Where usernames live on the apps and websites you use
Your username is the name you chose when you created your account — not your email address, though many sites let you log in with either one. It's the text you type into the "Username" field (or sometimes called "User ID" or "Login name") before you enter your password. If you've forgotten what you picked, the fastest way to find it is to look at the account settings or profile page inside the app or website itself.
Most apps and websites show your username in one of three places: your profile or account settings, the confirmation email you received when you signed up, or the password manager on your phone or computer if you saved it there. The exact location depends on which service you're using, but the method is almost always the same — log in with your email address instead, then navigate to where your account details are stored.
Key Takeaways
- Your username is different from your email address, even though most sites let you log in with either one.
- The quickest place to look is your account settings or profile page inside the app or website, usually found under a menu icon or your profile picture.
- If you can't remember your username, log in using your email address instead — most services accept both.
- Check the confirmation email from when you created the account; many services include your username in that message.
- Your phone or computer's password manager may have saved your username automatically when you first logged in.
Finding your username in account settings
Once you're logged into the app or website, look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines), a gear icon, or your profile picture in the top corner. Tap or click it, then look for options labeled "Account," "Settings," "Profile," or "My Account." Your username is usually displayed on the main profile page or under a section called "Account Information" or "Personal Details."
On mobile apps, this menu is often in the bottom right corner. On websites, it's usually in the top right. If you see your full name displayed prominently but not your username, scroll down — the username often appears below the name or in a separate field labeled "Username" or "Handle." Some services show it with an @ symbol in front, like @yourname.
Using your email address to log in instead
If you can't find your username in settings, you don't actually need it to get back into your account. Most modern apps and websites let you log in using your email address instead of your username. Go to the login page, enter the email address you used to create the account, type your password, and you'll be logged in.
Once you're inside, navigate to your profile or account settings (using the steps above) and your username will be displayed there. This method works for almost every major service — social media platforms, email providers, banking apps, shopping sites, and streaming services all accept email login. The only exception is if you created the account so long ago that you've forgotten both your username and the email address you used, in which case you'll need to use the account recovery process.
Checking your confirmation or welcome email
When you first created your account, the service sent you a confirmation or welcome email. Open your email inbox and search for messages from that service — look for subject lines like "Welcome," "Confirm your account," "Account created," or the company name. Many services include your username in that first email, either in the body of the message or in a line that says "Your username is [name]."
If you can't find the original email, check your spam or promotions folder — confirmation emails sometimes get filtered there. If the email is gone, don't worry; the other methods in this guide will still work.
Looking in your password manager
If you've logged into the account on your phone or computer before, your device's password manager may have saved your username automatically. On iPhones and iPads, open Settings, tap Passwords, search for the service name, and you'll see both your username and password (though the password will be hidden). On Android phones, open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Passwords, and search for the service.
On Windows computers, open Microsoft Edge or Chrome, click the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then Passwords, and search for the service name. On Mac computers, open Safari, go to Preferences, click Passwords, search for the service, and your saved username will appear. If nothing shows up, it means you didn't save your login information when you first signed in, and you'll need to use one of the other methods.
Using account recovery if you're locked out
If you can't log in at all — because you've forgotten both your username and password — use the "Forgot password" or "Can't log in" link on the login page. You'll be asked to enter your email address, and the service will send you a link to reset your password. Once you've reset it and logged back in, your username will be visible in your account settings.
Some services also offer account recovery through a phone number or security questions you set up when you created the account. If you have access to the phone number or remember the answers, use that option. The recovery process usually takes a few minutes, and you'll be back in your account with your username visible.
What to do once you've found it
Once you've located your username, write it down somewhere safe — a notebook, a password manager, or a find note app on your phone. This way, you won't have to search for it again. If you use the same username across multiple services, keeping a list of which services use it can save time later.
If you want to change your username to something easier to remember, most services let you do this in account settings. Look for an option like "Change username," "Edit profile," or "Update account information." Some services charge a small fee for username changes or limit how often you can change it, so check the settings first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my username the same as my email address?
No. Your username is the name you chose when you created the account, while your email is the address you used to sign up. However, most services let you log in using either your username or your email address, so you don't have to remember which one you chose.
What if I see my email address where the username should be?
Some services use your email as your username by default if you didn't create a separate one. In this case, your "username" is straightforward your email address. Check your account settings to see if there's an option to create a different username if you prefer.
Can I change my username to something different?
Most services allow username changes in account settings, though some limit how often you can change it or charge a fee. Look for "Change username" or "Edit profile" in your account settings. A few older services don't allow changes at all, so check before you try.
What if the service doesn't show a username field anywhere?
Some newer services don't use usernames at all — they only use email addresses or phone numbers to log in. If you can't find a username field after checking account settings, profile, and your confirmation email, the service probably doesn't have one.
Is my username visible to other people?
That depends on the service. On social media platforms, your username is usually public and appears in your profile URL. On banking apps and email services, your username is private and only you can see it. Check your privacy settings if you're concerned about who can see it.