You can change your PS5 username through your account settings, but the process depends on whether you are changing it for the first time or making a second change

Your PS5 username is tied to your Sony Network account, not to the console itself. This means the change affects your account across all PlayStation devices and services. Sony allows you to change your username once for free, then charges a fee for each change after that — currently $9.99 USD, though this varies by region and may change.

The actual steps take about five minutes if you already know what username you want. You will need to be signed into your account on the PS5, have access to the email address linked to your Sony account, and know your account password. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it through Sony's website before you can proceed.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first username change is free; any change after that costs $9.99 USD in most regions.
  • You change your username through Account Settings on the PS5, not through a web browser or mobile app.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready, but it may take a few minutes to update across all PlayStation services.
  • You cannot use a username that is already taken, contains certain words Sony flags, or is shorter than three characters.
  • If you change your username, your friends list stays the same, but your profile name visible to other players updates right away.

Steps to change your username on PS5

Start on the PS5 home screen. Press the PS button on your controller to open the control center, then navigate to your profile icon in the top left corner. Select Profile, then choose Account.

From the Account menu, scroll down and select Other, then Username. The system will show you your current username and a field to enter a new one. Type the username you want — it must be at least three characters long and cannot contain spaces or most special characters. Usernames can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.

After you enter your new username, select Next. The system will check whether that username is available. If it is taken or violates Sony's content policy, you will see an error message and need to try a different name. If it is available, you will be asked to confirm your password to proceed. Enter your Sony account password and select Next.

The system will show you a summary of the change and ask you to confirm. Select Change to finalize it. Your new username takes effect when ready on your PS5. It may take a few minutes to update on the PlayStation Network website and in other players' friend lists, but the change is permanent once you confirm it.

What happens to your profile and friends when you change your username

Your friends list does not change. Everyone who had you added before the username change will still see you in their friends list, but your name will now display as your new username. You will still see them in your friends list as well. Messages and party invitations from before the change will still be there, but they will show your new username retroactively.

Your trophy list, game progress, and all other account data stay exactly the same. The username change only affects how your name appears to other players — it does not reset your account or move your data anywhere. Your profile level, earned trophies, and game libraries all remain attached to your account.

If you have a custom profile picture or bio, those stay in place too. Some games may take a few hours to display your new username in leaderboards or game-specific friend lists, depending on how often each game syncs with the PlayStation Network.

Understanding the cost of changing your username again

Sony gives you one free username change per account. If you use that free change and later want to change your username again, the cost is $9.99 USD in the United States. Other regions have different prices — for example, it costs £6.99 GBP in the United Kingdom and €7.99 EUR in Europe. These prices can change, and Sony sometimes runs promotions where the fee is reduced or waived.

You pay for the second change through the same Account menu where you changed your username the first time. When you try to change your username after using your free change, the system will show you the fee before you confirm. You can pay with any payment method linked to your Sony account — credit card, debit card, or PlayStation Store wallet balance.

There is no limit to how many times you can change your username after the first free change, as long as you are willing to pay the fee each time. Some players change their username multiple times per year; others keep the same one indefinitely. The choice is yours, but each paid change costs the same amount.

Usernames that Sony will not allow

Sony blocks usernames that are too short (fewer than three characters), contain spaces, or use characters outside the standard set of letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. The system will reject these when ready and ask you to try again.

Sony also blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. The exact words and phrases that trigger a rejection are not published, but common profanities and hate speech will be caught. If your username is rejected for content, try removing any words that might be flagged and resubmit.

Usernames that impersonate Sony employees, PlayStation support staff, or well-known public figures may also be rejected, though this is less common. If you are trying to use a username that seems reasonable but keeps getting rejected, the most likely reason is that it contains a word or phrase Sony's filter has flagged.

What to do if your desired username is already taken

If the username you want is already in use by another player, the system will tell you it is unavailable. You have two options: choose a different username, or try a variation of the one you wanted. Many players add numbers, underscores, or hyphens to make a username unique — for example, if "ShadowHunter" is taken, you might try "ShadowHunter_1" or "ShadowHunter-99".

There is no way to see who owns a particular username or to request that Sony release an inactive username back into circulation. Usernames are not recycled even if an account has been inactive for years. If the username you want is taken, your only path forward is to choose something else.

Troubleshooting common problems when changing your username

If you see an error message saying you cannot change your username, the most common reason is that you have already used your free change and have not paid the fee for a second change. Check your account to see whether you have already made a change. If you have, you will need to pay $9.99 USD (or the equivalent in your region) to make another one.

If the system says your password is incorrect when you try to confirm the change, make sure you are typing it exactly as you set it up — passwords are case-sensitive. If you have forgotten your password, go to the Sony account website on a computer or phone, select "Forgot your password?", and follow the steps to reset it. You will need access to the email address linked to your account. Once you have reset your password, return to the PS5 and try the username change again.

If your new username is not showing up in games or on the PlayStation Network website after several hours, try signing out of your PS5 account and signing back in. This forces the console to sync with Sony's servers. If the username still does not appear after a full day, contact PlayStation Support through the official Sony website — this is rare, but a sync error can occasionally delay the update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If you change your username and later want to go back to your original name, you can do so — it counts as a paid change if you have already used your free one. If someone else has taken your old username, you cannot reclaim it.

Will changing my username affect my PlayStation Plus membership or game licenses?

No. Your PlayStation Plus subscription, game licenses, and all purchased content stay attached to your account. The username change only affects how your name appears to other players — it does not touch your subscriptions or digital purchases.

Can I change my username from the PlayStation app on my phone?

No. You must change your username directly on the PS5 console through the Account Settings menu. The PlayStation mobile app does not have a username change option. You can view your current username in the app, but to change it, you need to use the PS5.

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

It takes effect when ready on your PS5 and in your account settings. It usually appears on the PlayStation Network website and in other players' friend lists within a few minutes, but some games may take several hours to update their leaderboards and in-game displays.

What if I want to change my username but do not remember my password?

Go to the Sony account website on a computer or phone and select "Forgot your password?" You will receive an email with a link to reset it. Once you have set a new password, sign back into your PS5 and proceed with the username change through Account Settings.