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

http://PS3EXPLAINED.COM WALTER

Is there any way to delete a psn account or user?
David

If I bought my ps3 from us which is region 1 can I play with a game that is region 2 plz answer quick
Trollthug2010

My ps3 says that I have to accept the privacy policy on my PSN but I can’t sing into is. What do I do. And another question… It’s not letting me hear people on online games and I can’t speak or nuthin what can I do to fix it

wvbombsquad

I had the same problem. Log into the master account and update the system. Then accept the pricacy policy and it should work. Is there any way to convert a sub account into a master account though?

Myoshobi

Same problem here. Any way to find out who is the master account? I must have made my account under 1 of my brothers, but have no idea who to ask to log in.
Or if you find out how to transfer an account into a master, please let me know.
Gitarkid

yeah im trying to log into my psn but its saying “you must ask the holder of the associated master account to hep you sign in. for sub account holder to sign in you must accept the terms of service/user agreement and privacy policy again using the master account.” but there is only one account on my ps3 and that’s the one im using. any clues how i could sign in?
http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

You have to find out who the Master Account is. I don’t think there is any way to know from the Sub-Account. Your best bet is to contact Playstation Support: how to contact support
http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

I’ve just added a section to common problems with PSN for advice on accepting the Terms of Service, etc.

ReesesPeices10101

Hi. I created my ps3 account on my friends master account a few years ago. And now when i try to log into my online account, it says that the owner of the master account needs to accept the Terms of Service/User Agreement and Privacy Policy AGAIN. And my friend either doesnt remember his pssword or doesnt want to help me out. Is there any other way i can remove my account off his master account and create my own master account without deleting my current online ID, trophies etc? Please help.

BOB

same here, and i still have no friggen idea how to fix it, WILL SOMEONE ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS ALREADY!!!!!!!

Raylee_adams

I gave up, and just submitted a question to the PlayStation Knowledge center. Hopefully they can help. Go to this website….

http://us.playstation.com/support/ask/
Val

Same problem here! I guess it will be bad for their business if they don’t fix it quick, im trying to buy an addon $10 but can’t because of this problem… they already lost $10 ! maybe when they will lose thousands they will realize it’s a serious problem.

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

Hi guys, I’ve just added a section to common problems with PSN for advice on accepting the Terms of Service.

Janis C

I have a master account but i want my child to be abe to chat on a game, how do i change the parental controls?

Mikegutierrez51

well you dont need to use parental controls you just need to buy a mic that cost around 30 dollars or up?
congo-MoB-72

go into settings on your ps3, then go to security settings, once you’ve inputed your pssword if you made one you will be able to change the parental locks from there. i hope this helps.

congo-MoB-72

my query is this, i’m trying to view my psn sub-accounts and what i mean is my id-names for ex: johndoe@name.com. i have recently purchased a new ps3 due to the fact my old one after 6 yrs has died on me and im trying to recover my sub- accounts. can anyone hlep me.
SEXXYLOLA27

i need help…im guessin the MASTER ACCOUNT IS THE ACCOUNT YU 1ST ADD WHEN YU GET THE PLAYSTATION?????????????/
Avjaarsveldt

Hi
My brother bought a ps3 mini game on the psn on his PS3.
When he download the game it said that he can download the game in 5 systems.
Can he logg on to my PS3 and download the game for me to play?

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

Yes it’s often how people share PS Store purchases. Don’t do it with strangers though.

Tdb2cul4u

yeah hw do you do stuff like that! hw do u akcept the Terms of Service/User Agreement and Privacy Policy
KiiNG

hi guys i was making a new ps3 acc and when it came up to the email bit it doesnt let me use my email i dont no why

FaZe_FaKiE

maybe coz ur email has been stolin by sum1 else and is nt availible

Genemamaril28

um, hi i was just wondering when your playing black ops and want to have 2 different accounts online with the same ps3 what do you have to do?

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

It’s currently not possible on a PS3 to log in more than one PSN account at a time.

johnny

why not?
http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

I suppose someone at Sony thought you’d only need one account at a time? There are a lot of things with PSN that don’t make sense, or at least weren’t thought through very well.

DeadZombies

Hi, Er I made an sub account and have agreed go the Terms of Service/User Agreement and Privacy Policy
but i want to go online it saids “Online service is disabled on your playstation@Network account due to parental control restrictions” How do i take it off
Lifeless28

i have a sub account and it wont let me go online how do i fix it
L-bourne

i have 2 ps3s in one room, they both go online then one disconnects, if i take 1 and put in another room then its fine, so y wont they work online in the same room someone plzzzzzzz help

FaZe_FaKiE

i think because u have 1 internet box and 2 ps3s nearby. maybe nt though
Yin

Conflicting IP address or DNS Error. Try changing your internet settings on the ps3. I had the same problem when playing DCUO.

Gettoska8

same here i have all my call of duty games and online friends for 3 years now i can log in because of the same reason
Gettoska8

is there a way to change sub account to master account
Charles Martel III

If i have two users and i want to download the Black Ops map pack if i buy it for one does the other user get the same map pack when he didnt buy it

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

Yes it should be available to all users on the PS3.

Chrispatfarn

Are you sure? my friend told me his brother downloaded first strike and now he doesnt have it on his User
http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

In general whatever you purchase on PS Store is available to all the users on your PS3. There are some exceptions e.g. I think Gran Turismo Prologue was locked to one PSN account. Maybe the map pack has a similar restriction? You’d have to check the description of the item.

Steven

Yup did it today

Paula_and_baby

I am tring to make it to were my plastation network is not accessable from another ps3. Anyone have an idea how to do that
Carlos

I have two diferent Master accounts in my PS3, each one with purchases for PSP and PS3, I want to have only one. here is the question: How can I make my two master accounts only one maste account? (is it possible to unify accounts?)

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

You could try asking Sony but I’m pretty sure there is no way to merge PSN accounts.

Ps3xbox

Not sure if it’s the same with PS3 but I called xbox live and merged 2 xbox live profiles into one….although i lost some achievments and gamerscores somehow when i did it.

Johnkelly2

I created my account a few years ago I have forgotten my password and the email that I used is nolonger valid. Is there anyway to cancel the old account or to reset the password and change the email to a valid email address?

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

You can only change details if you can log in, so I think you’re out of luck.

Lmays11

I have had my acount for like 3 years and today when i tried to sign in it said that i cant sign in on a different user or something and i have been signing in with it for the whole time ive had it. Help
Citizene96

Hi , I want to make another sub account but it says i have six and thats the limit , so i deleted one but it still says its full plz help

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

Did you just delete the User? The Sub Account is likely still associated then. You will probably have to make a second Master Account and put the additional Sub Accounts on that.

Citizene96

how do i make a second account? “Master”
Sunsong13

can you tell me how to make a second master account? thanks!
http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

You firstly need to make a new User on the PS3. Then go onto that User and sign up for Playstation Network.

Anonymous

Hey, just wondering how the downloads between accounts work. For example, I understand if a master account buys some downloadable content e.g a map pack, at least all sub account users benefit from the purchase. Does that work because the other users are ‘sub accounts’ or does it work because they’re using the same system?
My issue is this, I have a US psn redeeming code that only works in a US PS3 store (i’m from the UK), so i need to make a US psn account. No worries so far. If I redeem the code on that account, I am wondering if the other normal UK accounts will get the content since they share the same system, or will they not as the other accounts are sub accounts of a different master account?

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

Whatever is downloaded to the PS3 system will/should be available to all Users on it, no matter if they have PSN accounts or not. For example, my country is Australia but I have redeemed a UK PSN card and made purchases from the UK store, and that is available to everyone on my PS3.

pleasehelp

so i want to buy a game from the ps store and its says my master account wallet is empty. How will I use money to buy the game with the master account? can someone help?

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

You’re trying to make a purchase using a Sub Account? Sounds like you need to log in to the Master Account and add funds.

mini76

How do I find out if my Account is a Master or Sub ?
he

How do you access your master account?
EJ

if i have an online id and create a 2nd user can they have a different online id?

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

Yes each User can have it’s own PSN account (online ID).

mini76

Is there anyway you can find out how many times you have created a master account on differante consoles ?
mrmishka67

Im using a sub account and my main account is my parent one… when i try to go online on blackops on my sub account it says i dont have parental access. i went on my parent one and i unblocked it.. but still i cant go on?? any ideas?
Connorpreston

how do i get my account back if i have forgotten the DOB i put in online

Pretty_lady1234

idk figure it out yor self!!

HeyThere

If I sign into psn with a different ps3 and use a beta code, do I still have access to the beta on my first ps3?

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

Yes the beta code goes onto the PSN account, so if you are using the same account on each PS3 then it should be fine.

Chelsea

Is there a way to change a sub-accounts DOB through the master account? I was 17 at the time when I mad a sub account for myself under my father. He doesn’t care if I have a master account seeing that I never really buy anything on the store anyway. I would love to connect my trophies to my Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/jonathan.hiestand Jonathan Hiestand

Once a master account is created, whatever sub accounts under it will be affected by it. It cannot be changed, ever. So if you choose to make a master account, and have someone else be it, be sure you know this person inside and out has a good character. Because the master account will never change, and because my best friend turned out to be a wife-beating-child-beating-meth-addicted-alcoholic-douchebag, he won’t sign the new terms of agreement, which means I can’t play online with my 9th level prestige character on CoD. All of my data is lost, because Sony has issues.

So still thinking of getting a playstation? Just be forewarned of the shit Sony can be sometimes.

Anonn

this is clearly your mistake. don’t try to blame Sony for the fact that you trusted some lowlife friend of your.

Subzero211

how do u have 2 accounts playing at the same time
SNELF

help!!!!may sound a complete novice but i had a user account LAMBFISH on my ps3 a few yrs back an forgot the password..wounded lost evry thing so started a new user JADAKRO under the same email address and now guess what i forgotten my password again..so ive been searchin and found a site to reset the password.loverly!! however when i enterered the relevent details password emaail blardy blare… it reset my previous userand not the second user which i was hopeing for.. reason im asking is my blurays given in and have purchased brand spanker so when i come to setting it up its gonna ask me my details, my problem is i wont be able to get on JADAKRO whoich is the account i need back..as every time i go to reset password it asks for email address and automatically assumes its the first user LAMBFISH..is this the primary account? and when i log into this will Jadakro b a sub user? or non existing? i dont really wanna loose everything asgain or is there a way to reset the sub users account info passwords emaill…??? pls help!!!!! thanks for your time..peace
Her-man

help i have forgotten email and password on my ps3 and i have made a new but i cant log in its written xcant log in on a different email HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beast

click forgot password when you are at the sign in screen of the playstation network. then you should get an email.

Sunsong13

I am having the same problem as “her-man”….but my problem is even worse because I can’t get into the email that the account was created from (an idiot friend changed things on my ps3 and doesn’t remember any passwords.) Please help!!

elltoy.

please help I want to put some extra cash on my ps3-account but every time I try it says ” a problem has been found
If someone could help me , I would appreciate it:).

Pretty_lady1234

tuff luck dude, better luck next time!!!!

Beast

how do you log into two accounts at the same time on the psn. and on the same consele ?
cautious

okay, i purchased avatars on my master account and i want to use them on my sub accounts. is there any way i can do that?
Dramo

Uhm, i hav a problem, im trying to copy my saved data frm one user account to another user account. I successfully copied it, bt when i try to load the data it says “You did not create this saved game data. File cannot be loaded.” What should i do, how do i get it to load?

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

It’s a restriction that some games employ to prevent copying save files around (probably to prevent you getting trophies). I doubt there is anything you can do about it.

PS3 Explained