You cannot change your username in Subway Surfers after you create it

Subway Surfers does not have a built-in feature to change your username once you have set it. The name you choose when you first start the game is permanent. If you want a different username, you will need to start a new game with a fresh account.

This is different from some other mobile games that let you rename your character for free or for in-game currency. Subway Surfers treats your username as part of your account identity, tied to your progress, coins, and leaderboard position. Changing it would require the developers to rebuild how accounts work, which they have not done.

Key Takeaways

  • Subway Surfers does not offer a rename feature, so your username is locked in when you create your account.
  • Starting a new game is the only way to get a different username, and you will lose all progress, coins, and characters from your old account.
  • Your username appears on the leaderboard and in multiplayer matches, so choose carefully before you start playing.
  • Some players link their account to Facebook or Google Play Games, but this does not change the username — it only backs up your progress.

Why Subway Surfers locks your username

Mobile games use usernames to track your rank on leaderboards and to identify you in multiplayer modes. Subway Surfers shows your name when you compete against other players in weekly challenges and on global high-score lists. If the game let you change your name whenever you wanted, players could rename themselves to hide their identity or to impersonate others on the leaderboard.

Locking the username also keeps the game's database simpler. Every coin you earn, every character you unlock, and every run you complete is tied to that one name. Changing it would require the developers to update thousands of records. For a game as large as Subway Surfers, with millions of active players, that kind of change is not worth the engineering cost.

Starting a new game with a different username

If you decide you want a new username, you will need to create a fresh account. On most devices, this means uninstalling Subway Surfers and reinstalling it, then choosing a new name when the game asks you to set up your profile. Your old account will still exist if you log back in with the same Facebook or Google Play Games account, but you will start from zero coins and zero characters.

Before you uninstall, write down any information you want to remember about your old account — your high score, the characters you owned, or anything else that mattered to you. Once you start a new game, that progress is separate and you cannot merge the two accounts together.

Linking your account to Facebook or Google Play Games

Subway Surfers lets you link your account to Facebook or Google Play Games. This backs up your progress so that if you switch phones or reinstall the game, you can log back in and keep your coins and characters. However, linking your account does not change your username. Your name stays exactly as you typed it when you first played.

Linking is useful if you want to protect your progress, but it will not solve the problem of a username you do not like. You still have to start a new game to get a new name.

Choosing your username before you start

Since you cannot change your username later, take a moment to think about what you want to be called before you launch the game for the first time. Your username will appear on leaderboards, in multiplayer challenges, and in any screenshots or videos you share. Pick something you will be happy with for as long as you play.

Avoid usernames that include personal information like your real name, birth year, or location. Subway Surfers is played by millions of people worldwide, and your name is visible to other players. Keep it straightforward, memorable, and something you would not mind seeing on a public leaderboard.

What happens to your old account if you start over

Your old account does not disappear when you create a new one. If you log back in with the same Facebook or Google Play Games account, you will see all your old progress, coins, and characters exactly as you left them. You can switch between accounts by logging out and logging back in with different credentials.

This means you can keep your old account and start a new one at the same time. Some players do this to experiment with different strategies or to have a second leaderboard entry. Just remember that you are playing two separate games, and progress in one does not carry over to the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename my character instead of my username?

No. In Subway Surfers, your username and your character are the same thing. The name you choose at the start is your account name, and it cannot be changed. You can unlock different character skins as you play, but the name stays the same.

Will I lose my coins and characters if I start a new game?

Yes. A new game means a new account, and new accounts start with zero coins and zero characters. Your old account keeps everything you earned, but you cannot transfer coins or characters between accounts.

Does linking to Facebook change my username?

No. Linking to Facebook or Google Play Games only backs up your progress. Your username remains exactly as you set it when you first created your account. Linking does not rename you.

Can I delete my old account and create a new one with the same email?

You can create a new account with a different username, but deleting your old account is not necessary. You can have both accounts active at the same time by logging in and out with different credentials. Subway Surfers does not prevent you from having multiple accounts.