You cannot change your Apple Music username directly

Apple Music does not have a separate username field the way some streaming services do. Your Apple Music profile uses your Apple ID — the email address and password you use to sign in — and that is what appears to other users. If you want a different name to show on your profile, you change your Apple ID name itself, not a "username" setting within the app.

This matters because your Apple ID controls everything: your music library, your playlists, your purchases, and your account across all Apple services. Changing it affects your entire Apple ecosystem, not just music. The process is straightforward, but you need to do it in the right place.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Music shows your Apple ID name on your profile, so changing your display name means updating your Apple ID name in account settings.
  • You change your Apple ID name through Settings on your device or through appleid.apple.com, not within the Apple Music app itself.
  • Your Apple ID email address (the login) stays the same — only the display name changes.
  • The change takes effect when ready across all Apple services where your name appears.

Change your name on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. This takes you to your Apple ID account page. Tap Name, Phone Numbers, Email to edit your profile information.

Tap the name field and type the new name you want to display. You can use your first name only, a nickname, or any combination — Apple does not restrict what you enter here. Tap Done when you finish. The system asks you to verify the change by entering your Apple ID password. Once you do, the new name appears on your Apple Music profile within seconds.

Change your name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Click your name in the sidebar, then click Name, Phone Numbers, Email.

Edit the name field with your new display name and click Done. You will be asked to confirm with your Apple ID password. The change syncs to your Apple Music profile and all other Apple services on your Mac and linked devices.

Change your name on the web

Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID email and password. Click Personal Information in the left menu. You will see your current name displayed in the top section.

Click Edit next to your name. Type the new name you want and click Save. The system may ask you to verify the change through a code sent to your trusted phone number or email. Once verified, your new name appears on your Apple Music profile and everywhere else your Apple ID name is shown.

What changes and what stays the same

Your Apple ID email address — the one you use to log in — does not change. Only the display name changes. This means you still sign into Apple Music with the same email and password you always used.

The new name appears on your public profile in Apple Music, in your Siri requests, on shared playlists, and anywhere else Apple displays your account name. Friends who follow you will see the updated name. Your music library, playlists, and purchase history remain exactly as they were.

If you want to change your Apple ID email instead

Changing your email address is different from changing your display name and requires more steps. You can change the email you use to sign in through appleid.apple.com under Account, but Apple requires you to have access to both your current email and the new email you want to use. The process involves verification codes and can take a few days to complete.

For most people who just want a different name on their profile, changing the display name (as described above) is what you need. Only change your email address if you actually want to sign in with a different email going forward.

Troubleshooting: the change is not showing up

If you changed your name but it is still showing the old one on Apple Music, try signing out and back in. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. Sign back in with your Apple ID. On Mac, go to System Settings, click your name, scroll down, and click Sign Out.

If the old name persists after signing out and back in, the change may not have synced yet. Wait a few minutes and refresh the app. If it still does not update after an hour, restart your device. Changes almost always appear within minutes, but network delays can occasionally cause a short lag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Apple ID name affect my other Apple services?

Yes. Your Apple ID name appears across iCloud, the App Store, FaceTime, Messages, and any other Apple service linked to that account. The change takes effect everywhere at once. If you only want to change how your name appears in Apple Music, you still have to change your Apple ID name — there is no separate music-only setting.

Can I use a fake name or nickname on Apple Music?

Yes. Apple does not verify that the name you enter is your real name. You can use a nickname, a single name, initials, or any text you want. The only limits are character length and that you cannot leave the field blank.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password?

You can reset it at iforgot.apple.com. Enter your Apple ID email address and follow the verification steps. Apple will send a code to your trusted phone number or email. Once you verify, you can create a new password and then proceed to change your display name.

Does changing my name affect my music library or playlists?

No. Your library, playlists, saved songs, and listening history stay exactly the same. Only the name displayed on your profile changes. All your music and data remain tied to your Apple ID.