Change your Netflix username from your account settings
To change your Netflix username, sign in to your account on a web browser, go to your account settings, find the profile you want to edit, and select a new username. Netflix lets you change the username tied to any profile on your account — the main profile or any sub-profiles you've created for family members or guests. The change takes effect when ready across all devices.
You cannot change your username through the Netflix app on a phone, tablet, or TV. You must use a computer or tablet web browser. If you're on a phone, open Netflix in Safari or Chrome rather than the app, or switch to a computer.
The username is different from your email address. Your email is what you use to log in; your username is the name that appears on your profile and in your viewing history. Changing one does not change the other.
Key Takeaways
- You must use a web browser on a computer or tablet — the Netflix app does not have a username-change option.
- Netflix usernames can be up to 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, spaces, and some special characters, but not symbols like @ or #.
- The change appears on all devices within a few minutes, and your watch history and saved titles stay with the profile.
- If you share your account with others, changing a profile's username affects only that profile, not the main account or other profiles.
Step-by-step: changing your username on a computer
Start by opening Netflix in a web browser and signing in with your email and password. Once you're logged in, look for your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen — it's usually a small circle with your profile picture or initial. Click it to open a dropdown menu.
From the dropdown, select "Account" or "Manage profiles" depending on which option appears. If you see "Manage profiles," click it. If you see "Account," click that and then look for a "Profiles" or "Manage profiles" section on the account page. You'll see a list of all profiles on your account, including the main profile and any sub-profiles.
Click the profile you want to edit. A settings panel will open showing the profile name, maturity rating, and other options. Look for a pencil icon or "Edit profile" button next to the username. Click it to enter edit mode. The username field will become active and you can type a new one.
Type your new username — up to 32 characters — and then click "Save" or "Done." Netflix will confirm the change. You're finished. The new username will show on all devices within a few minutes.
What characters and lengths Netflix allows
Netflix usernames can be up to 32 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, spaces, hyphens, underscores, and periods. You cannot use symbols like @, #, $, %, or &. If you try to use a forbidden character, Netflix will show an error message telling you which characters are not allowed.
Netflix does not check whether a username is already taken by another user — multiple people can have the same username because each profile is tied to a specific account. You can reuse a username you've used before on the same account or a different account.
If you want to use spaces in your username, type them normally — Netflix will keep them. For example, "Sarah's Watchlist" is a valid username. Avoid leading or trailing spaces, as Netflix may trim them automatically.
How the change affects shared accounts and family members
If you share your Netflix account with family members or roommates, each person typically has their own profile. Changing one profile's username does not change any other profile's username or affect the main account email address. Only the profile you edited will show the new username.
If someone else on your account has set up a sub-profile for themselves, they can change their own profile's username by following the same steps — they just need to sign in to Netflix on a web browser and edit their own profile. They cannot edit another person's profile username unless they have access to the main account.
Your watch history, saved titles, and viewing preferences stay with the profile after you change the username. Changing the name does not reset your recommendations or delete anything you've saved.
Troubleshooting: username change not working
If you see an error message when you try to save a new username, check that you're not using forbidden characters like @, #, or $. Delete those and try again with only letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, underscores, or periods.
If the page won't let you click "Save" or the button appears grayed out, make sure you've actually typed something different from the current username. Netflix won't save a username that's identical to the one already in use. Also check that you're using a supported web browser — Netflix works best in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
If the change saved but you still see the old username on your devices, wait a few minutes and then sign out and sign back in. The profile should refresh and show the new username. If it still doesn't appear after 10 minutes, try clearing your browser's cache or signing in on a different device to confirm the change went through.
Changing your email address instead of your username
If you want to change the email address you use to log in to Netflix — not the profile username — that's a different process. Go to your account settings, find "Email" or "Login email," and select "Change email." Netflix will send a confirmation link to your current email address. Click the link, then enter your new email and password to confirm.
Changing your login email does not change any profile usernames. The email is tied to your account; the username is tied to individual profiles. You can have one email and multiple profiles with different usernames.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username on the Netflix app?
No. The Netflix app on phones, tablets, and smart TVs does not have a username-change option. You must use a web browser on a computer or tablet. Open Netflix in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, sign in, and follow the steps in your account settings.
Will changing my username affect my watch history or saved shows?
No. Your watch history, saved titles, ratings, and recommendations all stay with the profile. Changing the username is purely cosmetic — it only changes the name that appears on your profile and in your viewing history.
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes. You can change your username as many times as you want. There's no limit on how often you can edit it, and you can reuse old usernames. Just follow the same steps and type the username you want.
What if someone else on my account changed their profile username without asking?
Only the person with access to the main account email can change the main profile's username. Sub-profiles can be edited by anyone who knows the account password. If you're concerned about unauthorized changes, consider changing your Netflix password and reviewing who has access to your account.
Does Netflix have a username length limit?
Yes, usernames can be up to 32 characters. If you try to type more than 32 characters, Netflix will stop accepting input. Keep usernames shorter if you want them to display fully on smaller screens like phones or tablets.