, you can make the change on the PlayStation website, but you'll need your account email and password.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first username change is free; every change after that costs $9.99 USD in most regions.
  • You must wait 30 days between username changes, so you cannot change it back when ready if you regret the choice.
  • The change takes effect right away across your profile, your games, and your friends' friend lists.
  • Some games may not recognize the new name when ready, and you may need to restart them to see the update.
  • Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it.

Changing your username on the PS4 console

Start at the home screen and go to Settings in the top menu. Select Account Management, then Account Information, then Profile. You'll see your current username displayed. Select it to open the edit screen.

Type your new username into the text field. PlayStation usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens (no spaces or special characters). As you type, the system checks whether the name is available. If you see a green checkmark, the name is yours to claim. If you see a red X, someone else has already taken it. Keep typing options until you find one that's available.

Once you've chosen an available name, select Change to confirm. The system will ask you to review the change one more time. Select Yes to finalize it. Your new username is now live.

Changing your username on the PlayStation website

Go to www.playstation.com and sign in with your email address and password. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Profile. Look for the Edit Profile button.

Find the field labeled Online ID (this is your username). Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new username following the same rules: 3 to 16 characters, letters, numbers, and hyphens only. The website will show you whether the name is available as you type.

Once you've found an available name, click Save. If this is not your first username change, you'll be asked to confirm the $9.99 charge. The change takes effect when ready.

What happens to your old username

Your old username does not stay reserved for you. Once you change it, that name goes back into the pool and becomes available for anyone else to claim. This happens right away, so if you change your mind within minutes, someone else may have already taken your old name.

Your friends will see your new username in their friend lists and in any games you play together. Games you've already played will show your new name in the activity log and on leaderboards (though some older games may take a few hours to update). Messages you sent before the change will still show your old username, since those are part of your message history.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This applies whether you made a free change or paid for one. The 30 days starts the moment you confirm the change, not when you first started editing your profile.

If you realize you made a mistake, you have to wait the full 30 days before you can change it back. There is no way to speed this up or get an exception. Plan your username carefully, especially if you're using your free change.

When games don't recognize your new username right away

Most games update your username automatically within a few hours. Some older games or games that don't connect to PlayStation Network regularly may take longer. If you jump into a game and still see your old username, try restarting the game. Close it completely (not just putting the console to sleep), wait 30 seconds, and launch it again.

If a game still shows your old name after a restart, the game itself may not support username changes. This is rare, but it happens with some older titles. Your PSN profile and your friends' view of you will always show the correct new name, even if that one game doesn't catch up.

Troubleshooting a username change that won't go through

If you see an error message when you try to change your username, the most common reason is that the name you chose is already taken. Go back and pick a different one. The availability check happens in real time, so if someone claimed the name between when you checked and when you hit confirm, you'll get an error.

If you're trying to change your username and you get a message about your account or payment method, you may have a billing issue on file. Check that your payment method is current and that there are no failed charges pending. You can do this in Settings > Account Management > Payment Methods. If you're trying to make a paid change and your payment fails, the system will not let you proceed until you update your payment information.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Your subscription stays active and tied to your account no matter what username you use. Changing your username does not affect your subscription, your game library, your saved data, or anything else on your account.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list updates automatically, and your friends will see your new name in their friend lists right away. They can still message you and invite you to games using your new username.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Try a variation: add a number, use a hyphen, or shorten it. You can check availability when ready as you type. If the exact name you want is taken, you'll need to choose something different.

Do I have to pay for my first username change?

No. Every PSN account gets one free username change. After that, each change costs $9.99 USD (or the equivalent in your region). You can use your free change whenever you want, but once you use it, all future changes have a cost.

Can I change my username back to my old one after 30 days?

Only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. Since old usernames become available when ready after you change them, someone else may have taken yours. If they have, you cannot use that name again unless they change their username first.