Last.fm lets you change your username once every 30 days through your account settings

Last.fm is a music-tracking service that records what you listen to and builds a profile around your taste. Your username is the public name other users see when they visit your profile or check what you're listening to in real time. You can change it from your account settings page, but Last.fm enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes — so you can only do this once a month.

The process takes about two minutes and doesn't require you to create a new account or lose your listening history. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so if you want to reclaim it later, you'll have to wait for it to cycle back into the available pool.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Last.fm username from the Settings page under your account, but only once every 30 days.
  • Your listening history, scrobbles (tracked plays), and friends list stay with your account after you change your username.
  • The old username becomes available for other users to claim when ready after you change it.
  • If you forget your password, you'll need to reset it through the email address tied to your account before you can access settings.

Steps to change your username on Last.fm

Log into your Last.fm account on a web browser. Go to your profile by clicking your username in the top right corner, then select Settings from the dropdown menu. On the Settings page, look for the Account tab on the left side.

Under the Account tab, scroll down until you see the Change username option. Click it. Enter your new username in the text field — Last.fm will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or if it contains characters that aren't allowed. Usernames can be 2 to 20 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces. Once you've entered a name that's available, click Change username to confirm.

Last.fm will show you a confirmation message with your new username. You're logged in under the new name right away. If you try to change it again within 30 days, you'll see a message telling you when you can make the next change.

What happens to your profile and listening history

Your listening history, scrobbles, friends, and all other account data stay exactly the same. The only thing that changes is the name people see. If you had a public profile before, it remains public under your new username. If your profile was private, it stays private. Any playlists you created, your top artists and tracks, and your year-end statistics all follow you to the new username.

People who had you added as a friend will still see you on their friends list, but your name will now show as your new username. If you had a custom profile URL (like last.fm/user/youroldname), that old URL will stop working once you change your username. The new URL will be last.fm/user/yournewname.

If you can't remember your password

You need to be logged in to reach the Settings page, so if you've forgotten your password, you'll have to reset it first. Go to the Last.fm login page and click Forgot your password? Enter the email address associated with your account. Last.fm will send you a password reset link to that email.

Click the link in the email, create a new password, and log back in. Then follow the steps above to change your username. If you don't have access to the email address tied to your account, you won't be able to reset your password through the normal route — you'll need to contact Last.fm support directly through their website.

Reasons to change your username

People change their Last.fm username for different reasons. You might want something shorter, easier to spell, or less tied to an old online identity. Some users change it to match a username they use on other music platforms or social media. Others change it because they want a fresh start or because their old username no longer reflects who they are.

The 30-day limit exists to prevent spam and account takeover attempts. It also keeps the system from getting cluttered with rapid username changes. If you're thinking about changing your username, it's worth spending a moment on the new one — you'll be stuck with it for at least a month.

What to do if your new username is already taken

Last.fm tells you in real time whether a username is available as you type it. If the name you want is taken, you'll see a message saying so. You have a few options: try a slight variation (add a number, use an underscore, shorten it), wait to see if the person using it ever becomes inactive, or pick a different name altogether.

Last.fm doesn't have a public list of inactive accounts or a way to request a username from someone else. If a username has been inactive for years, there's no automatic process to free it up. Your best bet is to choose a name that's available now rather than waiting for one that isn't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Last.fm enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. Once you change your username, you won't be able to change it again until 30 days have passed. The system will show you the exact date when you can make your next change.

Will my friends still see me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list stays the same, and people who follow you will still see your profile — it will just show your new username. Your listening history and scrobbles are tied to your account, not your username, so everything transfers over.

Can I get my old username back?

Only if no one else claims it. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for other users. If someone takes it, you can't reclaim it. If it stays unclaimed, you could change your username back to it after waiting 30 days, but there's no may provide it will still be free.

What characters are allowed in a Last.fm username?

Usernames can be 2 to 20 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like @, #, or ! are not allowed. Last.fm will let you know if your chosen name contains invalid characters.

Do I need to update my username on other apps or websites?

If you use Last.fm on other platforms — like Spotify, Apple Music, or gaming apps — those connections are tied to your Last.fm account, not your username. You don't need to update anything elsewhere. However, if you've shared your Last.fm profile link with people, you may want to let them know your new username so they can find you.