You cannot edit your Spotify username after you create it

Spotify does not allow you to change 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 the name you prefer.

This is different from your display name, which you can change anytime. Your display name is what appears on your profile and in playlists you share — your username is the handle that comes after spotify.com/user/ in your profile link. Many people confuse the two because Spotify uses both, but only the display name is editable.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Spotify username cannot be changed once created, but your display name can be edited in your account settings anytime.
  • Your username appears in your profile URL and is permanent; your display name is what shows on playlists and appears to other users.
  • If you need a different username, you must create a new Spotify account and transfer your preferences manually.
  • Changing your display name takes 30 seconds and does not affect your saved music, playlists, or followers.

The difference between username and display name

Your username is a technical identifier that Spotify assigned or you created during signup. It appears in your profile URL — for example, spotify.com/user/marcus_chen_1985. This name is permanent and cannot be changed.

Your display name is what you see on your own profile and what other users see when you share playlists or follow them. You can change this to anything you want, including spaces, capital letters, and special characters. If you have not set a display name, Spotify shows your username instead.

Most people want to change their display name, not their username. If you are looking to change how your name appears to friends, you are in the right place — that takes two minutes. If you need a completely different username in your profile URL, you will need to create a new account.

How to change your display name

Open Spotify on any device and go to your account settings. On a computer, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account". On a phone, tap the home icon, then your profile icon in the top right, then the gear icon for settings.

Look for "Display name" in the settings menu. Click or tap the field, delete the current name, and type the new one you want. Spotify lets you use up to 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation. Click "Save" or confirm the change — it takes effect when ready.

Your new display name will show on your profile, in playlists you create, and next to any songs you save to public playlists. Your followers and friends will see the updated name the next time they view your profile. This change does not affect your saved music, playlists, or any of your account data.

What happens to your username if you do not set a display name

If you never set a display name, Spotify displays your username on your profile and in playlists instead. This is why some profiles show technical-looking names with numbers and underscores — those are usernames, not display names.

Setting a display name does not change your username. Your username stays the same in your profile URL and in Spotify's backend systems. The display name is purely what shows to you and other users on the surface of the app.

Creating a new account if you need a different username

If you must have a different username in your profile URL, you will need to create a separate Spotify account. Sign up with a new email address and choose the username you want during the signup process. You cannot transfer your old account's data — playlists, saved songs, and followers stay with the original account.

Before you create a new account, consider whether changing your display name solves your problem. Most people who think they need a new username actually just need a new display name, which takes 30 seconds and keeps all your music and playlists intact.

If you do create a new account, you can manually recreate important playlists or export your saved songs using a third-party tool. Spotify itself does not offer a way to move playlists or saved music between accounts. You will also lose any followers or collaborative playlists you had on the old account.

Why Spotify locks usernames

Spotify locks usernames because they function as permanent identifiers in the system. Your username is tied to your account history, saved data, and the URLs that point to your profile. Allowing changes would break existing links and create confusion about which account is which.

Display names, by contrast, are just labels that change how your account appears to others. They do not affect the technical structure of your account, so Spotify lets you change them as often as you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username if I paid for Spotify Premium?

No. Spotify does not allow username changes for any account type, whether you use the free version or Premium. Your subscription status does not affect this policy. If you need a different username, you must create a new account.

Will changing my display name affect my playlists or followers?

No. Changing your display name does not touch your playlists, saved songs, or followers. Your account data stays exactly the same — only the name that shows on your profile updates. Existing links to your playlists continue to work.

What if I created my account years ago and do not remember my username?

You can find your username by opening Spotify and going to your profile. Click or tap "Profile" and look at the URL in your browser — everything after spotify.com/user/ is your username. You can also see it in your account settings under "Username".

Can I use a username that someone else already has?

No. Spotify usernames must be unique across all accounts. When you sign up, Spotify checks whether the name you want is already taken. If it is, you will need to choose a different one or add numbers or underscores to make it unique.

If I create a new account with a different username, can I delete my old account?

Yes. You can delete your old Spotify account through your account settings under "Delete account". Be aware that deleting an account is permanent — you cannot recover your playlists, saved songs, or followers. Make sure you have saved anything important before you delete.