You can change your PlayStation Network name through your console or the PlayStation website, but the process and rules differ depending on which method you use and whether you have changed your name before.

Your PlayStation Network (PSN) name is the username other players see when you play online. Sony allows you to change it, but there are limits: your first change is free, and each change after that costs money. The steps vary slightly depending on whether you use a PS5, PS4, or the web browser, and some name changes take effect immediately while others require you to sign out and back in.

This guide walks you through the actual steps on each device, explains what happens to your old name, and covers what to know before you change it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first PSN name change is free; subsequent changes cost a fee that varies by region but is typically $9.99 USD or equivalent.
  • You can change your name on a PS5 or PS4 console, through the PlayStation website, or using the PlayStation mobile app.
  • Your old PSN name becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, and some games may show your old name in saved data or chat history.
  • The name change takes effect immediately on your account, but you may need to sign out and sign back in for the new name to appear everywhere in your games.
  • You cannot change your name more than once every 60 days after your first free change.

How to change your name on a PS5

On a PS5, go to your profile by pressing the PS button on your controller and selecting your profile icon. Select Profile, then scroll down and choose Edit Profile. Find the option labeled Online ID and select it. Type your new name, which must be between 3 and 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. PlayStation will check whether the name is available in real time as you type.

After you enter your new name, select Change to confirm. If this is your first change, it will process immediately at no cost. If you have changed your name before, you will be prompted to pay the fee before the change goes through. Once the change is complete, your new name appears on your profile right away, though some games may take a few minutes to update.

How to change your name on a PS4

On a PS4, go to Settings from the home screen, then select Account. Choose Account Information, then Profile. Select Edit Profile and find the field labeled Online ID. Enter your new name using the same character rules as PS5: 3 to 16 characters, letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores only.

Select Confirm when you are done typing. If this is your first change, you will not be charged. If you have changed your name before, the system will ask you to pay before completing the change. The new name takes effect immediately, though you may want to restart your console or sign out and back in to make sure all your games show the updated name.

Changing your name through the PlayStation website or app

You can also change your PSN name without using your console. On the PlayStation website, sign in to your account, go to Account Settings, and select Profile. Click Edit next to your Online ID. Type your new name and click Save Changes. The same process works in the PlayStation mobile app: open the app, tap your profile icon, select Edit Profile, and change your Online ID.

The web and app methods work the same way as the console: your first change is free, and you will be charged for any change after that. The new name takes effect immediately on your account, though it may take a few minutes to show up in all your games and in other players' friend lists.

What happens to your old name and saved data

When you change your PSN name, your old name becomes available for another player to claim immediately. Your account history, trophies, and game progress stay with your account and do not change. However, some games store your old name in saved data, chat logs, or leaderboards, and those records will not update automatically. In older games especially, you may see your old name appear in places like message history or in-game chat.

Your friends list and party invitations transfer to your new name without any action on your part. Players on your friends list will see your new name the next time they log in, and you will still be able to join their parties and play together. If someone tries to add you using your old name, the request will fail because that name no longer belongs to you.

Restrictions and fees for changing your name

Sony charges a fee for each name change after your first one. The cost varies by region: in the United States it is typically $9.99 USD, but other countries may have different prices. You cannot change your name more than once every 60 days after you use your free change. If you try to change your name again within 60 days of your last change, the system will tell you when you are may be able to access to change it again.

Your new name must follow PlayStation's naming rules: it cannot contain profanity, slurs, or hateful language, and it cannot impersonate a real person or company. If your chosen name violates these rules, PlayStation will reject it and ask you to pick a different one. Names are checked automatically, so you will know right away if your choice is not allowed.

Troubleshooting: Your name change is not showing up

If you changed your name but it still shows your old name in games or in other players' profiles, try signing out of your PSN account and signing back in. This forces your console to refresh your profile information and usually fixes the problem within a few minutes. If you are still seeing your old name after signing back in, restart your console completely by holding the power button until it shuts down, then turn it back on.

Some games, especially older titles, may continue to show your old name in saved data or leaderboards even after you have changed it. This is because those games stored your name locally when you played them, and they do not check for name changes every time you load the game. There is no way to force these games to update, but your new name will appear correctly in new games you play and in online services like the PlayStation Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my PSN name back to my old one?

Yes, but you will have to pay the standard fee to do it, since your free change only applies to your first name change ever. Your old name becomes available for anyone to claim after you change away from it, so if someone else has taken it, you will not be able to use it again.

Will my games and trophies disappear if I change my name?

No. Your account, game progress, trophies, and saved data all stay with your account. Only your display name changes. Other players may see your old name in old chat messages or leaderboards from before you changed it, but your actual game progress is not affected.

What if the name I want is already taken?

PlayStation will tell you immediately when you try to enter it. If the name is taken, you will need to choose a different one. You can add numbers, hyphens, or underscores to make a variation of the name you want, or pick something completely different.

Do I have to change my name on all my consoles?

No. Your PSN account is the same across all PlayStation consoles and devices. When you change your name on one console or through the website, it changes for your entire account everywhere. You do not need to make the change separately on each device.

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

Your new name takes effect on your account immediately, but it may take a few minutes to appear in all games and in other players' friend lists. Signing out and back in on your console speeds this up. Some older games may continue showing your old name in saved data or chat history permanently.