Where to find your App Store username settings

Your App Store username lives in your account settings, not in the app itself. On an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store app, tap the profile icon in the top right corner (it looks like a circle with your photo or initials), then tap your name at the top of the screen. You'll see "Name" listed — that's your display name, which is what other users see. Below that is your Apple ID, which is the email address you use to sign in.

On a Mac, open the App Store app from your Applications folder. Click the profile icon in the top right, then select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu. Your name and Apple ID appear in the same section. Android users don't have a single "App Store" — Google Play is the default store, and your username there is your Google account name, which you change through Google Account settings rather than through the Play Store app itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Your App Store display name is separate from your Apple ID email address, and you can change the display name without changing your login credentials.
  • On iPhone or iPad, go to your profile icon in the App Store app, tap your name, then select "Name" to edit your display name.
  • Changes to your display name take effect when ready in the App Store and on your profile, but may take a few hours to appear in Game Center or other Apple services.
  • If you want to change your Apple ID email address itself, you'll need to go through Apple Account settings, not the App Store app.
  • Google Play usernames are tied to your Google account and must be changed through Google Account settings on a web browser.

Changing your display name on iPhone and iPad

Tap the profile icon in the bottom right of the App Store app. This opens a menu showing your account information. At the top, you'll see your name displayed — tap on it. A screen appears with an editable "Name" field. Clear the current text and type your new name, then tap "Save" in the top right corner.

The new name shows up when ready in your App Store profile and in reviews you post. However, it may take a few hours to sync across other Apple services like Game Center, FaceTime, or iCloud. If you don't see the change right away in those places, wait a few hours and check again. There's no character limit for display names, but Apple removes names containing offensive language or impersonation.

Changing your display name on Mac

Open the App Store app and click the profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Account Settings" from the menu. Your name appears at the top of the window. Click "Edit" next to your name, type the new name you want, then click "Save".

The change takes effect when ready in the App Store. Like on iPhone and iPad, it may take a few hours to appear in Game Center or other connected services. If you're signed in with Family Sharing, your name change only affects your own account — it doesn't change the family organizer's name or anyone else's.

Changing your Google Play username on Android

Google Play doesn't have a separate username field the way the App Store does. Instead, your Google Play profile uses your Google account name. To change it, you need to go to your Google Account settings through a web browser, not through the Play Store app. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info" on the left, then click "Name" and edit your first and last name.

Your new name appears in Google Play within a few minutes. If you want a different display name just for Google Play (separate from your actual Google account name), you can't do that — Google Play always shows your Google account name. Some apps let you set a separate username within the app itself, but that's different from your Google Play profile name.

The difference between display name and Apple ID

Your display name is what other people see when they look at your profile or read your app reviews. Your Apple ID is the email address you use to sign in to the App Store and other Apple services. You can change your display name without changing your Apple ID, and you should know the difference because changing your Apple ID is more complicated.

If you want to change your Apple ID email address itself, you'll need to go to Settings on your device, tap your name at the top, then select "Name, Phone Numbers, Email." From there you can add a new email address as your Apple ID or change which one is primary. This is a separate process from changing your display name, and it affects your login credentials across all Apple services.

What happens to your old reviews and purchases

When you change your display name, all your past app reviews and ratings stay attached to your account — they just show your new name instead of the old one. Anyone who saw your review under your old name will see the new name if they look at that review again. Your purchase history doesn't change either; apps you bought or downloaded remain in your library under your account.

If you're concerned about privacy, changing your display name won't hide your past activity. It only changes the name displayed next to it. If you want to remove a specific review or hide your activity, you can delete individual reviews from your profile, but that's a separate action from changing your name.

Troubleshooting name changes that don't appear

If you changed your name but it's not showing up in the App Store, first check that you actually tapped "Save" — the most common reason a change doesn't stick is that you edited the field but didn't confirm it. If you did save it, try signing out of the App Store and signing back in. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap "Sign Out," then sign back in with your Apple ID.

If the name still isn't appearing after an hour, the change may be delayed syncing across Apple's servers. Wait a few hours and check again. If it's been more than 24 hours and your name still hasn't changed, contact Apple Support through the Apple Support app or website — there may be a technical issue with your account that requires their help to resolve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username to something someone else is already using?

Yes. Unlike usernames on social media, App Store display names don't have to be unique. Multiple people can have the same display name. If you want a truly unique identifier, you'd need to use a different service or app that requires unique usernames.

Will changing my name affect my subscriptions or in-app purchases?

No. Your subscriptions and purchases are tied to your Apple ID email address, not your display name. Changing your name has no effect on what you've bought, what you're subscribed to, or your ability to use those services.

How often can I change my App Store name?

You can change your display name as often as you want. There's no limit on how many times you can edit it or how frequently you can make changes. However, if Apple detects a pattern of rapid name changes used to evade moderation or impersonate others, they may restrict your account.

What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?

You can change your name back anytime by following the same steps. Go to your profile, tap your name, edit it to your previous name, and save. There's no waiting period or approval process — the change takes effect when ready.

Does changing my App Store name change my name on other Apple services?

Your App Store display name is separate from your name in other services like iCloud, FaceTime, or Apple Music. Changing it in the App Store doesn't automatically change it elsewhere. You'd need to change your name in each service individually if you want them all to match.