To manage your PSN profile privacy, open the privacy settings for your account on the web, on a PS5 or on a PS4, then choose who can see your profile, activity and friends. On PS5, you can pick a ready-made preset or customize each setting one by one.
Privacy settings are tied to your account, so a change made in one place applies on all your devices. This psnuser.com walkthrough shows where to find each option and how to choose sensible settings.
Key Takeaways
- Privacy settings belong to your account and apply on every device you use.
- You can change them on the web, on a PS5 or on a PS4.
- PS5 offers four presets, from Social and Open to Solo and Focused.
- You control who sees your real name, online status, friends and gaming history.
- Parents can manage privacy for child accounts through family settings.
Where to Find Your PSN Privacy Settings
You can reach the same account-level settings from three places. Pick whichever is easiest for you.
- On the web: sign in, go to Account Management, select Privacy settings, choose a feature, and select Edit.
- On PS5: go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Privacy.
- On PS4: go to Settings, then Account Management, then Privacy Settings. You may need to sign in again.
On PS5, you’ll see two options. “Adjust Privacy Settings by Choosing a Profile” applies a preset, while “View and Customize Your Privacy Settings” lets you change individual features.
Safety note: only sign in through your console or the official PlayStation website. If an email or message asks for your password to “fix” your privacy, ignore it.
Choose a Preset Privacy Profile on PS5
Presets are the fastest way to set your PSN profile privacy. Sony offers four of them on PS5, and the table below shows how they compare.
| Preset | Who can see your profile information | Who can invite you to chat | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social and Open | Any player | Anyone, since you’re open to all requests and messages | Players who enjoy meeting new people |
| Team Player | Any player can see most of it | At least friends of friends | Players who team up often but want some limits |
| Friend Focused | Only your friends | Only your friends | Most everyday players |
| Solo and Focused | No one, not even friends | No one, not even friends | Players who want maximum privacy |
If no preset feels quite right, select Review and Customize to fine-tune the details. At psnuser.com, we suggest starting with Friend Focused if you’re unsure, then adjusting only the settings you care about.
Customize the Settings That Matter Most
Sony groups privacy settings into a few categories. Each one controls a different part of what other players can see or do.
Gaming and Media
This category decides who can see the media you share and your recent activities. On PS5, related options cover who can see your online status, what you’re currently playing and your gaming history.
You can also hide specific games from other players. That is handy if you’d rather keep part of your library to yourself.
Friends and Connections
Here you control who can send you friend requests, who can follow your account and who can see your connections. On PS5, you can also choose who can see your friends list.
Personal Info and Messaging
This is where you decide who can see your real name and who can communicate with you. On PS5, you can set who sees your real name and profile picture in search results, within games and as a friend suggestion.
Communication and Multiplayer
On PS5, this group covers who can ask to be your friend and who can interact with you through parties, games and messages. It also holds your list of blocked players and your crossplay game invitation setting.
If PlayStation Stars is available in your region, you can also control who sees your Stars level and display case.
Smart Habits to Protect Your PSN Profile Privacy
Settings work best alongside good habits. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre advises gamers to apply privacy settings and avoid giving out personal information in-game.
- Pick an Online ID that doesn’t reveal your real name, birth year or hometown.
- Limit who can see your real name to friends, or to no one.
- Accept friend requests only from people you actually know.
- Review your settings every few months, especially after big changes to how you play.
- Block and report anyone who harasses you or asks for personal details.
Privacy and security go together. Once your profile is locked down, turn on PSN 2-step verification so a stolen password alone can’t open your account.
For more ways to protect yourself, read our online safety guides on scams, logins and safer play.
Privacy Settings for Child Accounts
If you’re a child member of a family on PlayStation, your privacy profile is set by your family manager, parent or guardian. Depending on parental controls, you might be able to change some settings yourself.
Family managers can manage a child’s privacy settings and choose which ones the child may change. They get a notification whenever a setting changes, and they can see the child’s activity through the PlayStation Family app.
Parental controls also decide whether a child can chat in parties, send messages or view content made by other players. The ESRB’s PS5 parental controls guide explains these options in plain language.
Planning to play online with friends? Check our guide on whether you need PS Plus to play online, and find more console tips in our Gaming section.
New to PlayStation help topics? The psnuser.com guide for users brings together our account, safety and troubleshooting articles in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other players see my real name on PSN?
Only if your settings allow it. You decide who can see your real name, and on PS5 you can set this separately for search results, games, friend suggestions and your close friends’ lists of friends. For most players, limiting your real name to friends, or to no one, is the safer choice.
Do privacy changes apply to all my devices?
Yes, Sony ties privacy settings to your account rather than to a single console. If you change a setting on the web, on a PS5 or on a PS4, the change is reflected on every device where you sign in. You don’t need to repeat the same changes on each console.
What is the most private preset on PS5?
Solo and Focused is the most private option. With it, no player can see your profile information or invite you to chat, even people on your friends list. It suits players who want a quiet experience, but it can make teaming up with friends harder, so you may want to customize a few settings.
Can I hide what I’m playing on PSN?
Yes, on PS5 you can choose who can see your online status and what you’re currently playing, as well as who can see your gaming history. You can also hide individual games from other players. These options let you stay connected with friends while keeping your activity private from strangers.
