Yes, you can choose your Spotify username, but only once
Spotify lets you pick a custom username when you first set up your account. This username is what other people see when they look at your profile, and it's the name you use to log in. However, Spotify allows you to change it only one time after account creation — so the choice matters more than it might seem.
If you create an account and when ready regret your username, you can change it. But once you've used that second username for a while, you're stuck with it. Spotify does not offer a way to change your username a second time, even if you contact support. This is a hard limit, not a policy that exceptions can bend.
Key Takeaways
- You choose your username during account setup, and you can change it one time after that, but never again.
- Your username is different from your display name — you can change your display name as many times as you want, but your username is permanent after your one change.
- Usernames must be between 3 and 30 characters, contain only letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens, and cannot start with a number.
- If your desired username is taken, Spotify will not let you use it, and there is no waitlist or way to claim it later.
- Changing your username does not affect your playlists, followers, or saved music — those stay attached to your account.
The difference between username and display name
Spotify has two separate name fields, and mixing them up causes confusion. Your username is your login credential and your permanent profile identifier. Your display name is what appears on your profile and in playlists you share — and you can change it whenever you want, as many times as you want.
If you want to rebrand yourself but have already used your one username change, you can still update your display name. Other users will see the new display name on your profile, but your username stays the same behind the scenes. This is useful if you want a fresh look without losing access to your account or your music history.
How to choose a username during account setup
When you create a Spotify account, you'll reach a screen asking for a username. Spotify will suggest one based on your email or name, but you can type anything that follows the rules: 3 to 30 characters, letters and numbers only, plus underscores and hyphens. Your username cannot start with a number.
Before you confirm, check whether the name you want is available. Spotify will tell you when ready if someone else has already claimed it. If it's taken, you'll need to pick something else right then — there's no option to reserve a name or join a waitlist. Take a moment to think through what you'll be comfortable with long-term, because this is your one chance to choose freely.
How to change your username after account creation
To use your one allowed change, go to your account settings on the Spotify website or app. On the web, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Account", then find "Username" in the list. On mobile, tap "Your Library", then the gear icon for settings, then "Username". You'll see your current username and a button to edit it.
Click to edit, type your new username, and check that it's available. Spotify will show you when ready if someone else has taken it. If it's free, confirm the change. The new username takes effect right away, and you can log in with it from that point forward. Your old username becomes unavailable to you — you cannot switch back to it, and you cannot change to a third username later.
Rules for what makes a valid username
Spotify enforces specific rules about what characters and lengths are allowed. Your username must be between 3 and 30 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers 0–9, underscores (_), and hyphens (-). You cannot use spaces, periods, or special characters like @, #, or &. Your username also cannot start with a number — it must begin with a letter or underscore.
If you try to create a username that breaks these rules, Spotify will reject it and ask you to try again. The error message will tell you which rule you've violated. These limits exist partly to keep usernames readable and partly to prevent usernames from looking like email addresses or being confused with other account identifiers.
What happens to your account when you change your username
Changing your username does not affect any of your account data. Your playlists stay exactly as they are, with the same songs and the same followers. Any followers you had before the change will still follow you after — they don't have to re-follow you or update anything on their end. Your saved songs, liked tracks, and listening history all remain attached to your account.
The only thing that changes is the name you use to log in and the name that appears on your profile. If you've shared playlists or collaborative playlists with friends, those links still work. If someone has bookmarked your profile, that link still works too. The change is cosmetic from the user's perspective, though it's permanent from yours.
Why Spotify limits you to one username change
Spotify's one-change policy exists to prevent abuse and keep usernames stable. If users could change usernames freely, someone could claim a popular name, then abandon it, then claim it again later — or someone could impersonate another user by copying their username and changing it back. By locking usernames after one change, Spotify makes sure that a username stays tied to one account and one person's history.
This also means that if you want a username someone else has, you cannot wait for them to abandon it and then claim it. Once someone picks a username, it's theirs as long as their account exists, even if they never use Spotify again. If you find a username you love is taken, your only option is to pick something else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my old username back if I change my mind?
No. Once you change your username, the old one is gone forever. You cannot switch back to it, and you cannot use your one change again to go back. If you're unsure about a new username, test it out for a few days before confirming the change, because there's no undo.
What if the username I want is taken?
You'll have to pick a different one. Spotify does not have a waitlist or reservation system for usernames. If someone else has claimed the name you want, it's unavailable to you. You can try variations — adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens — but the exact name you want is off-limits.
Can I change my display name instead of my username?
Yes, and you can do it as many times as you want. Your display name is separate from your username. Go to your profile settings and edit your display name to show whatever you'd like. Other users will see the display name, but your username stays the same behind the scenes.
Does changing my username affect my Spotify Wrapped or listening history?
No. Your listening history, saved songs, playlists, and Spotify Wrapped are all tied to your account, not your username. Changing your username does not erase or reset any of that data. Everything stays with your account.
What if I created my account years ago and don't remember my username?
You can find your username by logging into your account on the Spotify website, going to Account settings, and looking at the Username field. If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot your password?" link on the login page to reset it. Once you're logged in, you can see your current username and decide whether to use your one change.