The steps to change your username on SoundCloud's mobile app

Open the SoundCloud app on your phone and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap "Edit Profile" — it appears as a pencil icon next to your current name. In the username field, delete your old username and type the new one you want. SoundCloud will tell you right away if the name is taken or if it breaks their rules (no special characters except hyphens and underscores). Once you see the green checkmark, tap "Save" at the top of the screen.

The change takes effect when ready. Your old profile URL stops working, but SoundCloud redirects anyone who visits it to your new one for about 30 days. After that, the old URL becomes available for someone else to claim. Your followers, likes, and track history stay with your account — nothing is lost.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to your profile, tap the pencil icon next to your name, and edit the username field directly in the SoundCloud mobile app.
  • SoundCloud shows you when ready whether your new username is available or violates their naming rules.
  • Your old URL redirects to your new one for about 30 days, then becomes available for others to use.
  • All your followers, tracks, likes, and playlists stay attached to your account when you change your username.
  • You can change your username as often as you want, but SoundCloud may rate-limit very frequent changes.

What usernames SoundCloud allows and blocks

SoundCloud accepts letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed — if you want a two-word name, use a hyphen or underscore between them. Usernames are case-insensitive, so "JohnDoe" and "johndoe" are treated as the same name.

SoundCloud blocks usernames that impersonate real people, brands, or celebrities, or that contain slurs and hate speech. If you try to use a name that violates these rules, the app shows an error message and won't let you save. If you're unsure whether a name will work, try it — the worst that happens is SoundCloud tells you no and you pick something else.

If your username is already taken

When you type a username that someone else owns, SoundCloud shows "This username is taken" in red text. You cannot use it. Your options are to add numbers to the end (like "artist92"), use a hyphen or underscore to split it (like "artist-name"), or choose a different name altogether.

If you believe someone is using your real name or brand name without permission, SoundCloud has a trademark and impersonation report form on their help site. You'll need to provide proof that you own the name or brand. SoundCloud reviews these reports but does not may provide they will force a username change — it depends on the evidence and the severity of the impersonation.

Changing your username on desktop versus mobile

The mobile app and the desktop website use the same process: go to your profile, find the edit button, change the username field, and save. On desktop, you click "Edit Profile" instead of tapping it, but the steps are identical. Your change syncs across all devices when ready — if you change it on mobile, it's already changed when you open the desktop site.

Some older Android phones may have a slight delay before the change appears everywhere, but this usually resolves within a few minutes. If you change your username and it doesn't show up on one device after 10 minutes, try logging out and back in.

How often you can change your username

SoundCloud does not publish a hard limit on how many times you can change your username. Most users can change it multiple times per day without hitting any restriction. However, if you change it very frequently — more than once every few hours — SoundCloud may temporarily prevent further changes as a spam safeguard. If this happens, wait a few hours and try again.

There is no fee or penalty for changing your username. You can experiment with different names until you find one you like.

What happens to your old username after you change it

For approximately 30 days after you change your username, anyone who visits your old profile URL will be automatically redirected to your new one. This means old links to your profile still work during that window. After 30 days, SoundCloud releases the old username back into circulation, and someone else can claim it. The old URL no longer redirects — it either shows a "user not found" page or takes visitors to whoever now owns that name.

Your tracks, followers, and playlists are not affected by this redirect expiration. They stay with your account under your new username permanently. The redirect is only for the profile page itself.

Troubleshooting: username change won't save

If you tap "Save" and nothing happens, first check that your new username follows SoundCloud's rules: letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores only, no spaces. If it does, try closing the SoundCloud app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app gets stuck and needs a fresh start.

If the problem persists, make sure you're connected to a stable internet connection — a weak Wi-Fi or mobile signal can prevent the change from going through. Try switching to a different network if you can. If you still can't save after these steps, try changing your username on the SoundCloud website instead of the app. If the website works but the app doesn't, uninstall the SoundCloud app, restart your phone, and reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old username back if I change my mind?

If you change your mind within 30 days, you can change your username back to the old one — SoundCloud still considers it yours during that window. After 30 days, the old username is released to the public, and you cannot reclaim it unless the person who took it gives it up.

Will my followers see my old username or my new one?

Your followers will see your new username everywhere — in their feed, in notifications, and on your profile. SoundCloud updates the display name across all devices when ready. Old links to your profile still work for 30 days and redirect to the new name.

What if I want a username with spaces in it?

SoundCloud does not allow spaces in usernames. Use a hyphen or underscore instead — for example, "my-music" or "my_music". Both are treated as valid alternatives to a space.

Can I change my display name separately from my username?

SoundCloud treats your username and display name as the same thing on mobile. When you edit your username in the profile editor, you're changing both. On desktop, there is a separate "Name" field, but on mobile, the username field is what appears everywhere.

Does changing my username affect my SoundCloud Go subscription?

No. Your subscription, payment method, and account settings stay exactly the same. Only the name that appears on your profile changes.