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 or link your account is permanent. If you want a different username, you will need to create a new game account, which means starting over with a fresh profile and losing your progress, coins, and unlocked characters.
This limitation exists because Subway Surfers ties your username directly to your game save file and any online leaderboards or social features connected to your account. The developers have not added a rename function, so changing your mind after the initial setup requires starting completely fresh.
Key Takeaways
- Subway Surfers does not allow you to change your username after you create your account.
- Creating a new account to get a different username means losing all your progress, coins, characters, and achievements.
- You set your username when you first open the game or when you link your account to Facebook, Google Play, or Game Center.
- Before you create an account, test your chosen username on the platform you plan to use so you do not regret it later.
How usernames are created in Subway Surfers
When you first launch Subway Surfers, the game prompts you to enter a username before you can play. This username becomes your identity on the leaderboards and in any multiplayer or social features. On mobile devices, you can also link your account to Facebook, Google Play Games (Android), or Game Center (iOS), and your username syncs across those platforms.
The username you enter at this first prompt is what sticks with your account. There is no settings menu or profile editor where you can change it later. Once you confirm it and start playing, that name is locked to your save file.
What happens if you create a new account
If you decide you want a different username badly enough to start over, you will need to create a completely separate account. On Android, this means signing into a different Google Play Games account or creating a new one. On iOS, you would need to use a different Game Center account or iCloud account. On PC or web versions, you would need to create a new profile entirely.
When you do this, your old account remains on your device, but the game will treat your new account as a fresh start. You will lose access to all coins, characters you unlocked, power-ups you saved, and your position on any leaderboards. Your score history and achievements do not transfer. This is why most players keep their original username even if they are not thrilled with it.
How to choose your username before you start
Since you cannot change your username later, spend a moment thinking about it before you create your account. Choose something you will not get tired of seeing on your screen and on leaderboards. Avoid usernames that are too similar to ones you use elsewhere if you want to keep your gaming separate from your other online activity.
Test the username on the platform you plan to use first. If you are linking to Facebook, make sure the name works with Facebook's requirements. If you are using Google Play Games, check that the name is available there. This takes two minutes and saves you from the frustration of discovering later that your chosen name does not work or is already taken.
Linking your account to avoid losing progress
Once you have created your account with a username you can live with, link it to a platform account (Facebook, Google Play Games, or Game Center). This protects your progress if you switch devices or reinstall the game. Your username and all your progress stay tied to that linked account.
If you do not link your account and you uninstall the game or switch to a new phone, your progress disappears. Linking takes less than a minute and is the safest way to keep your account find. You can link your account in the game's settings menu under the profile or account section.
Why Subway Surfers does not allow username changes
Most mobile games that do not allow username changes have made that choice to keep their leaderboards and player records clean. If players could change their names whenever they wanted, it would be harder to track who earned which score or achievement. It also prevents players from impersonating others by copying a famous player's name and then changing to something else.
Subway Surfers is designed to be a casual, quick-play game, and the developers have kept the account system straightforward. Adding a rename feature would require backend changes to how the game stores and displays player data. Since the game is free and most players do not worry much about their username, the developers have not prioritized this feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my account and create a new one with the same username?
You can create a new account with a different username, but you cannot reuse your old username on a fresh account. Once a username is created in Subway Surfers, it remains in the system even if you stop playing that account. You will need to choose a new name for any new account you start.
What if I linked my account to Facebook and want to change my name there?
Changing your name on Facebook does not change your Subway Surfers username. Your game username is separate from your Facebook name. If you change your Facebook profile name, your Subway Surfers account keeps its original username.
Can I contact Subway Surfers support to change my username?
Subway Surfers support does not offer username changes as a service. The game's support team can help with account recovery, technical issues, or lost progress, but they cannot rename an existing account. Your best option is to accept your current username or start a new account.
Does my username appear to other players?
Yes, your username appears on leaderboards and in any social features where you compete against other players. It is visible to anyone who views the rankings. This is another reason the developers do not allow changes — your name is part of your public profile in the game.