The fastest way to change your PS5 username

You can change your PS5 username directly from your console in about two minutes. Go to your profile on the home screen, select Profile, then Edit Profile, and choose Online ID. Type your new username, confirm it, and you're done. The change takes effect when ready across all your games and your PlayStation Network account.

Your first username change is free. If you want to change it again, PlayStation charges $9.99 each time after that. You can also change your username through the PlayStation website or mobile app if you prefer not to use the console.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first PS5 username change costs nothing; subsequent changes cost $9.99 each through PlayStation.
  • You can change your username from the console, the PlayStation website, or the PlayStation mobile app.
  • The new username appears when ready in your profile, your friends list, and your game activity.
  • Some older games may still display your previous username for a few hours after the change.
  • You cannot use a username that is already taken, contains profanity, or violates PlayStation's naming rules.

Changing your username on the PS5 console

Start at the PS5 home screen and highlight your profile icon in the top-left corner. Press the X button to open your profile card, then select Profile from the menu. Choose Edit Profile and scroll down to Online ID.

When you select Online ID, the console shows you your current username and a text field for the new one. Type your desired username — it can be 3 to 16 characters long and include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. PlayStation will tell you when ready if the name is taken or violates their naming policy. Once you confirm the change, it applies to your account right away.

Changing your username on the PlayStation website or app

If you want to avoid the console, sign into your PlayStation Network account at www.playstation.com or open the PlayStation mobile app. Go to your account settings and find the Profile or Account Information section. Look for Online ID or Username and select the option to change it.

The process is the same as on the console: type your new username, check that it's available, and confirm. The change syncs to your PS5 and any other PlayStation devices within a few minutes. You'll see the same $9.99 charge for a second change if you've already used your free one.

What happens to your old username and game progress

Your game progress, trophies, and saved files stay with your account — they don't disappear when you change your username. Friends who had you added will still see you on their friends list, though your name will update to the new one. Messages you sent before the change will show your old username, but new messages will show the new one.

Some older games, particularly those released before 2018, may continue to display your previous username in-game for a few hours or even a day after the change. This is a display lag in those games, not a problem with your account. Newer games and online services like PlayStation Plus update when ready.

Rules for choosing a new PS5 username

Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, or consecutive hyphens or underscores.

PlayStation rejects usernames that contain profanity, impersonate real people, reference hate groups, or violate their code of conduct. If you try a name and it's rejected, the console or website will tell you why. You can try again with a different name when ready — there's no waiting period between attempts.

Undoing a username change or getting your old name back

Once you change your username, you cannot undo it through a straightforward "revert" option. If you change your mind within a few minutes, you can change it again, but you'll pay the $9.99 fee for the second change (since your first free change is already used).

If someone else has taken your old username and you want it back, you would need to change to something else now and then wait to see if that person stops using it. There's no way to reserve or reclaim a username you no longer own. Plan your username carefully before confirming the change.

Troubleshooting username change problems

If the console says your username is taken but you're sure it's not, try waiting a few minutes — the PlayStation database sometimes needs time to update. If the name still appears taken, it genuinely is in use by someone else, even if you don't recognize them.

If you see an error message during the change, make sure you're signed into your account with the correct password and that your internet connection is stable. If the error persists, restart your PS5 and try again. If you're still stuck, you can change your username through the PlayStation website instead — sometimes one method works when the other doesn't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to change my username the first time?

No. PlayStation gives you one free username change. Every change after that costs $9.99. You don't have to use your free change right away — you can save it for later if you want.

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

Yes. Your friends list doesn't break when you change your username. Everyone who had you added will still see you, and your new username will appear on their list when ready. They don't have to do anything on their end.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Only if no one else has claimed that old username in the meantime. If someone has taken it, you cannot use it again unless they stop using it first. There's no way to reserve or hold a username you used to own.

What if a game still shows my old username after I changed it?

Older games sometimes take a few hours to display your new username. Restart the game or your PS5 to speed this up. If it still shows the old name after a day, that game may not support username changes properly, but your actual account is correct.

Can I change my username on my phone instead of the console?

Yes. Open the PlayStation app, sign in, go to your account settings, and find your Online ID. The process is the same as on the console, and the change syncs to your PS5 within minutes.