You cannot change your Spotify username after you create it

Spotify does not offer a way to edit the username you chose when you set up your account. Once you pick a username and confirm it, that name is locked in. If you want a different username, you have to create a new Spotify account with a new email address and start over — your playlists, followers, and listening history will not transfer.

This is different from your display name, which you can change anytime. Many people confuse the two because Spotify uses both, and they often look the same. Understanding which one you are looking at — and which one actually matters — saves you from trying to change something that cannot be changed.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Spotify username is permanent and cannot be edited once your account is created, even if you contact Spotify support.
  • Your display name is different from your username and can be changed anytime in your account settings.
  • Other people see your display name on playlists and in their friend lists, not your username.
  • If you need a different username badly enough, you must create a new account with a new email address.

The difference between username and display name

Your username is the unique identifier Spotify assigns to your account. It appears in your profile URL — the web address that points to your account. For example, if your username is "alex_music_2019", your profile URL would be something like spotify.com/user/alex_music_2019. This is what Spotify uses behind the scenes to keep your account separate from everyone else's.

Your display name is what shows up when you share a playlist, follow someone, or appear in someone else's friend list. You set this when you create your account, but you can change it whenever you want. If your display name is "Alex" and your username is "alex_music_2019", other people will see "Alex" — they will not see your username unless they click through to your full profile.

Spotify lets you change your display name because it is just a label. Your username is the actual account identifier, so changing it would break every link, every shared playlist, and every follower connection tied to your old username. That is why they do not allow it.

How to change your display name

Open Spotify on any device and go to your account settings. On the web, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account". On the mobile app, tap the home icon, then your profile picture in the top right, then the settings gear icon. Look for "Display name" — it will show whatever name is currently visible to other users.

Click or tap the display name field and type in whatever you want. Spotify does not restrict what you can use here — you can use spaces, numbers, emoji, or special characters. Save your changes. The new name will show up on your profile and on any playlists you share within a few minutes.

This is the only name-related thing you can actually change on Spotify. If you are looking to change something else about how your account appears, this is probably what you need.

What happens if you really need a different username

If your username is tied to something you no longer want — an old email, a name you no longer use, or just something you regret — your only option is to create a new account. You will need a different email address, because Spotify ties one username to one email.

When you create the new account, you can pick any available username you want. Spotify will check that it is not already taken. Choose carefully, because you will not be able to change it again.

The downside is real: your old account stays separate. Any playlists you made, any followers you have, any saved songs — all of that stays on the old account. You cannot merge accounts or transfer your history. You will have to rebuild your library from scratch on the new account. For most people, this is not worth it, which is why Spotify made usernames permanent in the first place.

Why Spotify locks usernames

Spotify locks usernames because they are the foundation of how the service works behind the scenes. Every playlist you share has a URL with your username in it. Every person who follows you is following that username. Every song you save is saved to that username's account. If Spotify let you change your username, all of those links would break.

Other services handle this differently. Some let you change your username and automatically redirect the old links to the new one. Some let you have multiple usernames pointing to the same account. Spotify chose not to do either of those things, probably because it is simpler to maintain and less likely to cause confusion or errors.

It also means you have to think before you create your account, which Spotify sees as a feature, not a bug. The permanence pushes people to choose something they can live with long-term.

How to find your username if you forgot it

If you cannot remember your username, go to your profile on Spotify's website and look at the URL in your browser's address bar. The part after "spotify.com/user/" is your username. You can also go to your account settings and look for "Username" — it will be displayed there, but you will not be able to edit it.

On the mobile app, tap your profile picture, then tap "View Profile". At the top of the page, you will see your display name. To see your actual username, you need to go to the web version or look at the URL when you share your profile link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Spotify support change my username for me?

No. Spotify support will tell you the same thing: usernames cannot be changed under any circumstances. They will not make exceptions, even if you explain why you want it changed. Your only option is creating a new account.

If I create a new account, can I keep my old playlists?

Not automatically. You would have to manually recreate them or read your old playlists and import them into the new account using a third-party tool. Spotify does not have a built-in transfer feature for this.

Will my followers move to my new account?

No. Your followers are tied to your old username and old account. They will not automatically follow your new account. You would have to tell them your new username and ask them to follow you again.

Can I use the same email address for a new account?

No. Spotify requires a different email address for each account. If you want a new username, you need a new email address to go with it.

Is there any way to keep my listening history if I switch accounts?

Spotify does not offer a way to transfer your listening history between accounts. Your old account will keep its history, but your new account will start fresh. Some third-party tools can export your history as a record, but Spotify itself does not move it.