Open Spotify Settings on Your Computer

Start by opening the Spotify desktop app on your Windows or Mac computer. If you don't have it installed, read it from spotify.com. Log in with your current username and password.

Once you're logged in, look at the top right corner of the window. You'll see a small profile icon — it looks like a circle with your profile picture or initials inside. Click on it to open a dropdown menu.

From that menu, select Account. This takes you to your account settings in a web browser, even though you started in the desktop app. Your browser will open automatically and show your full account page.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Spotify username through the web version of your account, not through the desktop app itself.
  • Your username is different from your display name — the username is what appears in your profile URL and is used to log in.
  • Spotify allows you to change your username once every 30 days, so plan ahead if you want to change it again later.
  • The change takes effect when ready across all devices where you're logged in.

Locate the Username Field in Account Settings

Once the account page loads in your browser, look for a section labeled Username. This is usually near the top of the page, often under a heading like "Account Overview" or "Profile." The username field shows your current login name.

Next to the username field, you should see an Edit button or a pencil icon. Click on it. The field will become editable, and you'll be able to type in a new username.

Before you type, know that Spotify usernames have rules: they must be between 3 and 30 characters long, can contain letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot contain spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods. Spotify will tell you if your choice breaks these rules when you try to save it.

Enter Your New Username and Save

Clear the current username by selecting all the text and deleting it. Type your new username into the field. As you type, Spotify may show you whether that username is already taken — if it is, you'll see a message telling you to choose a different one.

Once you've entered a username that's available, look for a Save or Confirm button near the field. Click it. Spotify will process the change, and you should see a confirmation message saying your username has been updated.

The change is when ready. You don't need to restart the app or log out and back in — your new username is active right away on all your devices.

What Happens to Your Old Username

Your old username becomes available for someone else to use after you change it. Spotify doesn't hold it in reserve for you. If you think you might want to switch back later, keep that in mind — you may not be able to reclaim the exact same name.

Your profile URL also changes. If your old URL was spotify.com/user/oldusername, it will now be spotify.com/user/newusername. Any links to your old profile will no longer work, so if you've shared your Spotify profile link with friends, you'll need to share the new one.

The 30-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Spotify limits username changes to once every 30 days. If you just changed your username, you won't be able to change it again until 30 days have passed from the date of your last change. If you try to edit it before that window closes, the Edit button will be grayed out or disabled.

The system counts from the exact date and time you made the previous change. If you changed your username on March 15 at 2 p.m., you can change it again on April 14 at 2 p.m. or later.

Troubleshooting: Username Won't Save

If you click Save and nothing happens, or you see an error message, the most common reason is that the username you chose is already taken. Try a different combination. You can also add numbers or an underscore to make it unique — for example, if "musiclover" is taken, try "musiclover2024" or "music_lover."

If the field won't let you type at all, make sure you actually clicked the Edit button. Sometimes the button is subtle and straightforward to miss. Refresh the page and try again. If you're still stuck, try logging out of Spotify completely, closing your browser, and logging back in through the desktop app — then return to Account settings.

If you see a message saying you've already changed your username recently, you're within the 30-day window. You'll have to wait until that period expires before you can make another change.

Display Name vs. Username: What's the Difference

Spotify has two separate name fields, and they do different things. Your username is what you use to log in and what appears in your profile URL. Your display name is what your friends see next to your activity — it's the name that shows up when you're listening to music or following playlists.

You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period. If you want to change how your name appears to friends but keep your login username the same, edit the display name instead. Both fields are in your account settings, but only the username has the 30-day restriction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on the Spotify mobile app?

No. The mobile app doesn't have a way to change your username. You must use the desktop app or go to spotify.com in a web browser on any device, then navigate to Account settings. The process is the same on Windows, Mac, or any computer.

What if someone takes my username after I change it?

Once you change your username, the old one becomes available when ready. If you're worried about this, you could create a second Spotify account and claim the old username on that account to keep it. However, Spotify doesn't reserve old usernames, so there's no official way to hold onto one.

Will changing my username affect my playlists or saved songs?

No. Your playlists, saved songs, followers, and all your listening history stay exactly the same. Only the name you use to log in and the URL of your profile change. Everything else on your account remains untouched.

Do I need to update my password when I change my username?

No. Your password stays the same. You'll still log in using your new username and your existing password. Changing the username doesn't reset or affect your password in any way.