Where to find your account name and what you can actually change
Your Spotify account name is the display name that appears to other users when you share playlists or show up in their followers list. You can change it anytime through your account settings on any device — phone, tablet, or computer. The steps are the same whether you use the free or paid version.
Spotify distinguishes between your account name (what people see) and your username (what you use to log in). You can change your account name as often as you want, but your username is permanent and cannot be changed after you create it. If you need a different username, you would have to create a new account entirely.
The account name is separate from your email address. Changing your display name does not change how you log in or receive account notifications from Spotify.
Key Takeaways
- Your account name is the display name others see; your username is what you log in with and cannot be changed.
- You can change your account name on the web, mobile app, or desktop app using the same steps in each location.
- The change takes effect when ready across all devices where you are logged in.
- Your account name can be up to 30 characters and can include spaces, numbers, and most punctuation marks.
- Changing your account name does not affect your playlists, saved songs, followers, or listening history.
Changing your name on the Spotify web player
Open Spotify in your web browser and log in if you are not already. Click your profile icon in the top right corner — it is a small circle with either your current profile picture or a generic user icon. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.
Select Account from the dropdown. This takes you to your account overview page. Look for the section labeled Profile near the top of the page. You will see your current display name listed there.
Click the Edit profile button next to your name. A text field will become active and you can now type your new name. Delete the old name completely and enter what you want to be called. When you are finished typing, click Save profile or press Enter on your keyboard. The change is when ready.
Changing your name on the Spotify mobile app
Open the Spotify app on your phone or tablet and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. On some versions, this icon appears in the top right instead. You will see your profile page with your current display name at the top.
Look for a settings icon — usually a gear symbol or three horizontal lines (a menu icon) — and tap it. This opens your account settings. Scroll down until you find Profile or Edit profile. Tap that option.
You will see a text field with your current name. Tap the field to select it, delete the existing text, and type your new name. Tap Save or Done depending on your device and app version. The change saves when ready and you will see your new name reflected on your profile.
Changing your name on the Spotify desktop app
Launch the Spotify desktop process and log in. In the top right corner, click your profile icon. A menu will drop down with account options. Click Account to go to your account page in your web browser.
From here, follow the same steps as the web player: click Edit profile in the Profile section, type your new name, and click Save profile. The desktop app will reflect the change the next time you restart it or refresh your profile.
What happens when you change your account name
Your new name appears when ready on your profile and in any playlists you share with others. If someone has you in their followers list, they will see your updated name the next time they view your profile or see you interact with music.
Your account name change does not affect your saved songs, playlists, or listening history. All of your music and data stays exactly as it was. People who follow you will continue to follow your account — the name change does not break those connections.
If you have shared a playlist link with someone before you changed your name, the link still works and takes them to the same playlist. The only difference is that your name now appears differently on that playlist.
Limits and restrictions on account names
Spotify allows account names up to 30 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks including hyphens, underscores, periods, and apostrophes. Some special characters like @ or # may not be accepted, but Spotify will tell you if a character is not allowed when you try to save.
You cannot use your account name to impersonate another person or brand. Spotify's terms of service prohibit names that are misleading or intended to deceive other users. If your name violates these rules, Spotify may require you to change it.
There is no limit to how many times you can change your account name. You can change it back and forth as often as you want, though changing it very frequently might confuse people who follow you.
Troubleshooting if your name will not save
If you click save and the name does not change, first check that you are actually logged into your account. Log out completely and log back in, then try again. Sometimes a browser cache issue prevents the change from registering.
If you are using the mobile app, try closing the app completely and reopening it. On a computer, try a different web browser — if it works in Chrome but not Firefox, the issue is likely a browser setting rather than your account.
If the name contains a character that Spotify does not accept, you will usually see an error message telling you which character is the problem. Remove that character and try again. If you see no error message but the change still does not stick, log out, wait a few minutes, and log back in to see if the change went through in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username instead of my account name?
No. Your username is permanent and cannot be changed after you create your account. If you need a different username, you would have to create a new Spotify account. Your account name (display name) can be changed anytime, but your login username cannot.
Will changing my name affect my playlists or followers?
No. Your playlists, saved songs, followers, and listening history all stay the same. Only the name that appears on your profile and in shared playlists changes. People who follow you will continue to follow you under your new name.
How long does it take for my new name to show up everywhere?
The change is when ready on your profile and in new playlists you share. It may take a few minutes to update on other people's screens if they are currently viewing your profile, but it will refresh when they reload the page or close and reopen the app.
Can I use special characters or emojis in my account name?
You can use most punctuation marks like hyphens, underscores, periods, and apostrophes. Emojis and symbols like @ or # typically are not accepted. Spotify will show you an error if you try to use a character that is not allowed.
What if someone else has the account name I want?
Account names on Spotify do not have to be unique — multiple people can have the same display name. You can use any name you want as long as it does not violate Spotify's terms of service by impersonating someone or being misleading.