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How to Activate a PS3 Account

A PlayStation Network account gives you the power to download games, game content and movies through the PlayStation 3's online store. Downloaded media and content, however, is only viewable on an activated PlayStation 3 using the PlayStation Network account that was used to purchase the data. This poses a problem when transferring your account to a different console. However, Sony makes tools available that let you activate your account on a new system so you can view or play purchased media and content.

Instructions

- 1
  Turn on your PS3 and remove any game discs in the console. The XrossMediaBar appears.
- 2
  Scroll right using the left analog stick to highlight "PlayStation Network."
- 3
  Scroll down using the left analog stick to highlight "Sign in" and then press "X."
- 4
  Highlight "Sign-in ID" with the left analog stick and then press "X." An onscreen keyboard appears. Enter your ID by highlighting each character with the left analog stick and then pressing "X." Press the "Start" button after finishing entering your sign-in ID.
- 5
  Highlight "Password" using the left analog stick and press "X." An onscreen keyboard appears. Enter the password associated with your sign-in ID by highlighting each character with the left analog stick and pressing "X." Press the "Start" button after entering your password.
- 6
  Highlight "Sign In" using the left analog stick and press "X." The PS3 signs you in to your PSN account after a few seconds. The XrossMediaBar reappears.
- 7
  Scroll to the "PlayStation Network" section of the XrossMediaBar again using the left analog stick.
- 8
  Scroll down to the the "Account Management" section using the left analog stick, then press "X."
- 9
  Select "System Activation" by scrolling to its listing with the left analog stick and then pressing "X."
- 10
  Highlight "Game" using the left analog stick, then press "X."
- 11
  Highlight "Activate System" using the left analog stick, then press "X." A message reading "Please Wait" appears for less than 10 seconds. Afterward, a prompt pops up informing you that downloaded game content associated with the PSN account has been activated on your console.
- 12
  Press "X" to choose "OK," then press "X" again to choose "PS3 System." The System Activation menu loads again.
- 13
  Highlight "Video" using the left analog stick and then press "X."
- 14
  Highlight "Activate System" using the left analog stick and press "X." A message reading "Please Wait" appears for less than 10 seconds. Afterward, a prompt pops up informing you that downloaded game content associated with the PSN account has been activated on your console.
- 15
  Press "X" to finish account activation.

PlayStation 3