Online ID Change on PSN: Your Questions Answered

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Online ID Change on PSN: Your Questions Answered

The long-requested feature officially launches today.

Sid Shuman (he/him) Senior Director, Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications
2 Author Replies

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.

playstation network

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523 Comments

2 Author Replies

  • iMolinaz
    April 10, 2019 at 4:10 pm PDT

    CADE?

  • SirJeef
    April 10, 2019 at 4:18 pm PDT

    Just tried logging in via the web browser and I’m not seeing the option to edit my ID. I have the option to edit everything else, just not my ID. It’s currently 6 P.M. Central Standard Time…did this not take effect yet? Or am I missing something?

  • DrTran64
    April 10, 2019 at 4:23 pm PDT

    ok, so lemme see if i have this straight.. The justification given for killing Warhawk servers (which were host to a still VERY active community), was that they didn’t support this new name change feature….now Warhawk is dead, and you guys are telling us that PS3 isn’t included in this thing, at all…..so if PS3 wasn’t going to be affected, then what in the hell was the point of killing the Warhawk community? Are you guys for real?

    Additionally, i think people actually deserve some clarification about exactly how PS3 and Vita will be effected by this new feature…..A LOT of us still use those platforms.

    • Blue_Terrier14
      April 10, 2019 at 4:59 pm PDT

      Yeah I would just wait a few months for them to clarify, after all, this is a big change to their servers

    • DrTran64
      April 10, 2019 at 7:35 pm PDT

      @Blue – Yeah…it wouldn’t be this big, earth-shattering change, if Sony had just built the PSN correctly in the first place.

  • SaiSaichi21
    April 10, 2019 at 4:29 pm PDT

    Hey how soon can PSN users on the east coast make the change? I’ve been trying to all day from my playstation and my web browser and I’ve had no luck. Please help?

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 4:41 pm PDT

      It should begin rolling out after 5pm Pacific time.

      However, it may take some additional time to rollout to your account specifically.

  • jekawesome
    April 10, 2019 at 4:34 pm PDT

    When will this feature be available please

  • GenghisKon83
    April 10, 2019 at 4:37 pm PDT

    Any update on what time this will take effect?

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 4:41 pm PDT

      It should begin rolling out after 5pm Pacific time.

      However, it may take some additional time to rollout to your account specifically.

  • Gtaking89
    April 10, 2019 at 4:46 pm PDT

    I mean is it really worth the risk?

  • Homo_Butt-Secks
    April 10, 2019 at 4:54 pm PDT

    I NEED THIS NAME CHANGE ASAP LOL!!

  • UndeadDalek
    April 10, 2019 at 4:56 pm PDT

    So the option to change still isnt showing up for me and I’m on the east coast. Any ideas what the issue is?

    • Homo_Butt-Secks
      April 10, 2019 at 4:57 pm PDT

      5pm pacific time

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 4:58 pm PDT

      Was planned for later today, but that might be very imminent.

      Per another page, it says rollout begins AFTER 5pm PST (which is in a few minutes).

      Still may take more time to rollout to your account though, but it’s close.

  • jmann_4567
    April 10, 2019 at 4:57 pm PDT

    Lmao PlayStation what did you even announce it for if it is not ready? announce it after its live

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 4:59 pm PDT

      There’s a lot to digest and consider before you go through with the change.

      I’m glad they did it this way. I’d rather have people be forced to spend some extra time understanding the risks first.

  • Rodx15
    April 10, 2019 at 5:01 pm PDT

    What if the name you want to change to is taken by an inactive account???

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 5:08 pm PDT

      At the moment, Sony hasn’t announced any plans regarding inactive accounts.

      If an Online ID is still taken by an account, it still cannot be used by anyone else.

      I do hope SIE considers a CAREFUL purge of clear inactive and never-used accounts at some point…after everyone’s had some time to digest the online ID change feature.

    • AndreaSverige
      April 14, 2019 at 5:39 am PDT

      Yes, any forced account clearance policy is a slippery slope. It should be done very carefully indeed. Not like Xbox for example. Or even worse, like Nintendo.

      I really think only two kinds should “ever” be removed. First type: Those that were once created with the intent to use, but never taken in action. (not a single trophy nor purchase) For a name that was at least somewhat thought out, but a new better name maybe was started and used right after instead. A warning and a time to use it should still be sent to mail. It is probably likely the mail is not in use either in many of these cases. So the account could never have been smoothly resurrected either way.

      And the second: The promotion spambot (camgirls, link ad revenue schemes) accounts. These names will probably be of little interest to anyone all the same, as they are usually just semi-random or robot generated strings. These never have a single trophy either, but probably a few ten-thousands of messages sent.

      Maybe there could even be an automated alert trigger for that later behavior to shut them down quicker. Any account starting by sending a mass of messages but not doing anything else is clearly not belonging to an ordinary user.

      Just a thought.

  • SandMan4254
    April 10, 2019 at 5:04 pm PDT

    there is no option to change my id

  • hatchetman12988
    April 10, 2019 at 5:07 pm PDT

    It says in the evening Pacific time when it will be available. Read the whole article and you will see your answers ya there are some games you might lose saved data or trophies but trophies are pointless anyways so no big deal. Some games might not work anymore there’s a list for a reason so look at it. Idk what the issue is the first name change is FREE lol if it don’t work you can change back to your old name and everything works again lol all games after April 1st 2018 are suppose to work and if there are issues you are to report the issue so they can try and fix it that’s all said in the article. This is free Sony was grateful enough to make the 1st time free so be happy you don’t have to spend more money on something that might not work for you even though all the info you need is in this article.

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 5:13 pm PDT

      I love that it’s an option for people if they want it.

      Yes there are alternatives (new account), yes there are risks, but each person should be able to make that decision on their own.

      It’s a decision folks have not been able to make for a long time, and soon they will be able to, and that’s great!

      I know this must not have been an easy feat to pull off, but I’m glad PSN is getting it!

    • darastrix_cayosi
      April 11, 2019 at 1:46 am PDT

      @Dead-Sync i sure people are glad the name change in ps4 is now a option but just like early access or beta game, those are people that don’t mind palying the game even when it is not finished yet and those who would wait until the game is finished before playing it. that how i see the name change option, i see it as a something that is in a beta stage and i would rather wait until it fully finished before using it

    • darastrix_cayosi
      April 11, 2019 at 1:49 am PDT

      all sony did was just added a other pro and con to the which is better debate of xbox one and ps4, and the pro and con that added is should i play xbox live where there no risk in doing a name change or ps4 where there a risk in doing a name change

  • lKingOfDarkness_
    April 10, 2019 at 5:12 pm PDT

    Quando a atualização estará disponível?

  • KoekGaming935
    April 10, 2019 at 5:15 pm PDT

    It is not popping up on my ps4 that i can change it and i went on the web and it says that once I’ve created my username it’s unable to be changed. Can someone help me with this

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 5:16 pm PDT

      Probably still not live yet, or not yet rolled out to your account specifically.

      It should start rolling out very shortly, from what we’ve been told.

  • meganlovestwdcar
    April 10, 2019 at 5:19 pm PDT

    It’s not giving me the option to even change it and I really want to cuz mine has an typo :/

  • Dead-Sync
    April 10, 2019 at 5:21 pm PDT

    For those following, at this point in time it seems as if the Change Online ID feature is rolling out now. The page that previously said to check back around 5pm PST, now displays a Change ID button.

    So…you might start seeing this rollout to your account shortly now it seems.

  • Top_Binz11
    April 10, 2019 at 5:26 pm PDT

    When will this feature be up?

    • Top_Binz11
      April 10, 2019 at 5:26 pm PDT

      As you can tell by my name I’ve been waiting 5 years for this moment.

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 5:28 pm PDT

      haha, it should be shortly. It was estimated to start rolling out around 5pm PST, and I just saw the site change to display a button where before it said check back later.

      Should be coming fairly soon.

    • TwitchHoldnuts
      April 10, 2019 at 5:31 pm PDT

      HAaaa look at this loser top_binz11 peasant

  • TwitchHoldnuts
    April 10, 2019 at 5:31 pm PDT

    I Orgasmed once I saw my new name

  • KidsNoel
    April 10, 2019 at 5:35 pm PDT

    ITS UP AND RUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I can finally change this name from my brothers and I’s shared account and have it more, personalized. THANK YOU SONY

    • KidsNoel
      April 10, 2019 at 5:40 pm PDT

      Nevermind still cant cause child account.

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 5:42 pm PDT

      Yeah Child Accounts can’t have their Online ID changed.

      However, once the account holder turns 18 (determined by the DoB entered), that account can be upgraded to an Adult Account, and then you could do the Online ID change.

  • saab01
    April 10, 2019 at 5:43 pm PDT

    Will you lose trophys ???

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 5:49 pm PDT

      You won’t outright lose trophies you already earned.

      However, tested games with critical issues, or games that are untested and yield critical issues may prevent you from progressing towards or unlocking more trophies.

      It is a case-by-case basis with each game, so you might want to research games that are of interest to you.

      However, your PSN account is part of the whole PSN service – changing your Online ID wouldn’t cause you to lose other parts of your PSN account, just potentially in games that don’t support the feature.

  • joqhr
    April 10, 2019 at 5:45 pm PDT

    FINAALLYYYY AFTER ALL THEESE YEARS OF BEING MADE FUN OF ARE FINALLY OVER

    • Dead-Sync
      April 10, 2019 at 5:49 pm PDT

      lol congratulations

    • xAwoke
      April 10, 2019 at 8:29 pm PDT

      lol

    • darastrix_cayosi
      April 11, 2019 at 1:32 am PDT

      @joqhr was it worth the risk, at least xbox one players didn’t have to worry about any risk when they did a name change, i been waiting for this name change to be a option for ps4 but the risk is too high for me to use the name change option, i will wait until the risk level become zero before i ever use the name change option

  • vedymas
    April 10, 2019 at 6:00 pm PDT

    So this means the following, my progress or trophies might be unlinked or lost, standings online might disappear, purchased content might be gone, and all my ps3 collection and vita collection games and achievements will be gone to oblivion or to the black hole they just found lol, I think I’ll wait and see what errors the community reports in order to do this.

  • AlphaGear13
    April 10, 2019 at 6:03 pm PDT

    This is a nice solution, but one that is only debatably worth it. My name was not intentionally “naughty”, but Sony decided it was enough to phonetically find a homophobic slur in the middle. So now my name is censored in some games; but to change it, I run a risk of ruining game progress or losing access to features/paid-for content and add-ons. And here’s the kicker, my name probably violates the updated ToS. So if I change and have issues, I’m stuck with it because I won’t be able to revert.

    This is a real pickle. I’m gonna have to think on this for a bit before changing, unless there are updates to the errors on the way.

  • Cullen101_
    April 10, 2019 at 6:24 pm PDT

    When will the PSN name change be available for players in Canada?

  • BIOHAZARDjihen_
    April 10, 2019 at 6:39 pm PDT

    It tells me the ID I want is “not allowed”, so that’s cool. Let people use the word “ass” but I can’t use the word “melon”. *sigh*

  • LTFU231
    April 10, 2019 at 6:45 pm PDT

    Whenever someone tests it with Apex lmk the effects if any

  • Obito_Uchiha297
    April 10, 2019 at 6:51 pm PDT

    So I’ve tried to change my ID name and it only says ” This ID is not available” and I’ve even shortened it and stuff. Is there a way to fix this???

  • Zevy_Nova
    April 10, 2019 at 7:14 pm PDT

    Is Battlefield V supported?

  • Zevy_Nova
    April 10, 2019 at 7:18 pm PDT

    Is The Division 2 supported?

  • TsumemasaSmoked
    April 10, 2019 at 7:38 pm PDT

    will FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn work change PSN ID ?

  • Itsyourboibigdad
    April 10, 2019 at 8:11 pm PDT

    So I have a problem I have two accounts because this one I’m using had a username I want and on my main account it has a username I don’t like and I want to change it to the one I had on this account and when I try to change it won’t let me I don’t understand why can someone help me with this?

  • RadicalSpirit
    April 10, 2019 at 8:16 pm PDT

    This was an extreme disappointment.

    Adding the option to change your ID, but not deleting old IDs that literally have not bee used in a decade, is one of the biggest oversights that I can only put down to sheer laziness.

    In essence, all name change allows people to do is switch their PSN to a name they could’ve created for a fresh account a week ago.

    The whole point of the name change for most of us, was the ability to snatch an original version of our names, maybe without numbers or underscores (obviously this isn’t my main psn account kn typing on)

    I’m legit so salty about this waste of time update.

    Yet again, you have let us down with this mediocrity.

  • BrokeBackDamon
    April 10, 2019 at 8:26 pm PDT

    Yo, so I changed my name and have been on Rocket league. Yet, I cannot be invited to anything, parties, games, etc. I cant view any of my friends profiles.

    I can que by myself and that is it. What are your answers for this. Any advice would be great

  • xAwoke
    April 10, 2019 at 8:27 pm PDT

    Say if i use my free name change and i don’t like my new name then i try revert to my old name do i still have my free name change?

  • LivehardPlayhard
    April 10, 2019 at 8:53 pm PDT

    That’s great except I wish you would make it so we could change the email address associated with the account as the one associated with mine hasn’t been an active email for about 8 years. Why this can’t be done is beyond me. Just something to think about.

  • TheHunisher
    April 10, 2019 at 9:07 pm PDT

    I changed my ps tag on my ps4 and now I can’t log into the psn on my ps3.

  • Chuck_Brown
    April 10, 2019 at 9:16 pm PDT

    So what exactly will happen to Vita and PS3 games? Is there a Vita games list available or in the works?

    Long Live Vita

  • Phoenix50k
    April 10, 2019 at 10:22 pm PDT

    When you say: “PS3 and PS Vita games are not supported”, what specifically does that mean?

    Losing all trophies? The games become disassociated from your account and need to be purchased again? It will still display the old handle? Losing all DLC and in-game currency? You can no longer log in to the account because of the new handle?

    Lots of people still play games on their PS3s and Vitas, you have to be very clear about this.

  • Runeblade1018
    April 10, 2019 at 11:15 pm PDT

    I’ve been waiting for this name change ability for years! Now I’m finally able to change my username, but I can’t because it matches my email address. Are you kidding me Sony?! This is ridiculous! This is the ONLY system that doesn’t allow me to utilize the same name as my email address. Such an unfair system. Now I’m stuck with this username I’ve had for like 13 years smh

  • G-U-I-N-G-O
    April 10, 2019 at 11:16 pm PDT

    It is possible to exchange ID with your other accounts? what happens if an ID is occupied by another of your accounts and you want to use it in your primary?

    • AndreaSverige
      April 12, 2019 at 3:26 pm PDT

      Some sort of account merge function would be good.

      I’m sure many did the halfway solution way back before when this was a never happening scenario, and created a new account only to since being stuck switching to another just for the store and back for example.

  • Jurkka
    April 10, 2019 at 11:18 pm PDT

    They should’ve named this “name change” as “only new name change” as it is the only thing it is for. I would also like to get some online ID that haven’t been used since 2007.

  • Jurkka
    April 10, 2019 at 11:21 pm PDT

    But I understand that they cannot release the anyones name even if they give it personally away as some games need it to work and Sony might get in trouble if users cannot play some of their games and they start demanding refunds or such. Its just turning into a mess in the end, so it might’ve been easier to lock everyones name to them. Foeva.

  • TaKePrecaution
    April 10, 2019 at 11:21 pm PDT

    can i correct my PSN Username? i don’t want to change it into something else but simply fix an uppercased letter

  • cowmamba
    April 10, 2019 at 11:41 pm PDT

    I really want to try it but it’s just too darn risky. I have a huge Vita library It would be devastating to lose some of the progress I’ve made.

  • CjFlex32
    April 10, 2019 at 11:59 pm PDT

    Anyone have a link to the FAQ? Just wondering if I will keep my trophies earned on PS3 and Vita. Just need confirmation before I change. Thanks in advance.

    • x--OttoDavila--x
      April 11, 2019 at 12:28 am PDT

      Hello!
      I have changed my PSN ID to use back an old account I left because of the ID. I really don’t remember how much trophies I had (+3000) but seems everything is there. I’m level 20 and everything seems good so far. I also see my PS3 / PS Vita trophies (including platinums) so I think you should give it a try.

  • x--OttoDavila--x
    April 11, 2019 at 12:14 am PDT

    I could change my PSN ID and have been playing a few games:
    – Plants vs Zombies GW1
    – Plants vs Zombies GW2
    – Friday the 13th
    So far I haven’t seen any issues. Also, I’m still level 20 and all my trophies are there. I’m glad I can now play from the account I left because I wanted my name on the ID jeje xD. I’ll play more tomorrow and may update this post to include more results.

  • darastrix_cayosi
    April 11, 2019 at 1:25 am PDT

    @Dead-Sync at least when you make the name change in Xbox Live, no risk come with that name change. i will be happy with waiting longer even if it waiting 10 year until name changing in ps4 online id is at name changing in Xbox Live stage where there is no risk

    • AndreaSverige
      April 13, 2019 at 3:25 am PDT

      Name change will always be “beta” on PS4. Come PS5 though, it will be the expected way the system works.

      The PSN now essentially has the same system other social networks with name change has. But old software will of course never fully support it without extra work-around or patches to every single game. So that is not happening, ever.

      PS5 is in 2 years I guess?

  • JCon2Terminators
    April 11, 2019 at 4:00 am PDT

    John Connor to Terminators

  • LEFT__4__DEAD__2
    April 11, 2019 at 4:05 am PDT

    Interesting :)

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