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 icon in the top right corner — it's usually a small circle with your name or a default image.

From the dropdown menu, select Account. This takes you to your account overview page. Look for a section labeled Username or Profile — the exact wording depends on whether you're on Spotify's main site or the account settings page. You'll see your current username displayed here, along with an Edit button or pencil icon next to it.

Key Takeaways

  • You must use a web browser to change your username — the mobile app does not have this option.
  • Your username must be between 3 and 30 characters and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
  • Spotify does not allow spaces or special characters like hyphens, periods, or @ symbols in usernames.
  • After you change your username, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim within a few days.

The three steps to edit your username

Step 1: Click Edit next to your current username. A text field will appear showing your existing username highlighted. Delete the old name and type your new one. Spotify will show you in real time whether the name is available — if it is, a green checkmark appears next to it. If it's taken, you'll see a red X and a message saying the username is unavailable.

Step 2: Make sure your new username follows Spotify's rules. It must be 3 to 30 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers 0–9, and underscores. Spotify does not allow spaces, hyphens, periods, @ symbols, or any other special characters. If you try to use a forbidden character, Spotify will not let you save the change.

Step 3: Click Save or Confirm. The button label varies slightly depending on your browser and Spotify's current interface, but it's always near the text field you just edited. Once you click it, your new username takes effect when ready. Your profile, playlists, and follower list all stay the same — only the name changes.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, Spotify does not delete the old one right away. Instead, it becomes unavailable for a few days — usually between 3 and 7 days, though Spotify does not publish an exact timeline. After that window closes, anyone can claim the old username. If you want to keep it reserved, you'll need to change back to it before that period ends.

Your old username does not affect your account security or your followers. People who follow you will still see your new username, and their follow connections stay intact. If you shared a link to your profile with the old username in it, that link will still work and redirect to your new profile.

Usernames versus display names

Spotify has two separate name fields, and many people confuse them. Your username is what you just edited — it's the unique identifier that appears in your profile URL and in links people share. Your display name is what shows up next to your playlists and in the app when you follow someone or create a collaborative playlist.

You can change your display name separately from your username, and display names have fewer restrictions — you can use spaces, special characters, and emojis. To change your display name, go back to your account settings and look for a field labeled Display Name or Profile Name. This change takes effect when ready and does not affect your username or profile URL.

Troubleshooting: username won't save

If you click Save and nothing happens, or you see an error message, the most common reason is that Spotify is not recognizing a character you typed. Copy your new username and paste it into a plain text editor to check for hidden spaces, accented letters, or characters that look like allowed ones but are not. Hyphens and periods are the most common culprits — they look similar to underscores but Spotify does not accept them.

If the username is available but still won't save, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then log back in. If you're using an older browser, update it or try a different one. Spotify's account settings work best in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If the problem persists after trying these steps, contact Spotify Support through the Help section of your account settings.

How your username appears to other people

Your username shows up in your profile URL — the link that looks like open.spotify.com/user/yourusername. When someone visits your profile or you share a playlist you created, they see this URL. Your username also appears in your profile card when someone clicks on your name in the app or on the web.

Your followers see your display name more often than your username in their daily use of Spotify. When you follow someone, create a collaborative playlist, or leave a comment on a playlist, your display name is what appears. The username is mostly visible when someone visits your full profile or clicks through to see your public playlists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes. Spotify does not limit how many times you can change your username. However, after you change it, your old username becomes unavailable for a few days before anyone else can claim it. If you change your username frequently, keep track of which names you want to keep reserved.

Will changing my username affect my playlists or followers?

No. Your playlists, saved songs, followers, and all your account data stay exactly the same. Only the name that appears in your profile changes. People who follow you will still follow your new username automatically.

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

No. Spotify only allows letters, numbers, and underscores. Hyphens, periods, spaces, and all other special characters are not permitted. If you want a name with those characters, use your display name instead, which has fewer restrictions.

What if the username I want is already taken?

You'll need to choose a different one. Spotify shows you when ready whether a name is available as you type. Try adding numbers or underscores to make your preferred name unique — for example, if "jane_music" is taken, you could use "jane_music_2024" or "jane_music_official".

Do I need to change my password after changing my username?

No. Your username and password are separate. Changing your username does not affect your login credentials or your account security. You still log in with your email address and password, not your username.