Gaming

PSN name change finally available on PlayStation: How to change Online ID

The long-requested feature to change your PSN online ID will be avaiable for PlayStation users starting April 10, allowing PSN users to finally be able to choose a new name via their console or web browser.

Update: Sony have released a list of games with no known issues, games with issues identified and games with critical issues when changing your online PSN ID. Full list below.

For years, PlayStation users have been stuck with whatever name they chose back when they first opened their account, and for obvious reasons, this wasn’t always ideal.

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Xbox users on the other hand, were able to change their name pretty easily (although it did cost a small fee), and PC gamers on platforms like Steam have been able to do freely for years too.

PlayStation users have been begging for the name change feature.

PlayStation began trialling the name changes in late 2018, but are now rolling out the feature around the world, announced in a blog post on April 10. It will be available in Europe by April 11.

Update, April 11: PSN name changes are now available worldwide. To change your PSN online ID, check the steps below.

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How to change PSN Online ID

So, how do you do it? You can either change your PSN Online ID on PlayStation 4, or on a web browser, here are the steps for each method:

Change PSN Online ID on PS4

  1. Go to settings
  2. Select Account Management > Account Information > Profile > Online ID
  3. Enter your new Online ID of choice
  4. Confirm the name change

Change PSN Online ID online

  1. Sign in to your PSN account
  2. Select PSN Profile
  3. Enter your new Online ID of choice
  4. Confirm the name change

Will your new PSN Online ID work in games?

PlayStation have stated that there are some issues with new names showing up in games, particularly games that are older – mostly released prior to April 1, 2018.

All PS4 games published since April 1, 2018, have been developed to support the name change feature, but PlayStation cannot guarantee they will all work, as they have not been tested.

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How many times can you change your PSN Online ID?

Somewhat surprisingly, PlayStation say there is no limit on how many times you can change your PSN Online ID – so you can just keep picking something else (as long as it’s available), if you don’t like what you have.

Is it free to change your PSN online ID?

Also – it is completely free for the first change, and $9.99 for any subsequent changes. PS Plus members will get subsequent changes at a discounted charge of $4.99.

Are there any risks in changing PSN Online ID?

If you are considering changing your PSN Online ID, there are a few issues you may want to consider. Potential risks include losing progress in certain games, some games may not function properly, and you may even lose content (even paid for content) for certain games.

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If you do encounter these issues, you can simply revert back to your previous Online ID, which PlayStation say should solve most problems.

Critical issues

Some games may encounter the following critical issues: User may lose in-game currency whether paid for or earned, loss of game progress, including scores and progress toward trophy unlocking and loss of UGC or parts of the game may not function properly, both online and offline. They are as follows:

  • Disc Jam
  • Just Dance 2017
  • LittleBigPlanet
  • MLB 14 The Show
  • MLB The Show 16
  • MLB® The Show
  • ONRUSH
  • The Golf Club 2
  • Worms™ Battlegrounds

Issues identified

Other games will encounter less significant issues such as:

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  • Previous online ID(s) may remain visible to you and other players, or the online ID is no longer visible in some areas in a game title (in-game rankings, leaderboards, etc). For some game titles, the online ID will automatically update if you sign out and then sign back in to the game or when various gameplay activity is performed after sign-in
  • User accounts on PlayStation may be unlinked from game accounts. Linking accounts again may restore the original linkage
  • Certain game settings may be initialized to their default state (audio setting, controller setting, etc). For some game titles, settings may be recovered if you sign out and then sign back in to the game.

The above may apply to the following games:

  • Absolver: Downfall
  • Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag
  • Big City Stories
  • Bloodborne
  • Call of Duty: Ghosts
  • Crossout
  • DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin
  • DARK SOULS III
  • DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS
  • EA SPORTS FIFA 17 Standard Edition
  • Gauntlet: Slayer Edition
  • GOD EATER 2 Rage Burst
  • Grand Theft Auto V
  • GUNDAM VERSUS
  • GUNS UP!
  • Injustice 2 – Standard Edition
  • KILLZONE SHADOW FALL
  • Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite
  • MLB The Show 17
  • NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4
  • NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM Trilogy
  • NARUTO STORM 4 : Road to Boruto Expansion
  • NBA 2K19
  • PlayStation VR Worlds
  • Rock Band 4 (Issues Identified*)
  • ROCKSMITH 2014 EDITION – REMASTERED
  • The Last of Us Remastered
  • Titanfall 2
  • Trackmania Turbo
  • Trove
  • UNCHARTED™ 4: A Thief’s End
  • UNO
  • Warframe
  • WipeOut Omega Collection

Last updated 12th April, 2019