Change PSN name: Here's how
(Image source: Sony)
I know how it is. You chose your online name in your childhood, and now as an adult it annoys you that your Call of Duty comrades are amused by your username. At some point the past will catch up with us.
You can change your PSN name either directly on your PlayStation or via your web browser. But please note that you can only do this once for free. If you make a mistake or realize that you don't like your new name and want to change it again, it will cost 9.99 euros (or 4.99 euros if you have PS+). So if you do change it, make sure it's something you won't regret again in five years.
After the change, you can choose to have your old PSN name appear alongside the new one for thirty days, so all your friends know who they're playing with (although I totally understand if you don't want that, xXDe5tR0yerXx).
If you ever want to go back to your old name, simply contact PlayStation customer support and they will help you.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to change your PSN username:
On PlayStation:
- Go to Settings, Account Management, Account Information, Profile and then Online ID
- Choose a new online ID of your choice
- Choose whether or not you want to display your old ID for 30 days
- If you changed your ID before, you have to pay now, otherwise everything is done. Yaaay.
In the web browser:
- Sign in to your PlayStation Network account management, then select "PSN Profile" from the menu
- Go to your account page and change your online name (the edit button is next to your online name)
- The rest is the same as on the PlayStation - see above for more information
Now, this may all sound simple and nice, but keep in mind that PlayStation has advised that there may be some issues when changing your PSN name.
Possible PSN errors:
- You may lose access to content (including paid content such as DLCs)
- Your progress in these games may be lost
- Certain features for your game may no longer work (both online and offline)
It seems like these issues mostly occur with games released before April 1, 2018, as all PS4 games released after that are designed to support the online name change.
So when you change your name, please keep all these risks in mind. The full list and instructions for changing your online name can be found on the PlayStation website.
If you've carefully considered all your options and decided that changing the embarrassing username you created ten years ago is the right thing to do, then we applaud you for doing so.
And so will all of your Call of Duty buddies.