How do I change my PSN name for free?

How to change your PSN online ID

Learn how to change your online ID on PlayStation™Network (PSN), and what to do if you experience issues with an online ID change.

What is an online ID?

An online ID is a unique display name used to identify you on PSN. You can check your current online ID by visiting your profile on your console or PlayStation®App. 

Before changing your online ID, there are some things to consider:

• If you experience technical issues, you can revert back to your original online ID for free. Reverting should resolve most issues caused by an online ID change.  

• It may take some time for games, applications and services to update to your new online ID. In some cases, it can take up to a week for the change to register.

• PS4 games may experience issues after an online ID change. A list of PS4 games tested with the online ID change feature can be found here*.   

• If your new online ID violates our Terms of Service, it will be changed to temp-xxxxx. You can change it to a new online ID using the steps below.

• PS3, PS Vita and PS/TV games and apps do not support the online ID change feature.

• Online IDs can't be changed for child accounts. 

*Some games that have no known issues identified on the list may still experience issues if you change your online ID.

Will it cost me to change my online ID?

You can change your online ID as many times as you want. The first time is free. A charge applies for additional changes. PlayStation®Plus members receive a 50% discount for changes to their online IDs but membership is not required to make changes.

How to change your PSN online ID 

Web browser: change online ID

1. Sign in to Account Management and select PSN Profile from the sidebar. 
2. Select Edit next to your current online ID. 
3. Enter a new online ID and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the change. 
4. After you complete the change process, you're signed out of all devices.

PS5™ console: change online ID

1. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Account > Profile > Online ID. 
2. Create your new online ID. 
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the change. 
4. After you complete the change process, you're signed out of all devices.

PS4™ console: change online ID

1. Go to Settings > Account Management > Account Information > Profile > Online ID. 
2. Create your new online ID. 
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the change. 
4. After you complete the change process, you're signed out of all devices.

How to display your previous online ID

When selecting your new online ID, you have the option to display your previous online ID on your profile for 30 days. You must select this option during the change process.

How to fix issues after changing your online ID

If you are having technical issues after an online ID change, reverting back to a previous online ID should resolve most issues (but it may not fix all issues), and it's free. To revert to your previous online ID, see the guide below.

If your online ID is changed without your permission, please attempt to recover your account by following the guide below.

What happens if I don't finish the change online ID process?

A temporary hold is placed on your new online ID after you select Confirm. Your new online ID is reserved for 24 hours. To claim your new online ID permanently, you'll need to complete the process within the 24-hour period.

• You can change your PlayStation Network name from your console or from the PSN website. 
• You can change your PSN name once for free, but Sony charges a small fee for subsequent changes.
• Not all games are fully compatible with new usernames, there's the risk of some data loss with certain PS4 games. 

If you're unhappy with the username you created for your PSN account, you're not alone — Sony heard pleas from users and has made it possible to change your username. 

While it was once permanent, your PSN name can now be changed as often as you like. Here's how to do it. 

What to know before changing your PlayStation Network name

If you've been frustrated that you chose your PSN username without enough thought, you might be thankful that it's possible to change your PSN username. There are some caveats, though. 

First and foremost, Sony allows you to change your username as many times as you like, though only the first change is free. There's a $10 charge for subsequent name changes, but PlayStation Plus subscribers get name changes for half-off — $5. 

You might also encounter some compatibility issues after making a name change. PS3, PS Vita, and PS/TV games don't support changed usernames at all, and some PS4 games might not be fully compatible with changed usernames, which can result in lost saved game data. Sony has identified over 300 PS4 games with no known issues, but there are about 50 games with known issues — including popular titles like Grand Theft Auto V, Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, Bloodborne, Uncharted 4,The Last of Us Remastered, and others. 

You might also wonder about your ID's discoverability after making a username change. While not a perfect solution, you have the option to display your previous username in your profile for 30 days. 

How to change your PlayStation Network name

You can change your username wherever it's most convenient to do so — from the PSN website or on your PS4 or PS5 console. 

On a web browser:

1. In a web browser, go to Sony's PSN sign-in page and log in with your current PSN account information. 

2. Select PSN Profile. 

3. To the right of your Online ID, click Edit. 

4. Enter a new username and follow the instructions to complete the change. You'll need to click I accept to acknowledge the risks involved in changing your PSN name. 

On a PS4 console:

1. On your PS4, select Settings.

2. Select Account Management, then Account Information.

3. Choose Profile. 

4. Finally, click Online ID.

5. Enter a new username and follow the instructions to complete the change. You'll need to click I accept to acknowledge the risks involved in changing your PSN name.

On a PS5 console:

1. On your PS5, select Settings.

2. Select Users and Accounts, then Account.

3. Choose Profile. 

4. Finally, click Online ID.

5. Enter a new username and follow the instructions to complete the change. You'll need to click I accept to acknowledge the risks involved in changing your PSN name.

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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