Have you ever saved a credit card to your PlayStation Network account to make purchasing games and content easier? It’s convenient to have your payment info stored, but what if you need to remove a card and no longer have access to the account password?
Deleting a stored card from your PS4 without knowing the password is possible! In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to securely remove credit card details from your account and tighten up security.
Overview of Removing a PS4 Credit Card Without Password
Here’s a quick overview of the process:
- Reset the PS4 password by resetting the device to factory settings
- Sign into the account and set a new password
- Access the payment settings and delete the card
- Enable two-factor authentication for added security
Resetting your PS4 device allows you to bypass needing the old password. Once logged in, you can remove any cards on file and then enable enhanced account protections.
While a bit involved, this method lets you delete card data without the previous password or needing to contact PlayStation support. Let’s look at the steps in more detail.
Step 1: Reset Your PS4
The first step is completely resetting your PS4 system to factory default settings. This wipes all user data and allows you to sign in freshly without needing the old password.
Here is how to factory reset a PS4:
- Turn off the PS4 by holding the power button for at least 7 seconds
- Unplug all power and HDMI cables from the console
- Wait 2 minutes, then plug the cables back in
- Press and hold the power button until you hear two quick beeps
- Connect the PS4 controller with a USB cable and press the PS button
This will initiate the system initialization process. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset. All user data, saved games, and account info will be erased.
Once finished, you’ll be able to create a new user profile and password without the previous credentials.
Step 2: Sign Into Your PlayStation Account
With your PS4 reset, you can now sign back into your PlayStation Network account.
On the home screen, select the new user option and enter your account email and info. You’ll be able to create a brand new password without needing access to the old one.
If you’ve forgotten the email, you may need to go through PlayStation’s account recovery process first to regain access.
But once signed in with the new password, you’ll have full access to update security settings and payment info.
Step 3: Navigate to Payment Settings
Now it’s time to remove the stored credit card from your account. Go to the payment settings menu:
- From the home screen, select Settings > Account Management
- Choose Wallet > Payment Methods
- Select the card you want to delete and choose Delete
- Confirm deletion of the payment method
This will permanently erase the credit card from your account so it can no longer be charged. Repeat for any other cards you want removed.
Step 4: Enable Two-Factor Authentication
As a final security step after resetting your password, make sure to turn on two-factor authentication:
- In Settings, go to Account Management > Account Information > Security > 2-Step Verification
- Select Enable to turn on two-factor and link a mobile device
With 2FA enabled, you’ll need to enter both your password and a random code sent to your phone when logging into a new PS4. This prevents unauthorized access if your password is compromised.
Alternative Method Using Safe Mode
An alternative to factory resetting your PS4 is using safe mode. Here are the steps:
- Fully power down the PS4 and unplug it for 60 seconds
- Hold the power button until you hear two beeps to launch safe mode
- Connect a controller and select Reset Password from the safe mode menu
- This resets the password and allows you to sign in with a new one
However, safe mode doesn’t delete all user data like a full factory reset. So resetting the full device is more thorough when deleting saved payment information.
Preventing Unauthorized Charges in the Future
To avoid someone adding cards back to your account down the road, make sure to:
- Frequently change your PlayStation password
- Remove unused or old payment methods in your wallet
- Closely monitor bank/CC statements for unauthorized PlayStation charges
- Set a PIN code for purchases on your account
Enabling purchase PINs forces you to enter a code when buying anything through PlayStation. This prevents unauthorized spending if your login is compromised.
You can also remove any payment information saved in your browser or mobile apps linked to the account as an extra precaution.
When to Contact PlayStation Support
If you’re unable to reset your PS4 or sign into your account after resetting, you may need to reach out to PlayStation Support for further help:
- If account recovery fails and you can’t sign in
- If you don’t have physical access to the PS4 to reset it
- If you suspect fraud or your account has been hacked
PlayStation can investigate suspicious activity and permanently disable compromised payment methods for security.
Quick Summary of Removing PS4 Credit Card Without Password
To recap, here are the key steps covered in this guide:
- Factory reset your PS4 to default settings
- Sign into your PSN account and create a new password
- Navigate to payment settings and delete the card
- Turn on two-factor authentication
- Monitor statements for unauthorized charges
With this approach, you can securely remove stored credit cards from your PlayStation account without access to the old password. Just be sure to enable enhanced security protections afterwards!