Where to find your username settings on the App Store

Your App Store username lives in your account settings, not in the app itself. Open the App Store app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, tap or click the account icon in the top right corner (it looks like a person's silhouette or your profile photo), then tap your name or "Account Settings." From there, you'll see your Apple ID email and a section for your profile information — this is where you manage what other people see when they look at your account.

The exact steps differ slightly between iPhone and Mac, but the principle is the same: you're going into your Apple ID settings through the App Store app itself. Do not try to change it through Settings on your phone — that controls your device login, not your public App Store profile.

Key Takeaways

  • Your App Store username is part of your Apple ID profile and is visible to other users when they view your reviews or see you in their contacts.
  • You change your username by opening the App Store app, tapping your account icon, and selecting "Account Settings" or "Edit Profile."
  • Your username can be any name you choose and does not have to match your real name or your device login.
  • Changes take effect when ready, but may take a few minutes to appear on other people's devices.

Steps to change your username on iPhone or iPad

Open the App Store app and tap the account icon in the top right corner — it's usually a circle with your initials or photo. Tap your name at the top of the menu that appears. You'll see your Apple ID email and your current profile name. Tap "Edit" next to your name or profile picture.

In the edit screen, you'll see a field labeled "Name" or "Your Name." Delete the current text and type the new username you want. Keep in mind that this name will be visible to anyone who sees your App Store reviews or profile. Tap "Save" or "Done" when you're finished. The change is when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up when other people view your profile.

Steps to change your username on Mac

Click the account icon in the top right corner of the App Store window — it looks like a person's silhouette. Click "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu. You'll see your Apple ID email and your profile name listed under "Account Information."

Click "Edit" next to your name. Type your new username in the "Name" field and click "Save." Your change takes effect right away, though it may take a few minutes to appear on other people's devices or in the App Store on other apps.

What your App Store username controls

Your App Store username is the name that appears publicly when you write a review, rate an app, or when someone searches for you in Game Center or Contacts. It is separate from your Apple ID email address — people cannot see your email unless you share it with them directly.

Changing your username does not affect your login credentials, your payment method, your purchased apps, or anything else in your account. It only changes what name shows up next to your reviews and on your public profile. If you have a Game Center account, your Game Center name is separate and must be changed in the Game Center app or in Settings.

Why your new username might not appear right away

After you save your new username, it shows up when ready on your own device. However, other people's devices may take a few minutes to an hour to show the updated name when they view your reviews or profile. This delay happens because the App Store syncs information across Apple's servers, and all devices don't update at exactly the same time.

If someone you know still sees your old username after an hour, ask them to close and reopen the App Store app, or restart their device. The change will eventually appear everywhere.

Changing your name versus your Apple ID email

Your App Store username and your Apple ID email are two different things. Your username is what people see; your Apple ID email is what you use to sign in. You cannot change your Apple ID email address directly through the App Store app — that requires going to appleid.apple.com in a web browser and signing in with your current email and password.

If you want to change your Apple ID email (the address you use to log in), you'll need to visit Apple's website, not the App Store app. That process is separate from changing your public username and involves verifying your identity. For most people, changing just the public username through the App Store app is what they need.

What to do if you cannot edit your username

If the "Edit" button is grayed out or missing, you may be signed in with a child account or a managed account. Child accounts and accounts managed by a parent or organization have restrictions on what can be changed. Ask the account manager to adjust the permissions, or sign in with a different account that has full control.

If you're signed in with your own account and still cannot edit, try signing out of the App Store app and signing back in. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iTunes & App Store, tap your Apple ID, and tap "Sign Out." Then sign back in. On Mac, click the account icon in the App Store and select "Sign Out," then sign back in. This often fixes temporary glitches that prevent editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or spaces in my App Store username?

Yes, you can use spaces, numbers, and most punctuation marks in your username. Apple does not restrict these the way some other platforms do. However, avoid extremely long usernames — keep it under 30 characters for readability, though there is no hard limit enforced by the system.

Will changing my username affect my purchased apps or subscriptions?

No. Your purchases, subscriptions, and payment method are tied to your Apple ID account itself, not to your username. Changing your public name does not touch any of that. You'll still own the same apps and keep the same subscriptions.

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

Yes, you can change your username as many times as you want. There is no limit on how often you can edit it, and you can revert to an old name whenever you choose. Just follow the same steps and type in the name you want.

Is my App Store username the same as my Game Center name?

No, they are separate. Your App Store username appears on reviews and your profile in the App Store. Your Game Center name appears in games and Game Center leaderboards. You change them in different places — Game Center is in the Game Center app or in your device Settings under Game Center.

What if someone else is using the username I want?

Unlike some platforms, the App Store does not enforce unique usernames — multiple people can have the same display name. You can use any name you want, even if someone else is already using it. The system identifies you by your Apple ID, not by your username.