You should always enable two-step verification when you have the chance, and if you're a PlayStation user, Sony thankfully supports this feature to protect your PlayStation account.

We'll show you how to enable and use two-step verification on your PlayStation account.

How to Enable Two-Step Verification for PlayStation Accounts

While you can add two-step verification to your PlayStation account on your PS4 or PS5, it's easier to do using a computer, which is the method we'll cover here.

To set up two-step verification (also called two-factor authentication or 2FA) on your PlayStation account, you'll need to visit your profile. Head to the PlayStation homepage and click your profile icon at the top-right, followed by Account Settings. If you don't see this, click Sign In to log into your account first.

Note that since Sony owns the PlayStation brand, you'll see Sony branding on the login page, and some following pages, instead of PlayStation. This is normal, and not a sign of a phishing scam!

Once you're signed in, you'll see your account management page. On the left side, select Security to open a new page. You might have to confirm your password again to proceed.

Sony Account PlayStation Security Options

On the new page, you'll see various options related to the security of your account. If you want to use text messages for two-step verification, make sure you've added a Mobile Number here, as this is required for that form of verification. We recommend that you avoid using SMS if possible, since it's not as secure as other 2FA methods.

The settings for this feature are in the 2-Step Verification header, as you'd expect. Click Edit next to Status, then choose Activate to set up the feature. You can choose to get a text message to your mobile number or generate a code through an authenticator app.

Depending on which method you pick, you'll either get a code via text message or a key to enter into your chosen authenticator app. Once you get a login code, you must enter this to confirm that you've set up everything correctly.

PlayStation Add 2FA Method

After you've completed the process, the Status field should show as Active. For more information, see PlayStation's page on two-step verification.

How Two-Step Verification Affects Your PlayStation Account

Now that you have two-step verification set up on your PlayStation account, your password alone isn't enough to sign in. After entering your password while signing in on a new device or unfamiliar browser, the site will ask you for a code from your phone. You must also enter this code to log in.

As you'd imagine, this protects your account because even if your password is compromised, an attacker can't get into your account unless they have access to your phone too. Like other services that support this function, you can tell a given browser to remember you so you don't need to log in with 2FA every time there.

If you want to switch your method from texts to an authenticator app or vice-versa, you'll need to deactivate the feature, then enable it again and choose the new method.

By the way, if you're setting up 2FA in reaction to a security incident, we've explained what to do if your PSN account is hacked.

PSN Backup Codes and Device Passwords

When you use two-step verification for your PlayStation account, you should be aware of two important points. These both appear on the same Security settings page as above.

PlayStation 2FA Codes Passwords

First, you should make sure to save a copy of the Backup Codes for your account. These allow you to sign in even if you lose access to your authentication method and thus can't get your two-step code. You should print these codes out somewhere safe or save them in a password manager.

Second, two-step verification is not supported by legacy devices like the PS3, PS Vita, and PlayStation TV. If you still use these, you'll need to generate a special device password to sign in.

To do this, click the Generate or Manage Device Setup Passwords field on the Security page. On this page, select Generate New Password and the site will give you a random password to use while signing in. Enter this instead of your account password when you sign in on your PS3 or other older device.

For best results, check all the boxes that let you stay signed in, so you don't have to repeat this process every time. This password will continue to work unless you revoke it on this page. And you can always generate a new one if you lose the old one.

PlayStation Device Setup Password

Two Factors Protecting Your PlayStation Account

Now you know how to turn on two-step verification and add more security to your PlayStation Network (PSN) account. We recommend this to keep yourself safe.

While your PlayStation account isn't as much of a potential vulnerability as your email or social media, it's still important to keep it secure.