Where to find your username settings

Your Spotify username lives in your account settings, not in the app itself. Open a web browser and go to www.spotify.com, then sign in with your email and password. Once you're logged in, click your profile name in the top right corner and select Account from the dropdown menu.

You'll land on your account overview page. Look for the section labeled Username — it's usually near the top, below your display name. This is where you'll see your current username and the option to change it.

Key Takeaways

  • You must change your username through the Spotify website, not through the mobile app or desktop client.
  • Your username is different from your display name — the display name is what friends see, while the username is your unique identifier.
  • Spotify allows you to change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you confirm the change.
  • After you change your username, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim when ready.

The step-by-step process

Once you're in your Account settings and can see the Username section, click the Edit button next to your current username. A text field will appear where you can type your new username.

Spotify usernames must be between 3 and 30 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols. Type your new username and Spotify will tell you when ready whether it's available — if someone else already has it, you'll see a red message saying the username is taken.

Once you've found an available username you like, click Save or Confirm (the button label varies slightly). The change takes effect right away. Your friends will see your new username on your profile, and any Spotify links that included your old username will no longer work.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, the old one is released back into the pool of available usernames. This means someone else can claim it within seconds if they want it. There's no way to reserve it or get it back later, so if you think you might want to use it again someday, you should not change it.

Any profile links or Spotify URIs that pointed to your old username will break. If you've shared your Spotify profile link with friends or posted it online, they won't be able to reach your profile using the old link. You'll need to share your new profile link instead.

The 30-day waiting period

Spotify limits username changes to once every 30 days. This means if you change your username today, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The timer resets from the date you made the change, not from a calendar month.

If you change your username and then realize you made a mistake, you'll have to wait the full 30 days before you can change it again. This is why it's worth taking a moment to make sure you're happy with your new username before you hit save.

Difference between username and display name

Spotify has two separate name fields, and many people confuse them. Your display name is what your friends see on their screens — it's the friendly name that appears next to your profile picture. Your username is your unique identifier, used in profile links and Spotify URIs.

You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period. If you just want to change how your name appears to friends, you don't need to touch your username at all. Display name changes are also made in Account settings, but in a different section labeled Profile.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message saying you cannot change your username, the most common reason is that you've already changed it within the last 30 days. Check the date of your last change — if it was fewer than 30 days ago, you'll need to wait until that period passes.

If the username you want is showing as taken, try variations with numbers or underscores. Usernames are case-insensitive, so "JamesRodriguez" and "jamesrodriguez" are treated as the same username. If you're getting an error message when you try to save, try refreshing the page and signing in again — sometimes a browser cache issue can block the change from going through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on the Spotify app?

No, username changes are only available through the Spotify website. Open a web browser, sign into your account at spotify.com, and go to Account settings to make the change. The mobile and desktop apps don't have this option.

What if someone takes my old username after I change it?

Once you change your username, the old one becomes available when ready and you cannot reclaim it. If someone else takes it, you would need to contact Spotify support, though they typically do not reassign usernames that have been claimed by another user.

Do my friends need to update their contacts after I change my username?

Your friends will see your new username on your profile automatically. However, if they saved your old profile link as a bookmark or shared it with others, that link will no longer work. You should share your new profile link if you want them to have the updated version.

Can I use special characters like dots or hyphens in my username?

No, Spotify usernames can only contain letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other special characters are not allowed. If you want to separate words, use underscores instead.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your new username takes effect when ready after you save it. It will appear on your profile right away, and your friends will see it the next time they look at your profile or interact with you on Spotify.