Where to find your username and why you might want to change it

Your Spotify username is the name other people see when you share playlists, send songs, or appear on their followers list. It is different from your display name — the display name is what shows on your account, but the username is the permanent handle in your Spotify URL and in collaborative features. You can change your display name as many times as you want, but your username has stricter rules: Spotify lets you change it once every 30 days, and you cannot reuse an old username or claim one that is already taken.

Most people want to change their username because they created it years ago with a name they no longer like, or because they want it to match a username they use elsewhere. Unlike display names, usernames cannot contain spaces or most special characters, so if your current username looks like "user123456789", changing it to something shorter or more personal can make sharing easier.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Spotify username once every 30 days through your account settings on the web, not through the mobile app.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 30 characters, contain only letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens, and cannot already be in use.
  • Changing your username does not affect your playlists, followers, or saved music — only the handle people see when they look at your profile.
  • If you try to change your username and see an error, wait 30 days from your last change or check that the new name is not already taken by another user.

How to change your username on the web

Open Spotify in a web browser and log in to your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu. You will land on your account overview page, which shows your subscription type, email, and other settings.

Scroll down until you see the "Username" field. Click the edit icon (usually a pencil) next to your current username, or click directly on the username itself. A text box will appear where you can type your new username. Type the name you want — remember it must be 3 to 30 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. No spaces or symbols like periods, commas, or @ signs are allowed.

After you type your new username, Spotify will check in real time whether that name is available. If the name is taken, you will see a red error message saying the username is unavailable. If it is available, the message will turn green. Click the checkmark or "Save" button to confirm the change. Your new username takes effect when ready.

Why you cannot change your username through the mobile app

Spotify's mobile app — whether on iPhone or Android — does not include the username change feature. This is a limitation of the app itself, not a setting you can unlock. The username field appears only in the web version of your account settings.

If you are on your phone and need to change your username, open Spotify in your mobile web browser instead of the app. Go to open.spotify.com, log in, and follow the same steps as above. The mobile web version has the same account settings as the desktop version, including the username editor.

What happens if your username change fails

The most common reason a username change fails is that you have already changed it within the last 30 days. Spotify enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes to prevent abuse. If you see an error message saying you cannot change your username, check when you last changed it. You will have to wait until 30 days have passed since that date.

The second reason is that the username you chose is already taken. Usernames are unique across all Spotify users, so if someone else has claimed the name you want, you cannot use it. Try a variation — add a number, use an underscore, or shorten it. For example, if "alex" is taken, try "alex_music" or "alex2024".

If you see a different error or the page will not load, try clearing your browser cache and logging out and back in. If the problem persists, Spotify's support page on account settings may have updated information, though Spotify does not offer a direct way to contact support about username issues — you would need to use their help community or submit feedback through the app.

How changing your username affects the rest of your account

Changing your username does not delete or alter any of your playlists, saved songs, or listening history. Your followers stay the same, and people who follow you will still see you in their followers list — they will just see your new username instead of the old one. If you have shared a playlist link with someone, that link still works even after you change your username.

Your Spotify URL will update to reflect your new username. If your old URL was spotify.com/user/oldusername, it will become spotify.com/user/newusername. Old links to your profile using the old username may stop working, so if you have shared your profile link publicly (on social media, a website, or elsewhere), you may want to update those links to the new one.

Choosing a username that will not need changing again

Since you can only change your username once every 30 days, it helps to pick one you will be happy with for a while. Avoid usernames based on trends, current year, or temporary interests — something like "spotify2024" or "kpopfan2024" will feel dated quickly. Instead, choose something that reflects who you are more broadly, or use your real name or a nickname you have used for years.

Keep it short if possible. Shorter usernames are easier to share, remember, and type. If your name is common, add a number or underscore rather than making it very long. For example, "sarah_music" is better than "sarahlovesmusicandpodcasts". You can always change your display name (the name shown on your profile) as often as you want, so if you want something longer or more creative there, save that for the display name and keep your username straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on the Spotify app?

No. The username change feature only exists in the web version of Spotify. Open spotify.com in your mobile browser or use a computer to change your username. The mobile app does not have this option.

What if someone took the username I want?

Usernames are first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved. If the name is taken, you cannot use it. Try variations like adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens — for example, "alex" versus "alex_music" or "alex123". You can also check back later in case the account becomes inactive, though Spotify does not publicly state how long inactive accounts keep their usernames.

Will my old Spotify profile link still work after I change my username?

Your profile link will update to your new username, so the old link may not work. If you have shared your profile URL anywhere, update it to the new one. Your followers and playlists are not affected — only the web address changes.

How long do I have to wait between username changes?

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you changed it recently and want to change it again, you will have to wait until 30 days have passed since your last change. Spotify will tell you when you are may be able to access to change it again if you try before the waiting period is over.

Is my username the same as my display name?

No. Your display name is what appears on your profile and in playlists you create — you can change it as often as you want. Your username is the handle in your profile URL and in sharing features — you can only change it once every 30 days. You can have a short username and a longer, more creative display name.