You cannot change the username associated with your Apple Music account

Apple Music does not offer a way to change your username after you create it. Your username is tied to your Apple ID, and Apple does not allow you to modify the username portion of an Apple ID once it exists. If you want a different username, you will need to create a new Apple ID with the username you prefer, then transfer your music library and subscription to that account.

This is different from changing your display name, which you can do at any time. Your display name is what appears to other users when you share playlists or collaborate on music. Your username is the account identifier itself — the name you use to sign in.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Apple Music username comes from your Apple ID and cannot be changed once created.
  • You can change your display name (the name others see) without creating a new account.
  • Creating a new Apple ID with a different username requires transferring your subscription and rebuilding your library.
  • Before creating a new account, back up your playlists and check whether your current subscription will transfer.

The difference between username and display name

Apple Music uses two separate names for your account. Your username is the account identifier — usually an email address or the handle you chose when you created your Apple ID. This is what you type when you sign in to Apple Music on any device. Your display name is the name that shows up when you share a playlist, collaborate with friends, or appear in someone else's followers list.

You can change your display name in Settings on any Apple device. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, select Name, Phone, Email, then edit the name field. This change takes effect when ready across all your Apple Music activity. Changing your display name does not affect your username or your ability to sign in.

Why Apple does not allow username changes

Apple ties your username to your Apple ID because the username is the core identifier for your entire Apple ecosystem — not just Music. Your Apple ID controls your iCloud storage, your App Store purchases, your device backups, and your payment methods. Changing the username would require Apple to update that identifier across all these systems simultaneously, which creates technical and security complications.

Additionally, your username may be linked to shared family accounts, shared playlists, or other users' contact lists. Changing it retroactively could break those connections. Rather than manage all these dependencies, Apple chose to make usernames permanent.

Creating a new Apple ID if you want a different username

If you strongly prefer a different username, you can create a new Apple ID. Visit appleid.apple.com in a web browser, click Create Your Apple ID, and follow the prompts. You will choose a new email address or phone number as your username. Use an email address you control — you will need to verify it before the account is active.

Once your new Apple ID is created and verified, you can sign into Apple Music with it on your devices. However, your music library, playlists, and subscription do not automatically move to the new account. You will need to manually recreate your playlists or export them if your music app supports it. Your Apple Music subscription is tied to your original Apple ID, so you may need to purchase a new subscription under the new account, depending on your subscription type.

Transferring your music library to a new account

Before you create a new Apple ID, take screenshots or write down the names of your playlists and saved albums. On an iPhone or iPad, open the Music app, go to the Library tab, and take note of what you have saved. On a Mac, open Music, click Library in the sidebar, and review your playlists.

If you use a Mac, you can export playlists as files. Open Music, right-click a playlist, select Export, and save it as an .m3u file. You can then import that file into your new account's Music app. On iPhone and iPad, there is no built-in export feature, so you will need to recreate playlists manually or use a third-party tool designed for this purpose.

Your Apple Music subscription itself is tied to your original Apple ID. If you want to continue your subscription on a new account, you will need to cancel the old subscription and purchase a new one under the new Apple ID. Family plans complicate this further — if you are part of a family sharing group, leaving that group and creating a new account may affect access for other family members.

Changing your email address without creating a new account

If your username is an email address and you want to use a different email, you have another option: change the email address associated with your existing Apple ID without creating a new account. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in with your current credentials, select Account, then Emails and Phone Numbers. You can add a new email address and set it as your primary contact email.

This does not change your username for sign-in purposes — you can still sign in with your original email or phone number. However, it updates the email address Apple uses to contact you and the address you can use to recover your account. This is often a simpler solution than creating a new Apple ID if your main concern is updating your contact information.

What happens to your old account

If you create a new Apple ID and stop using your old one, your old account remains active unless you delete it. Your old playlists, saved music, and subscription history stay on that account. You can reactivate it at any time by signing in with the original username and password.

Deleting an Apple ID is permanent and requires you to have no active subscriptions, no outstanding balances, and no content you want to keep. Apple will walk you through the deletion process on their website. If you think you might want to return to your old account later, it is safer to straightforward stop using it rather than delete it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different email address to sign into Apple Music?

No, you sign in with your Apple ID username, which is fixed. However, you can add multiple email addresses to your Apple ID account and use any of them to sign in. Go to appleid.apple.com, select Emails and Phone Numbers, and add a new email. You can then use either email to sign in.

Will my playlists move to a new Apple ID automatically?

No. Your playlists are stored on your original Apple ID. If you create a new Apple ID, you will need to recreate them manually or export them as files if your device supports it. Shared playlists may not transfer at all.

What if I forgot my Apple Music username?

Your username is your Apple ID, which is usually an email address or phone number. Go to appleid.apple.com and click Forgot Apple ID or password. Enter your name, email, or phone number, and Apple will help you recover your account and confirm your username.

Does changing my display name affect my username?

No. Your display name is what other users see on playlists and profiles. Your username remains the same and is only used for signing in. You can change your display name as often as you want without affecting your account.

Can I merge two Apple IDs?

No, Apple does not offer a way to merge two separate Apple IDs. If you have music on two different accounts, you will need to choose which one to keep and manually recreate content from the other.