
The long-requested feature officially launches today.
We’re excited to announce that the online ID change feature on PSN is officially launching to all PlayStation 4 owners later today. You’ll also be able to change your online ID via a web browser, and that feature will also be available starting today. Thanks to all of you who participated in the beta preview program back in October/November and who gave us your feedback!
We do want to take this opportunity to clarify one point – as a result of the preview program, we’ve found an instance where a game did not fully support the feature, even though it was originally published after April 1, 2018, contrary to what we mentioned in our
. All PS4 games originally published on or after April 1, 2018 have been developed to support the online ID change feature. However, since they have not all been specifically tested with the feature, we cannot guarantee that they will support it. For more details and information, we encourage you to refer to the before making a change to your online ID. Do keep in mind that the large majority of most actively played PS4 games support the feature.We’re sure you have questions about this long-awaited feature and how it all works. This FAQ should have the answers you seek, but if not, just leave us a note in the comments below. We’ll do our best to update this document or respond in the comments section.
There’s also a section on our PlayStation support page that may help answer additional questions, which you can check out
.Now without further ado, on to the FAQ!
Q: Where and how can I change my online ID?
You can either change your online ID on your PS4 or web browser.
PlayStation 4:
- Step 1: From your PS4 go to [Settings].
- Step 2: Select [Account Management] > [Account Information] > [Profile] > [Online ID].
- Step 3: Enter an Online ID of your choice or choose from one of the suggestions.
- Step 4: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the change.
Web browser:
- Step 1: Sign in to your and select PSN Profile in the menu.
- Step 2: Select the Edit button that’s next to your Online ID.
- Step 3: Enter an Online ID of your choice or choose from one of the suggestions.
- Step 4: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the change.
Q. Can I change my online ID on my PS3 or PS Vita?
No. The change can only be made through a PS4 system or web browser.
Q: Do I have to pay to change my ID? How much will it cost?
The first change is free, and changes after that will cost $9.99 USD / CAD. For PlayStation Plus members, it will cost $4.99 USD/ CAD for each change after the first one.
Q: Will my friends be able to find me with my new online ID?
When changing your online ID, you’ll have the option to display your old ID next to your new ID in your Profile for 30 days. This will make it easier for your friends to notice your ID change. You can only select this option at the time you are changing your online ID.
Q: How many times can I change my ID?
In general, there are no restrictions to the number of times you can change your online ID.
Q: Can I revert back to my old ID?
You can as long as the old ID doesn’t violate the
. You can revert back to any of your previous IDs by contacting PlayStation Support.Q. Do I have to pay to revert back to an old ID?
No, reverting back is free.
Q: What happens to my old online ID? Can someone else take it?
No, your old online ID is only available to you.
Q: If I change my online ID multiple times, can I revert back to any of my past IDs?
Yes, you can revert back to any of your previous online IDs, as long as those IDs do not violate the
.Q: How many times can I revert back to an old ID?
In general, there are no restrictions to the number of times you can revert your online ID.
Q: Can any account change their online ID?
Child accounts cannot change their online ID.
Q: Do all games support online ID change?
A large majority of the most-played PS4 games that we tested support the feature. We recommend that you
before you make the actual change. PS3 and PS Vita games are not supported.Q. What do you mean by a game supports the online ID change if it was ‘originally published’ on or after April 1, 2018?
The game must have launched for the first time on or after April 1, 2018, to support the online ID change feature. For example, a game that first launched back in 2013 that has since been re-mastered or re-sold as a ‘complete edition’ in 2018 does not apply.
Q: Why is it that only games published after April 1, 2018 were developed to support online ID change?
Games published after this date were developed using tools that support online ID change at a system level.
Q: Will all PS4 games released in the future support the feature?
All PS4 games originally published on or after April 1, 2018 have been developed to support the online ID change feature, but we do not guarantee that all games will fully support the feature.
Q: I saw that there are a lot of potential issues and risks associated with changing my online ID. How do I know that I won’t run into these?
We recommend that you
before you make the actual change. A large majority of the most-played PS4 games that we tested support the feature, and we expect major issues to occur only in a small number of games.Q: What kind of issues could I potentially run into?
Below are some of the issues you may encounter. We expect major issues to occur only in a small number of games.
- Your previous Online ID may remain visible to you and other players in some areas.
- You may lose progress within games, including game saved data, leaderboard data, and progress towards Trophies.
- Parts of your game and applications may not function properly both online and offline.
- You may lose access to content (including paid-for content) that you may have acquired for your games including content like add-ons and virtual currency.
Q: What should I do if I encounter an issue by changing my online ID?
If you experience any issues while playing a game that is not on the
, we recommend that you revert back to your previous online ID that did not have those issues. Reverting back should resolve most issues.
Will you guys be freeing up online IDs currently tied to accounts that have not been used in over a decade?
Why? Is there one that you’re eyeing?
Sadly they won’t so in my opinion this sucks cause there is a online ID I want that has not been used since PS3 what’s the point in name changes if inactive accounts or new accounts get to keep there old IDs
@xjustgameguyx So the system “sucks” because it doesn’t give you access to an ID you wanted that someone else used? That’s a very selfish viewpoint IMO. I might say something like “The system is a welcome addition overall, but I’d like to see them free up the old IDs for use.”
That wouldn’t make sense. Those people should have the ability to come back to their accounts whenever even after 15 years of inactivity. However I hope the ones people change their names from become fair game after 30 days or something like that.
We should take the inactive name that have been inactive for a year
I have both damnscout and damnscout69. One was made when I was living in Canada, and when I couldn’t transfer and get my name on my US account, I added 69 at the end in a minor rebellion because Sony wouldn’t let me use my original name. Now I see name changes, but it seems like I can’t release my old name and recover it on my current account.
All I’d want is to have my damnscout name back on my current account. It’s sitting their gathering dust. This name change doesn’t solve the problem. Would love it if Sony would allow for this to happen in some capacity.
I agree with damnscout69. It would be nice to be able to give myself my original handle. At the very least, the team who worked on this should know that while you might have delivered part of the feature, you still haven’t delivered it to everyone asking for it.
I’d like to thank me on my Canadian account that is no longer used for agreeing with me on my US account I now use.
*sigh*
One day, maybe we’ll be able to change our handles so I can get mine back.
Make sense to do this Microsoft did. People who don’t use thier account for a decade they not coming back
When will this update take place ?
To the person saying if you’re inactive for a year, it should be fair game: I’ve been deployed longer than that before. That’s not fair at all.
Excited to get this damned “69” out of my name!
I tried to do what the step by step instructions were both PS4 and browser but it didn’t have the edit or change. Is it that some people have it before others?
My option for a online I’d change is not there so it is impossible to change it
Look at my name.and when is this gonna launch?
It apparently says that if u are not regularly active but they dint mention anything so far. When dos this update take place?
I dont even see the option to change my online id
Mine won’t give me the option to change kt. Not on the Website or my PS4
It’s 11:28 pm in South Africa, & still unable to change my online ID
I’m with you, @damnscout69. I moved from EU to US back in 2008, and like you, I couldn’t take my account with me or change it so I could use that name here. I’d love to give up that account only to get my name back, but sadly still can’t :(
Need help option to change user ID no popping up, do I need to update? Also wouldn’t let me drop a regular comment sorry for the disturbance
I do that have the option and I am in the United States pls fix
It dont work for my phone to changr my id is there a glitch orr??
No it wont
really would like to see that considering the handle i want is from an account that was made in like 2006 but i doubt they’ll end up doing that. i’m just glad i can change my name for once.
When will this update take place
It’s an April fool’s joke
What I being told the option won’t be available till October
Xbox Live didn’t use to free up old unused / archived gamertags but then at some point they did start making gamertags used by someone else originally that either changed off it or used it too long ago available for other people.
I think over time, the PSN solution related to essentially gamertag name changes will adopt similar policies.
I think ultimately it should go direction of Steam and Nintendo Network where it allows multiple people to use the same gamertag if they want.
Can you answer me if the fortnite and rainbow six games were affected by this online id change?
Does anyone know when this feature will be available for child accounts, because my account on my PS4 is registered as a child account but I’m not a child so I can’t use the feature right now.
Great question. My guess is that since changing your ID doesn’t remove your access to reverting back, old accounts most likely will go untouched.
They answered that question. Since people will be able to revert back, all usernames changes will be tied to the account for good.
Will I loose my gta 5 progress if I change my username
Will the PSN username change affects PS3 and Vita games like Freedom Wars, Killzone: Mercenaries, etc? I am getting worried of losing stuff like game data, DLCs, trophies, etc.
My problem is this. I wanna change my name to another name. And that name I want to change to is taken by an account that I made which can’t be logged into anymore because I forgot the credentials for that account. Any advice?, will I be able to take than name from that account and use it as my own? Because without a doubt it’s my account, but it’s not an option to do what I need to do yet.
Why is “chapstick” not allowed as an id?
Hey ps4 u better listen child accounts should be able to change their ids too !!!!
Please Get it for child Accounts