You can change your PlayStation username through your account settings on any PlayStation console or the PlayStation website

Your PlayStation Network (PSN) username change happens in one place: your account settings. You have three ways to do it — on a PS5, PS4, or through the PlayStation website on any computer. The process takes about five minutes. You can change your username once every 30 days, and your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days.

PlayStation lets you change your username for free the first time. If you change it again, the second change costs money (the exact amount varies by region). After that, each additional change also costs money. Your profile ID — a number assigned when you created your account — stays the same no matter how many times you change your username, so your friends can still find you.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username on a PS5, PS4, or at the PlayStation website, and the change takes effect when ready across all your devices.
  • Your first username change is free; any change after that costs money, which varies by your region.
  • You must wait 30 days between username changes, and your old username becomes available for others to use after 30 days.
  • Your profile ID never changes, so your friends can still find you even after you change your username.
  • Some games may not recognize your new username right away, though your progress and trophies stay linked to your account.

Changing your username on a PS5

On your PS5, go to your profile in the top-right corner of the home screen. Select your profile icon, then choose Profile from the menu. Scroll down and select Account, then Other, then Change Your Login ID. Enter your new username — it must be between 3 and 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. PlayStation will tell you when ready if the name is taken or breaks the naming rules.

After you enter your new username, you will see a confirmation screen showing what your new name will be. Select Change to finish. Your PS5 will sign you out and back in. The change takes effect right away on all your PlayStation devices.

Changing your username on a PS4

On your PS4, go to Settings from the home screen. Select Account, then Account Information, then Profile, then Change Your Login ID. Enter your new username using the same rules as the PS5 — 3 to 16 characters, letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores only. PlayStation checks the name in real time and tells you if it is already taken.

Review the confirmation screen, then select Change. Your PS4 will restart the sign-in process. Once you are signed back in, your new username is active everywhere.

Changing your username on the PlayStation website

Go to www.playstation.com and sign in with your account. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Profile. Look for Edit Profile or Account Settings (the exact wording changes by region). Find the section labeled Login ID or Username and select Change.

Enter your new username following the same character rules. PlayStation will check availability as you type. Click Save or Confirm to finish. You will be signed out and asked to sign back in. The change takes effect when ready on all your devices.

What happens to your old username and games after you change it

Your old username becomes available for someone else to use after 30 days. During those 30 days, no one else can claim it — it is reserved. If you change your mind within 30 days, you can change back to your old username for free (this counts as your one free change if you have not used it yet).

Your games, trophies, and progress stay linked to your account no matter what username you use. However, some older games may display your old username in their servers for a while, or may not recognize the new username right away. This usually fixes itself within a few hours or days. Your friends can still see your progress and play with you — your profile ID is what matters to them, not your username.

Usernames that PlayStation will not allow

PlayStation blocks usernames that contain profanity, hate speech, or references to real people's names without permission. It also rejects usernames that look like they are trying to impersonate PlayStation staff or other official accounts. Names that are too similar to existing usernames may also be rejected.

If you try a name and PlayStation says it is not allowed, try a different combination. You can add numbers or underscores to make a name unique. There is no limit to how many times you can try different names during the change process.

Fixing problems after you change your username

If a game does not recognize your new username, restart the game or restart your console. Most games sync with PlayStation's servers within a few hours. If a game still shows your old username after a day, check whether that game has its own separate account system — some games require you to update your profile within the game itself.

If you cannot change your username because you see an error message, make sure you have waited 30 days since your last change. If you have, restart your console and try again. If the problem continues, sign in on the PlayStation website instead — sometimes the website works when the console does not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Yes, within 30 days of changing it. Your old username is reserved for you during that time, and changing back to it counts as a free change if you have not used your one free change yet. After 30 days, your old username becomes available to anyone, and you would have to pay to claim it again.

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

Yes. Your profile ID stays the same, and that is what your friends list uses to find you. They will see your new username, but you will still appear in their friends list and they can still message and play with you.

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

Yes. Your first username change is free. The second change and any changes after that cost money. The price varies by region — check your local PlayStation Store to see the exact cost before you change.

What if my new username is taken while I am trying to change it?

PlayStation tells you when ready if a name is taken or not allowed. You can try a different name right away without any penalty. Keep trying different combinations until you find one that is available.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your new username takes effect when ready on your console and the PlayStation website. Games may take a few hours to update their servers, but your progress and trophies are linked to your account ID, not your username, so nothing is lost during the update.