Spotify does not let you change your username after you create it

Once you pick a username when you sign up for Spotify, that name is locked in. Spotify's system does not include a built-in option to edit or update your username through settings, and customer support cannot change it for you either. If you want a different username, you have to create a new account.

This is different from your display name, which you can change anytime. Your display name is what appears to your friends and on your public profile. Your username is the permanent handle behind the scenes — the one that appears in your Spotify URL and in certain sharing links. Many people confuse the two, so it is worth checking which one you actually want to change before you decide whether to start over.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username cannot be changed once created, but your display name can be edited in settings at any time.
  • If you signed up with Facebook or Apple ID, you may have a username you do not remember or never chose.
  • Creating a new account with a different username means starting your saved music, playlists, and followers from zero.
  • You can keep your old account open and use both accounts at the same time if you want to preserve your listening history.

Check whether you actually need to change your username

Before you decide to create a new account, open Spotify and look at what other people see. Go to your profile by clicking your name in the top right corner, then select "Profile." The URL in your browser shows your actual username — it looks like open.spotify.com/user/[your-username]. That is the permanent part you cannot change.

Below that, you will see a display name field. This is the name that shows up when you share playlists, follow friends, or appear in someone else's follower list. If you only dislike how your name appears to others, you can edit the display name right there without creating a new account. Click the pencil icon next to your display name, type the new one, and save it. This takes seconds and keeps all your music, playlists, and history intact.

Many people who signed up through Facebook or Apple ID never chose a username at all — Spotify assigned one automatically. If you have never seen yours before, that is probably why it looks strange. Check your profile URL first to see what you are actually working with.

What happens to your music and playlists if you create a new account

If you decide you need a different username and create a fresh account, you start completely over. Your new account will have no saved songs, no playlists, no followers, and no listening history. Spotify does not transfer any of this between accounts, and there is no way to merge them later.

Your old account stays active unless you delete it. You can keep both accounts open and use whichever one you want at any time. Some people do this on purpose — they keep their old account with all their history and create a new one for a fresh start. Just remember that your subscription covers one account at a time. If you have a free account, you can use both, but if you pay for Premium, you will need to decide which account to subscribe to, or pay for two separate subscriptions.

Before you create a new account, take screenshots or write down the names of playlists you want to keep. You can recreate them manually in your new account, or you can use a third-party tool that copies playlists between accounts — search for "Spotify playlist transfer" to find current options. These tools are not made by Spotify, so use them at your own risk.

How to create a new Spotify account with a different username

Go to spotify.com and click "Sign Up" in the top right corner. You will see options to sign up with your email, Facebook, Apple ID, or Google account. Choose email if you want full control over the username — the other methods may auto-generate a username you cannot customize.

When you sign up with email, Spotify will ask you to create a username. This is your only chance to pick one. Type the username you want, and Spotify will tell you when ready if it is already taken. If it is, try adding numbers or a short word. Once you confirm the username, it is permanent on that account.

After you finish signing up, you can add your payment method if you want Premium, or start using the free version right away. Your new account is completely separate from your old one.

Keeping your old account while you use a new one

You do not have to delete your old account to use a new one. Both can exist at the same time, and you can log in and out between them whenever you want. This is useful if you want to keep your old listening history and playlists but start fresh with a new username for new content.

If you have a Premium subscription, log out of your old account first, then log into your new account and set up Premium there. Your subscription will move to whichever account you are logged into. You can switch back to your old account anytime, but it will revert to the free version until you switch your subscription back.

If you have a free account, you can use both accounts without any restrictions. Just log out of one and log into the other. Your listening history and recommendations will be separate for each account.

Why Spotify does not allow username changes

Spotify locks usernames because they are used as permanent identifiers in the system. Your username appears in your profile URL, in shared links, and in Spotify's backend database. Changing it would require updating all those connections, and it could break links that other people have shared or saved. Rather than manage that complexity, Spotify decided to make usernames permanent from the start.

This is common among older platforms and services. Many social media sites had the same policy years ago, though some have since added the ability to change usernames. Spotify has not moved in that direction, so the workaround remains creating a new account if you want a different username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my display name without changing my username?

Yes. Your display name is separate and can be changed anytime in your profile settings. Click the pencil icon next to your name and type a new one. This does not affect your username or your account in any way.

What if I forgot my username?

Go to your profile and look at the URL in your browser. It shows your username after open.spotify.com/user/. If you cannot access your account, go to spotify.com, click "Log In," then "Can't log in?" and follow the steps to recover your account using your email address.

Will my friends still see me if I create a new account?

No. Your new account is completely separate, so your old friends will not automatically follow you. You will need to send them your new profile link or search for them and follow them again. Your old account will still exist with your old followers unless you delete it.

Can I transfer my playlists to a new account?

Spotify does not offer a built-in transfer tool, but third-party services can copy playlists between accounts. Search for "Spotify playlist transfer" to find current options. You can also recreate playlists manually by searching for songs in your new account and adding them one by one.

Do I have to pay for two Premium subscriptions if I have two accounts?

Only if you want to use both at the same time. One Premium subscription covers one account. You can switch your subscription between accounts by logging out and logging back in, but only one account can be Premium at a time.