You can change your PlayStation Network ID once every 60 days, and the first change is free

Sony allows you to change your PlayStation Network ID (the username you use to sign in and play online) through your account settings on any PlayStation console or through the PlayStation website. The first change costs nothing. After that, each change costs $9.99 USD, though the price may vary by region. You can change your ID once every 60 days — if you change it and want to change it again, you must wait two months before the system will let you make another change.

The process takes a few minutes and does not delete your account, your games, or your progress. However, some older games may not recognize your new ID properly, and you may lose access to certain game-specific features or progress in those titles. Before you change your ID, it helps to know which games might be affected and what to expect afterward.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first PlayStation Network ID change is free; changes after that cost $9.99 USD and can be made once every 60 days.
  • You can change your ID through your PS5 or PS4 console settings, or through the PlayStation website from any device.
  • Games released before April 2018 may not work properly with your new ID, and you may lose progress or features in those titles.
  • Your new ID takes effect when ready across all your devices and online services, but some friends may not see the change right away.

How to change your ID on a PlayStation console

On a PS5 or PS4, go to Settings, then select Users and Accounts. Choose Account, then Profile, and select Online ID. Enter your new ID and confirm it meets PlayStation's requirements (it must be between 3 and 16 characters, use only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot start with a number). Sony will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or violates their code of conduct.

If you are changing your ID for the first time, you will see a message confirming the change is free. If you have changed your ID before, the system will ask you to pay $9.99 before proceeding. After you confirm and pay (if required), your new ID becomes active right away.

How to change your ID on the PlayStation website

You can also change your ID through the PlayStation website without using a console. Go to www.playstation.com, sign in to your account, and navigate to Account Settings. Select Profile, then Online ID, and follow the same steps as on a console. The website method is useful if you do not have your console nearby or want to manage your account from a computer or phone.

Whether you change your ID on a console or the website, the new name takes effect when ready across all your PlayStation devices, your profile, and your online presence. Friends will see your new ID the next time they refresh their friends list, though the change may take a few minutes to show up everywhere.

Games that may not work with your new ID

PlayStation games released before April 2018 were built to work with your original online ID and may not recognize your new one. This does not mean the games will stop working entirely, but you may lose access to online features, multiplayer progress, or game-specific achievements tied to your old ID. Games released after April 2018 are designed to handle ID changes and should work without problems.

Before you change your ID, check whether the games you play most often were released before or after April 2018. If you play older titles regularly, you may want to keep your current ID or be prepared to lose some progress in those games. Sony publishes a list of games with known compatibility issues on their support website, though the list is not exhaustive — some older games may have problems that are not documented.

What happens to your account, games, and progress

Changing your PlayStation Network ID does not delete your account, your game library, your trophies, or your saved game files. All of those remain tied to your account and will be there after you change your ID. Your new ID is straightforward a new username for the same account — it is not a new account.

However, any in-game progress or features that are tied specifically to your old ID (rather than your account) may be lost. This is most common in older games. For example, if a game stored your leaderboard ranking or clan membership under your old ID, that information may not transfer to your new ID. Newer games handle this better because they store progress by account rather than by ID.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your PlayStation Network ID, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This waiting period is a hard limit — there is no way to shorten it or request an exception. If you change your ID and when ready realize you made a mistake, you will have to wait two months before you can change it back.

Because of this, it is worth taking a moment to choose a name you are comfortable with before you confirm the change. Check that the spelling is correct and that you will not regret it in a few weeks. Once you confirm, the change is final and locked in for at least 60 days.

Reasons Sony might reject your new ID

PlayStation will reject an ID if it is already taken by another user, if it contains profanity or hateful language, if it impersonates a public figure or brand, or if it violates their code of conduct in any other way. The system checks these rules automatically when you enter your new ID and tells you right away if there is a problem.

If your ID is rejected, you will need to choose a different name and try again. There is no appeal process — if Sony's system flags your ID as inappropriate, you cannot use it. Try a different variation or a completely different name. You can attempt as many times as you want during the change process without being charged, as long as you have not yet confirmed a successful change.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Your friends list stays the same, and they will see your new ID in their friends list after they refresh it. However, if someone searches for your old ID, they will not find you — your old ID no longer exists. Make sure to tell friends you play with regularly about your new ID so they know it is you.

Can I change my ID back to my original one?

You can change your ID to anything you want, including a name similar to your original one, but you cannot reclaim your exact original ID if someone else has taken it. If your original ID is still available, you can use it again after waiting 60 days from your most recent change.

Do I lose my PlayStation Plus membership or subscription games when I change my ID?

No. Your PlayStation Plus membership, Game Pass subscription, and any games you own remain tied to your account. Changing your ID does not affect your subscriptions or your game library — only your username changes.

What if a game I play says my ID is not recognized?

This usually happens with games released before April 2018. Try signing out and signing back in, or restart the game. If the problem continues, the game may not support ID changes, and you may need to contact the game's developer for help. Sony's support team can also advise you on specific games.

Can I change my ID on my phone or tablet?

You can change your ID through the PlayStation website on a phone or tablet, but you cannot change it through the PlayStation mobile app. Use a web browser to visit playstation.com, sign in, and follow the steps in your account settings.