What you need before you start

You need three things to create a PlayStation Network account: an email address you can access right now, your date of birth, and a way to verify you own that email. The email address becomes your username for signing in, so pick one you'll remember. If you're setting up an account for someone under 18, you'll also need a parent or guardian's email address — PlayStation requires this for accounts under that age.

You don't need a credit card to create the account itself. You can add payment information later if you want to buy games or a PlayStation Plus subscription, but the account works without it.

Have your console or a computer or phone ready. You can create the account on any of these, though creating it on your PlayStation console is the most direct path if you're setting up a new system.

Key Takeaways

  • You create a PlayStation Network account using an email address and your date of birth, either on your console or at the PlayStation website.
  • PlayStation will send a verification email to confirm you own that email address — you must open it and click the link before your account is active.
  • If you're under 18, a parent or guardian must verify the account using their own email, and PlayStation will send them a separate confirmation.
  • You can sign into your account on any PlayStation console, but only one console can be your "primary" console for sharing games with household members.
  • Adding a payment method is optional and can be done anytime after account creation.

Creating an account on your PlayStation console

Turn on your PlayStation and go to the home screen. Select Users in the top left, then choose Create User. Select Create a User on This PS4 or Create a User on This PS5 depending on which console you have.

Choose Next when asked whether you want to use an existing PlayStation Network account. You'll see a screen asking for your email address. Type in the email you want to use — this is the one PlayStation will send the verification link to, so make sure it's correct. Select Next.

Enter your date of birth in the format shown on screen, then your country or region. Select Next. You'll be asked to create a password — it must be at least 8 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. Write this down somewhere safe. Select Next again.

Read through the terms of service and privacy policy if you want to, then select Agree. Your console will send a verification email to the address you entered. You'll see a message telling you to check your email.

Verifying your email address

Open the email inbox for the address you just used. Look for an email from PlayStation Network with the subject line "Verify your email address" or similar. If you don't see it within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email filters catch it by mistake.

Open the email and click the link that says Verify Email or Confirm Email Address. This link takes you to a PlayStation page that confirms you own that email. You don't need to enter anything else — just clicking the link is enough.

Go back to your console. The account creation screen will refresh automatically once PlayStation detects that you've verified the email. If it doesn't refresh after a minute or two, select Refresh or go back to the home screen and return to the user creation screen.

Setting up an account for someone under 18

If you're creating an account for a child or teenager, the process is the same up until you enter the date of birth. When you enter a birth date that makes the person under 18, PlayStation will ask for a parent or guardian's email address instead of finishing the account right away.

Enter the parent or guardian's email address. PlayStation will send them a verification email asking them to confirm they approve the account. The parent or guardian must open that email and click the link to verify — the account won't be active until they do.

Once the parent or guardian verifies, the account is complete and ready to use. The child can sign in on the console, but certain features like online multiplayer or purchasing games may have restrictions depending on the parental controls the parent sets up.

Creating an account on the PlayStation website

If you don't have a console yet or prefer to set up the account on a computer or phone, go to www.playstation.com and look for a Sign In or Create Account button, usually in the top right corner. Select Create an Account.

Fill in your email address, date of birth, country or region, and a password following the same rules as on the console — at least 8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, and numbers. You'll also be asked to enter your first and last name. Select Create Account when you're done.

PlayStation will send a verification email to the address you entered. Click the link in that email to verify your account. Once verified, you can sign into your account on any PlayStation console by selecting Users, choosing Use an Existing User, and entering your email and password.

What to do if verification email doesn't arrive

Wait at least five minutes before assuming the email is lost — sometimes it takes a few minutes to arrive. Check your spam, junk, or promotions folder, as email filters sometimes catch PlayStation emails by mistake. If you find it there, mark it as "not spam" so future emails from PlayStation go to your inbox.

If the email still hasn't arrived after 10 minutes, go back to your console or the PlayStation website and look for an option to Resend Verification Email. This sends a new copy of the verification link to your inbox. If you're still not receiving it, try checking whether you entered the email address correctly during account creation — a single typo will send the verification to the wrong place.

If you've tried resending and still can't find the email, contact PlayStation Support through their website. They can manually verify your account or help you figure out what went wrong.

Signing in on your console and setting a primary console

Once your account is verified, you can sign in on any PlayStation console. On your console, go to Users and select Use an Existing User. Enter your email address and password. The console will read your profile, and you'll see your account name appear on the home screen.

If you own more than one PlayStation console, you can sign into your account on all of them. However, you should set one console as your primary console. This is the console where other users in your household can play games you've bought, even if they're not signed into your account. To set a primary console, go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, then Other, and choose Set as Primary Console.

You can only have one primary console at a time. If you change which console is primary, the old one stops sharing your games with other users on that console.

Adding payment information later

Your account is fully functional without a payment method. You can play free games, use online features if you have PlayStation Plus, and read free content. When you want to buy a game or subscribe to PlayStation Plus, you'll be prompted to add a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account.

To add payment information before you need it, sign into your account on the PlayStation website, go to Account Settings, select Payment and Subscriptions, and choose Add Payment Method. You can save multiple payment methods and choose which one to use when you make a purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my email address after I create the account?

Yes. Sign into your account on the PlayStation website, go to Account Settings, select Personal Info, and choose Email Address. You'll need to verify the new email address the same way you verified the original one — PlayStation will send a confirmation link to the new address.

What if I forget my password?

Go to the PlayStation sign-in page on the website or console and select Forgot Your Password? Enter your email address, and PlayStation will send you a link to reset it. Click the link in the email and create a new password. You can then sign in with the new password on any console.

Can I use the same email for multiple PlayStation accounts?

No. Each PlayStation Network account must have its own unique email address. If you want multiple accounts in your household, you'll need a different email for each one — you can create free email addresses through Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo if you need extras.

Do I need PlayStation Plus to use my account?

No. Your account works without PlayStation Plus. You can play single-player games, use free-to-play games, and access most features. PlayStation Plus is optional and costs money — it's mainly for online multiplayer and monthly free games.

Can I delete my account after I create it?

Yes, but it's permanent. If you want to delete your account, sign into the PlayStation website, go to Account Settings, select Account, and choose Close Your Account. You'll lose access to all games you've bought and any saved data. PlayStation will ask you to confirm before deleting it.