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How To Use More Than One PSN Account on PS Vita


oversoul53

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done some research, and tested this method myself. yes it works.

 

First of all, note: before you go out and waste your money on a second Vita memory card, let it be know that contrary to popular belief swapping memory cards DOES NOT allow you to use a new PSN account, as the account is tied to the system, not the memory card. (PS Vita has half a gig of internal memory).

 

so first of all, connect you PS Vita to a PS3 or PC, if you connect it to a PC you're going to need Sony's Content Manager Assistant App which can be found here

 

next, launch the Content Manager App

 

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/418883_3428944889272_1439821104_3242341_1369154312_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/401245_3428944969274_1439821104_3242342_182433545_n.jpg

 

in most cases, the Vita will automatically recognize what it's connected to, but if it doesn't you'll get this screen

 

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/421995_3428945089277_1439821104_3242343_704553028_n.jpg

 

just choose the proper system.

 

next you'll see a screen like this:

 

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/431114_3428945369284_1439821104_3242345_1056774302_n.jpg

 

at the bottom there is a button that says "Backup Utility" tap it.

 

Next you'll come to a screen that says how much data is going to be backed up, and how much free space is on the connected device. So long as there's enough free space, tap "back up" and let the system do the rest.

 

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/424148_3428945569289_1439821104_3242346_677839763_n.jpg

 

this process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have.

 

if you are connected to a PS3 the backed up files will appear under the "PS Vita System Application Utility" under "Game"

 

if connected to a PC, the files will show up in a folder named "PS Vita" in your "Documents" folder

 

once the back up is done, exit out of content manager and open up your settings:

 

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/420746_3428944609265_1439821104_3242340_1823163831_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/431601_3428945889297_1439821104_3242347_66326884_n.jpg

 

next tap where it says "PlayStation Network"

 

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/424724_3429072012450_1439821104_3242401_1992280969_n.jpg

 

then tap "System Activation"

 

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/420365_3429072572464_1439821104_3242402_1001686060_n.jpg

 

go under both game and video/music and select "deactivate" and tap "yes"

 

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401073_3429073092477_1439821104_3242403_431107693_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/426572_3429073372484_1439821104_3242404_1795372984_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407073_3429073732493_1439821104_3242405_330686999_n.jpg

 

back out to the main settings screen and go to the bottom where is says "format" and tap it

 

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/406512_3428946129303_1439821104_3242348_491117496_n.jpg

 

then tap "Restore the PS Vita System"

 

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/423258_3428946329308_1439821104_3242349_989407677_n.jpg

 

then, just tap "restore"

 

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/420788_3428946449311_1439821104_3242350_1826741527_n.jpg

 

this will restore the Vita to factory settings and once it's done and you turn it on again, it'll be like brand new, but this time when setting up, you'll be typing in a new PSN account.

 

when you're ready to switch back to you're old account, all you have to do is repeat the steps above until you get to this screen again:

 

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/431114_3428945369284_1439821104_3242345_1056774302_n.jpg

 

but this time tap "Restore"

 

you don't have to reset the system again because the restored data will completely overwrite whatever's on the Vita before you tap "restore" including the PSN account.

 

I know this seems like a lot of hassle which is why I don't suggest doing it very often. In my case I did it this once to test it and only plan on doing it once more. My brother is a HUGE Uncharted fan and wants to play Golden Abyss after I'm done with it, but wants to do it on his own account for trophies and whatnot. He's only 17 and can't afford his own Vita, and I'm not gonna deny him the fun, ya know? So this method (while not preferred) is thus far the only sure fire way of sharing your system with multiple PSN accounts.

 

Hope this helps! :)

Edited by oversoul53
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Nice that there's a way to do it. A very stupid, very "this is a sweaty pile of balls" way to do it, but at least it can be done.

 

I still don't see what was wrong with user accounts like PS3 has, though. :shrugs:

They don't want you game sharing probably. Or say you shared a vita with your mum, your mum would have to buy a vita if she wanted to play on a separate account.

 

This way, Sony suck up more money.

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get thread very useful my hubby and me both have separate accounts and one PS Vita and therefore have to share, tho really considering buying another Vita to cut out this tedious way of signing into each others accounts tried this last night, we have two memory cards and took a while to restore and what not, when all we want to be able to do is pick it up and start playing :(

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Yeah, it's nice to know its possible... but reaaallly not probable. This takes FOREVER to do, as well as makes it so that you can't play EITHER system while it's backing up or restoring. For a husband and wife pair that do a lot of gaming, this option would not work.

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  • 2 months later...

Thanks for the tut! Definitely something to keep in mind if ever I have to borrow/lend a PSVita to a friend or family!

 

Since we are talking about this I have a question of my own regarding the PSVita. I have gotten mixed responses on this so I don't really know for certain, nor do I own a Vita yet and can't really test this out but...

 

Currently I have several PSN accounts (as any person out there really) for different regions (US, UK, FR) and would like to know if there is any way I can buy a game from the PSN store using one account, download it on the PS3, move it to the Vita and play it on the Vita account? Even if the account I used to buy it and the one on the Vita are different?

 

Basically want to know if the purchase is locked to the account that bought it even on the PS3 or is it only when buying with the Vita directly? It's just that I have my regular PSN account with I used all this time for trophies and whatnot that's UK, but since I don't have a Brittish credit card I can't buy directly from the store (cept through PSN cards). However because I currently live in France I have a French credit card that I can use with ease, however it only works on a French account! Which is basically why I want to know if there's any way I can buy a vita game on my French account, move it to the Vita and then play in with my main UK account?

 

If not then I guess I need to go buy some PSN cards for Vita games....:(

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've just had a go just because. Bloody pain in the posterior. Anyhows I didn't format my memory card so the digital games on it stayed. I could play them but got the message that I couldn't earn any trophies. So basically if you don't mind not earning any trophies you can play games on one account that have been bought on another account.

 

I put my US account on it just to check out the US offerings. Netflix obvs doesn't work here (UK), they must go off IP address or something. Was jealous that the US have Pinball Arcade though. A pinball game on the Vita would be awesome.

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Well, Sony's plan is backfiring in my household. I was ready to buy a Vita today, but as Mr. Veeerules and I would not be able to share it without that kind of ordeal, I won't be buying one. Thanks for the how-to, though! That would be great if I just wanted to lend or gift a Vita..

I wish they would understand that gamer husbands and wives exist, and we want to share a device but compete for trophies!!!

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  • 2 months later...

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