Change your PlayStation Network password from your console or online account

You can change your PlayStation Network (PSN) password in two ways: directly from your PS4 or PS5 console, or through your Sony account on a web browser. The console method is faster if you are already signed in. The web method works if you have forgotten your password or do not have access to your console right now. Both routes take about five minutes and do not require you to sign out of your games or lose your save data.

Your PSN password is separate from your WiFi password. Changing one does not affect the other. However, if someone has access to your PSN account, they can see your purchase history, change your payment method, or contact your friends — so it is worth changing if you suspect unauthorized access or if you have used the same password on multiple websites.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your PSN password on your console by going to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Change Password, or online at account.sony.com by signing in and selecting Security.
  • After you change your password, you will be signed out of your console and will need to sign back in with the new password.
  • If you have forgotten your current password, use the web method and select "Forgot your password?" on the Sony sign-in page to reset it by email or security questions.
  • Changing your PSN password does not affect your WiFi password, your game saves, or your friends list — only the password you use to sign into PlayStation Network.

Change your password on your PS4 or PS5 console

Start from the home screen and press the PS button on your controller to open the function menu. Scroll to Settings and select it. Navigate to Users and Accounts, then select Other, and choose Change Password. You will be asked to enter your current password first, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches.

Your new password must be at least 8 characters long and include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character (such as !, @, #, or $). After you confirm the change, you will be signed out of your console. Sign back in with your new password to resume playing. Your games and save data remain on your console — nothing is deleted.

Change your password through your Sony account online

Open a web browser and go to account.sony.com. Sign in with your email address and current password. Once you are logged in, look for the Security section — this is usually in the left menu or under Account Settings. Select Change Password or Update Password (the exact wording varies by region).

Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. The same rules explore: at least 8 characters, with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a special character. Click Save or Confirm. You will receive an email confirming the change. After this, you will need to sign into your console again with the new password.

What to do if you have forgotten your password

Go to account.sony.com and select "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in page. Sony will ask you to enter your email address. You will then be offered two options: reset by email or reset by security questions. If you choose email, Sony will send you a link to create a new password. Check your inbox and any spam folder. The link usually expires after a few hours.

If you do not have access to your email account, select the security questions option. You will be asked to answer the questions you set up when you created your account. If you cannot remember those answers either, you can contact Sony Support through their website — they may ask for proof of account ownership, such as a receipt from a PlayStation Store purchase or the email address associated with your account.

Why you might want to change your password regularly

Your PSN account is linked to your payment method if you have ever bought games or subscriptions. If someone gains access to your account, they can make purchases, change your email address, or lock you out. Changing your password every few months, or when ready after you use the same password on another website that gets breached, reduces this risk.

You should also change your password if you have shared your console with someone who no longer lives with you, or if you have used a public WiFi network to sign into your account. Changing your password does not undo purchases someone else made, but it does prevent them from making new ones.

Difference between your PSN password and your console password

Your PSN password is what you use to sign into PlayStation Network — the online service that lets you play multiplayer games, access the PlayStation Store, and message friends. Your console password (if you set one) is a separate PIN or password that locks your PS4 or PS5 itself, preventing anyone from using the console without entering it first.

Changing your PSN password does not change your console password, and vice versa. If you want to lock your console so that only you can use it, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play, or set up a parental control PIN. These are different security layers and serve different purposes.

What happens after you change your password

You will be signed out of your console when ready. Any games you were playing will pause or close. Your save data is stored on Sony's servers and on your console, so you will not lose progress. When you sign back in with your new password, everything will be where you left it.

If you are signed into your PSN account on multiple devices — such as a second console, a PlayStation Vita, or the PlayStation app on your phone — you will be signed out of those devices too. You will need to sign back in on each one with your new password. This is intentional: it ensures that if someone else was using your account on another device, they no longer have access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my WiFi password if I change my PSN password?

No. Your PSN password and WiFi password are completely separate. Changing one does not affect the other. Your WiFi password controls who can connect to your internet network. Your PSN password controls who can sign into your PlayStation Network account.

Will changing my PSN password delete my games or save data?

No. Your games and save data are tied to your account, not your password. Changing your password does not touch them. When you sign back in with your new password, all your games, saves, and purchases will still be there.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one?

Go to account.sony.com and select "Forgot your password?" You can reset it by email or by answering your security questions. You will be able to create a new password without needing to remember the old one.

Can I change my PSN password from my phone?

Yes. Open a web browser on your phone and go to account.sony.com. Sign in and navigate to Security to change your password. You can also use the PlayStation app if it is installed on your phone, though the web method is more straightforward.

If I change my password, will my friends know?

No. Your friends will not be notified that you changed your password. Your friends list, messages, and gaming activity remain the same. Only you and Sony know that the password changed.