You cannot change your Play Store username directly — it is tied to your Google Account

The username you see in the Google Play Store is not a separate Play Store username. It is the name linked to your Google Account, the same one you use for Gmail, YouTube, and other Google services. To change what appears in the Play Store, you change your Google Account name instead.

This matters because the change affects your entire Google Account across all services, not just the Play Store. If you change your name from "John Smith" to "JS Gaming," that name will appear on your Gmail, YouTube channel, Google Drive, and anywhere else your Google Account is visible.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Play Store name comes from your Google Account name, so you change it in Google Account settings, not in the Play Store app itself.
  • The change takes effect when ready across all Google services — Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, and any other apps linked to that account.
  • You can change your name as often as you want, but Google may flag frequent changes as suspicious activity.
  • If you want a separate gaming username visible only in games, you set that inside individual games, not in the Play Store.

How to change your Google Account name on Android

Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap Google or Accounts (the exact wording varies by phone maker). Tap the Google Account you use for the Play Store.

Tap Manage your Google Account at the top. Go to the Personal info tab. Tap Name and enter your new name in the first and last name fields. Tap Save. The change appears in the Play Store within a few minutes.

How to change your Google Account name on a computer

Go to myaccount.google.com in any web browser. Click Personal info on the left side. Click Name and type your new first and last name. Click Save.

If you are signed out, sign in with your email address and password first. The change takes effect when ready and will show in the Play Store the next time you open it or refresh the app.

What happens to your apps and games when you change your name

Your apps, games, and purchases stay exactly where they are. Changing your account name does not affect your library, your saved games, your payment methods, or anything else. The only thing that changes is the name displayed on your profile and in the Play Store.

If you have published your own apps or games to the Play Store as a developer, your developer name changes too. Any apps you have released will now show the new name as the developer.

If you want a gaming username that is separate from your account name

Many games let you set a display name or username inside the game itself, separate from your Google Account name. This username appears only to other players in that game, not in the Play Store or anywhere else on Google.

To set a gaming username, open the game and look for Settings, Profile, or Account in the menu. Most games have a field for a display name or in-game username. Set it there, and that name will show to other players instead of your Google Account name.

Things to know before you change your name

Google allows you to change your name as often as you want, but changing it very frequently — more than once every few days — may trigger a security warning. Google does this to prevent account takeovers, where someone gains unauthorized access and changes the name repeatedly.

If you change your name and then try to change it again within a short time, Google may ask you to verify your identity by entering a code sent to your recovery email or phone number. This is a normal security check and does not mean anything is wrong.

Your old name does not stay visible anywhere. Once you save the new name, the old one disappears from the Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, and all other Google services.

If you cannot find the name field in Settings

On some Android phones, the path to account settings is different. Try this: Open Settings, tap Accounts and backup or Accounts, then tap Google, then tap your email address, then tap Manage your Google Account. From there, the Personal info tab and Name field should be visible.

If you still cannot find it, the easiest route is to use a computer. Go to myaccount.google.com, sign in, and change your name there. The change will appear on your phone within minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my name affect my Google Play credit or payment method?

No. Your payment methods, purchase history, and any Play Store credit you have stay attached to your account. Changing your name does not touch any of that.

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

Yes, you can change your name back at any time using the same steps. Go to your Google Account settings, click or tap Name, and enter your old name. There is no limit to how many times you can change it, though very frequent changes may trigger a security check.

What if I have multiple Google Accounts?

Each Google Account has its own name. If you use one account for the Play Store and another for email, changing the name in one account does not affect the other. Make sure you are signed into the correct account before you change the name.

Does changing my name change my email address?

No. Your email address stays the same. Only the display name changes. If your email is john.smith@gmail.com, it will still be john.smith@gmail.com after you change your name to "JS Gaming."

Why does the Play Store still show my old name after I changed it?

The Play Store app sometimes takes a few minutes to refresh. Close the app completely and open it again, or sign out and sign back in. If it still shows the old name after an hour, try restarting your phone.