Change your username through SoundCloud's account settings

To change your SoundCloud username, log into your account on a web browser, go to your profile settings, find the username field, and save the new name. The process takes about two minutes. You cannot change your username through the SoundCloud mobile app — you must use a computer or tablet with a web browser.

Your username is different from your display name. The username is what appears in your profile URL (soundcloud.com/yourname) and is what people type when they search for you. The display name is what shows on your profile page and can include spaces and special characters. You can change either one, but only the username affects how people find you by link.

Key Takeaways

  • You must use a web browser to change your username — the mobile app does not have this option.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 50 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces.
  • SoundCloud does not let you reserve old usernames, so someone else can claim your previous name after you change it.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, tracks, or playlists — they stay connected to your account.
  • If your desired username is already taken, you will see an error message and must choose a different one.

Step-by-step: accessing your username settings

Start by opening SoundCloud in any web browser and logging in with your email and password. Once you are logged in, look for your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner of the page and click it. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

From that menu, click Settings. This opens your account settings page. On the left side of the page, you will see a navigation menu with options like "Profile," "Account," and "Notifications." Click Profile to access the section where your username lives.

Finding and editing the username field

Once you are on the Profile settings page, scroll down until you see a field labeled Username. This is separate from the "Display Name" field that appears above it. The username field shows your current SoundCloud handle — the name in your profile URL.

Click inside the username field to select it, then delete your current username and type your new one. As you type, SoundCloud will check whether the name is available. If the name is taken, you will see a red error message saying "Username is already taken." If the name is available, the field will show a green checkmark or no error message.

Rules for choosing a new username

SoundCloud usernames must be between 3 and 50 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, periods, or special characters like @, #, or $.

Usernames are case-insensitive, meaning "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are treated as the same username. If you change only the capitalization of your current username, SoundCloud will allow it, but this does not change how people find you. Choose a username that is straightforward to spell and remember, since this is how listeners will search for you and share your profile link.

Saving your new username

After you have typed your new username and confirmed it is available, look for a Save button at the bottom of the Profile settings page. Click it to confirm the change. SoundCloud will update your username when ready, and your profile URL will change to reflect the new name.

Once the change is saved, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim. SoundCloud does not hold old usernames in reserve, so if you ever want to use your previous username again, you would have to wait for someone else to abandon it first. If you are worried about losing your old username, consider whether you want to update any links or social media bios that point to your SoundCloud profile before you make the change.

What stays the same after you change your username

Changing your username does not affect your followers, tracks, playlists, or any of your account data. All of your uploaded music, likes, reposts, and follower count remain exactly as they were. Your followers will still see you as the same artist — their follows are tied to your account, not to your username.

However, any direct links that people have saved or shared will no longer work. If someone bookmarked your old profile URL or shared a link to soundcloud.com/youroldname, that link will return a "not found" error after you change your username. For this reason, if you have a large following or your profile is linked from other websites, you may want to update those links after the change.

Troubleshooting: what to do if your username change does not save

If you click Save and the page does not update, or if you see an error message, try refreshing the page and logging back in. Sometimes a browser cache issue prevents the change from appearing when ready. Close the settings page, wait a few seconds, and return to your Profile settings to check whether the username has actually changed.

If the username field shows an error like "Username is already taken" or "Invalid characters," double-check that your new username follows SoundCloud's rules: 3 to 50 characters, letters and numbers only, no spaces or special characters. If you are certain your username is valid and available, try using a different web browser or clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then log in again and attempt the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Not when ready. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for anyone else to claim. If someone takes it, you cannot use it again unless they abandon it later. If no one has claimed it yet, you can change your username back to the original, but there is no may provide it will still be available.

Does changing my username affect my SoundCloud URL?

Yes. Your SoundCloud profile URL is based on your username, so changing your username changes your URL. Old links to your profile will no longer work. If your profile is linked from your website, social media, or other places, you will need to update those links manually.

Can I use special characters like @ or # in my username?

No. SoundCloud only allows letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores in usernames. Spaces, periods, and special characters like @, #, $, and % are not permitted. If you want a username with multiple words, use hyphens or underscores to separate them, like "john-smith" or "john_smith".

What if I want to change my display name instead of my username?

Your display name is a separate field on the same Profile settings page. The display name can include spaces and special characters and appears on your profile page. You can change it without affecting your username or profile URL. Many artists use their display name for their full name or artist name and keep their username shorter for the URL.

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

The change is usually when ready. Your profile URL, profile page, and username in search results should all update within seconds of clicking Save. If you still see your old username after a few minutes, try refreshing the page or logging out and back in.