Users, Accounts and Sub Accounts

Users

  • You can have multiple “users” on one PS3
  • Each user has their own:
    • Theme & background settings
    • Save data for PS3 games & software
    • Trophies
    • Friends list & messages (when associated with a Playstation Network account)
  • All users share:
    • Saved data for PS1/PS2 games
    • Games in the Game menu
    • Everything in the Image, Music, and Video menu
  • Not password protected
  • Each user can be associated with one Playstation Network account.

Playstation Network (PSN) Accounts

There are two types of PSN accounts: Master and Sub. Both types have these properties:

  • Password protected
  • Online ID (nickname)
  • Access to online community & Playstation Store
  • Mailbox for sending & receiving messages to other accounts
  • Trophy collection that can be viewed by friends

PSN accounts do not cost anything to create and there is no subscription fee. An account is required to play games online.

Eligibility requirements for master accounts and sub accounts vary depending on the country or region of residence.

For details, read the Terms of Service for your region.

PSN Master Accounts

These are standard accounts. You need to be a certain age (generally 18 or older) to create a master account. With one you can:

  • Use a “Wallet”–add billing information to make purchases on Playstation Store
  • Associate (manage) up to six sub-accounts

PSN Sub Accounts

Sub-accounts (“subordinate accounts”) can be used by anyone, including children/minors. They are assigned to a master account (e.g. of the parent/guardian) therefore a sub account can not be created without an existing master account.

Some games are known to prevent sub-accounts from playing online (offline works fine), despite the user being a reasonable age and having the consent of the parent. If you are creating an account for your child and will allow them to play games online and do not need to control their actions, it would be advised to create a Master account for them.

  • The associated Master Account has the following control (Parental Control Settings) over the Sub Account:
    • Finances
    • Some voice/video chat restrictions

Related articles

← Older Comments
  • Cashmoney

     my younger brothers account doesnt let him communicate online (psn) on some games(BO2, borderlands 2) there are no parental control restrictions enabled. what is the cause?

    • Joe

       It should allow him to chat via mic if the master account allow it. You may need to go to accessory settings on ps3 to add on mic.

  • Cutiebear830

    i didnt have a guest account before i had a regular playstation network account, but i rebuilt my database and now when i try to play online for black ops 2 it says “guest accounts are restricted from this” what do i do?

    • Joe

       What do you mean by rebuilt your database, you mean you created another account?

  • Average Teen

    Kay so I have this Master account that me and my brother share , and like 2 more sub accounts(1 for me, and 1 for my brother) .
    If I buy a playstation network card for $20 , will it let me put it in MY account? Or will the money of the card be put in the Master account for my brother to also use?

    I want the $20 to be only for my account, is there an option to put the code In for my sub account?

    Pls and thanks.

    • http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

      I haven’t tried it but you should be able to go onto your Sub-account and redeem the card, which you do on the Playstation Store.

  • Samuel

    I have had an account for years and now I added my little brother and gave him a separate account online and it won’t allow me to play online. It says I can pt play online because I’m a guest. How do I get back to be able to pay online?
    Thanks

  • Basuragabo2

    i need to find out the e-mail and password I used with my PN account I only know the user name

  • Coreywestern1

    lol

  • COREYWESTERN1

    i got a email ps3 RAMBLE@HOTFISH.COM OR .CO.UK

  • MyEmail

    thanks a lot mate

  • Deadlysurfer666

    How can you change online services through a master account???

  • Devin Labrie

    i created an account on one user but i tryed a different gmail on a different ps3 user for a friend to play dead space 3 with me and it says his gmail is incorrect how do i fix it so i can play with him?

  • http://www.facebook.com/LouiseB500 Louise Angela Bowen

    um im 15 and I was having trouble signing in my PSN account, I had a sub account under my dads name, but he’s no longer living with us so we deleted his play station account.

    The only Master account is left is my older brother, is my account under his name or can he help me sign in, if now how can i? Please Help

← Older Comments