Change your PSN name through Account Settings on your console or the PlayStation website

You can change your PlayStation Network (PSN) name directly from your PS4, PS5, or through the PlayStation website. The process takes a few minutes and costs nothing the first time — Sony lets you change your name once for free, then charges $9.99 for each change after that. Your old name becomes available for other players to use once you change it.

The change takes effect when ready across all your games and your profile. Some older games may not display your new name correctly or may take time to sync the change, but your account itself updates right away. Friends will see your new name in their friends list, and your trophy history stays attached to your account under the new name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first PSN name change is free; changes after that cost $9.99 each through Sony's payment system.
  • You can change your name on a PS4 or PS5 console by going to Settings > Account Management > Account Information > Profile > Online ID, or through the PlayStation website without owning a console.
  • The name change takes effect when ready, though some older games may not update the display right away.
  • Your new name must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot match another active PSN account.
  • If a game stops working after you change your name, you may need to rebuild your console's database or contact the game's support team.

Change your name on a PS4 or PS5 console

Start at the home screen and select your profile icon in the top-left corner. Go to Settings, then Account Management, then Account Information. Select Profile, then Online ID. You will see your current name and a button to change it. Enter your new name, review it for spelling, and confirm the change.

If this is your first name change, you will not see a charge. If you have changed your name before, you will be asked to pay $9.99 through your payment method on file. The system will ask you to confirm the payment before the change goes through. Once confirmed, your new name is live on your account.

Change your name through the PlayStation website

Go to www.playstation.com and sign in with your PSN account. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Profile. Look for Edit Profile or a pencil icon next to your online ID. Click it and enter your new name in the field that appears.

The website will check whether the name is available and whether it meets PSN rules. If it passes, you will see a confirmation screen. For your first change, click confirm and you are done. For subsequent changes, you will be directed to pay $9.99 before the change completes. The new name appears on your profile and in your friends' lists within a few minutes.

Rules for your new PSN name

Your new name must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, or names that are already taken by another active account. PSN also blocks names that contain profanity or that impersonate real people or companies.

If you try a name and the system says it is unavailable or violates the rules, you will see a message explaining why. Try a different combination — adding a number or underscore often solves the problem. The system will not let you proceed until the name passes all checks.

What happens to your games and trophies after a name change

Your trophy list, game saves, and purchase history all stay with your account under your new name. Friends will see your new name in their friends list, and you can still join their parties and play together. Your game library does not change — you keep access to every game you own.

Some older games, especially those released before 2018, may not display your new name in-game or may show your old name for a while. This is a display issue only and does not affect your ability to play. If a game stops working or crashes after you change your name, try rebuilding your console's database: go to Settings > System Software > System Software Update > Update System Software, then restart your console. If the problem continues, contact the game's publisher for support.

Changing your name back or choosing a different name later

You can change your name as many times as you want after the first free change. Each change after the first costs $9.99 and goes through the same process — either on your console or the website. There is no waiting period between changes, so you can change your name again when ready if you want.

If you want to use a name you had before, you can change back to it, but you will still pay $9.99 unless it is your first change ever. Keep in mind that if you change your name and then change it again, your old name becomes available for other players to claim, so you cannot may provide you will get it back later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to change my PSN name the first time?

No. Sony gives you one free name change. After that, each change costs $9.99. You can use your free change whenever you want — there is no time limit.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends will see your new name in their friends list automatically. You stay in their list under your new name, and they can still message you and invite you to games.

What if the name I want is already taken?

Try a variation — add a number, underscore, or hyphen. The system will tell you if a name is unavailable and you can try again. You can keep trying different names until you find one that works.

Can I change my name on mobile or through the PlayStation app?

The PlayStation app does not have a name change feature. You must use a PS4, PS5, or the PlayStation website. The website works on any device with a browser, including phones and tablets.

What if a game stops working after I change my name?

Restart the game first. If it still does not work, rebuild your console's database through Settings > System Software > System Software Update. If the problem continues, contact the game's publisher — older games sometimes need a patch to work with new PSN names.