Sony launched the PlayStation Network way back in 2006. People signed up in droves, and everyone chose a PSN name as their online ID. However, many appear not to have realized that name would be permanent, as Sony refused to let you change your PSN name.
In October 2018, Sony finally announced that it was going to let you change your PSN name. The option was initially launched in beta as part of the PlayStation Preview Program, but it’s now being rolled out to everyone stuck with a name they no longer like.
How to Change Your PSN Name
As detailed on the PlayStation Blog, you can change your PSN name either on your PS4 or via a web browser.
To change your PSN name on your PS4, go to Settings, then select Account Management > Account Information > Profile > Online ID. Enter a new PSN name of your choosing (or one of the suggestions), and then follow the onscreen prompts to complete the change.
To change your PSN name on a web browser, sign into your PlayStation Network account and select PSN Profile. Select the Edit button next to your Online ID, and enter a new PSN name of your choosing. Finally, follow the onscreen prompts to complete the change.
Good news! All PS4 owners can change their online ID starting *today.* Here's how it works: https://t.co/t2v1RAbSfz pic.twitter.com/rRDq02kbLi
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) April 10, 2019
Changing your PSN name doesn’t mean you lose your old one. And you can revert back to an old PSN name by contacting PlayStation Support. You can also display your old PSN name next to your new PSN name for 30 days to help your friends notice the change.
Unfortunately, changing your PSN name comes with some risks. While games released after April 1, 2018 support the feature, older titles do not. And some may cause critical issues. Sony recommends checking this list of tested games before proceeding.
Sony Creates Another Way to Make Money
You can change your PSN name once for free, but after that, all subsequent name changes will cost you cold, hard cash. PlayStation Plus subscribers will pay $ 4.99, while everyone else will pay $ 9.99. So it would be a good idea to get this right the first time.
This is long overdue, as Xbox owners have been able to change their gamertags for a while now. Still, it gives PlayStation 4 owners who chose terrible PSN names when they were young a chance to start over. And then they can enjoy the best PS4 exclusives.
Read the full article: You Can Now Change Your PSN Name
