Change your display name in Spotify settings
You can change the name that appears on your Spotify profile by going to your account settings. On desktop, click your profile icon in the top right, select "Account", then find "Profile" in the left menu. Look for the "Display name" field, type your new name, and click "Save". On mobile, tap the home icon, select your profile picture, choose "Edit profile", and update the display name field the same way.
The name you enter here is what other Spotify users see when they view your profile or look at your playlists. This is different from your account email or password — changing your display name does not affect how you log in or receive account notifications.
After you save, the change takes effect immediately across all devices where you use Spotify. If you share playlists or collaborate with others, they will see your new name right away.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name is the public-facing name on your profile and playlists, separate from your login email.
- Desktop users access display name settings through their profile icon, then Account, then Profile.
- Mobile users can edit their display name from the profile section of the home tab.
- Changes to your display name take effect immediately and are visible to anyone who views your profile or shared playlists.
- You can change your display name as many times as you want with no restrictions.
Where to find the display name field on desktop
Open Spotify on your computer and look for your profile icon in the top right corner of the window. Click it and a dropdown menu appears. Select "Account" from that menu, which takes you to your account page in a web browser.
Once you are on the account page, look at the left sidebar. You will see several options including "Profile", "Privacy", "Notifications", and others. Click "Profile". On this page, you will see your display name field near the top, usually labeled "Display name" or "Public name". Type your new name directly into this field and click the "Save" button below it.
How to change your name on the Spotify mobile app
On iPhone or Android, open Spotify and tap the home icon at the bottom of the screen. In the top right corner of the home tab, tap your profile picture or avatar. This opens your profile page.
Look for an "Edit profile" button or pencil icon near the top of your profile. Tap it to enter edit mode. You will see your display name field — tap it, delete the current name, and type your new one. After you finish typing, look for a "Save" or "Done" button and tap it to confirm the change.
What you cannot change about your account name
Your Spotify username (also called your handle) is different from your display name and cannot be changed. This is the unique identifier that appears in your profile URL and is used for some account functions. If you created your account years ago, you may have a username assigned automatically. Display name is what you can freely update; username is permanent.
Your email address, which is what you use to log in, also cannot be changed directly through the display name settings. If you need to change your login email, you will need to go to the "Account" section and look for "Email" or "Change email" — this is a separate process from updating your display name.
Troubleshooting if your name change will not save
If you type a new display name but it does not save, first check that you clicked the "Save" button. Sometimes the button is easy to miss, especially on mobile. Wait a few seconds after clicking save — the change may take a moment to process.
If the save button is greyed out or unresponsive, try logging out of Spotify completely and logging back in. This refreshes your session and often fixes temporary glitches. On desktop, you can also try a different web browser to see if the issue is specific to the one you are using.
If you see an error message saying your name contains invalid characters, Spotify may not accept certain symbols or very long strings. Try a shorter name or remove any special characters like asterisks, slashes, or brackets. Spotify generally accepts letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation like hyphens and periods.
How other users see your display name
When you share a playlist with someone, they see your display name as the creator. When someone visits your profile, your display name appears at the top. If you follow other users or they follow you, your display name shows up in their follower lists. Comments you leave on playlists also display your current display name.
If you change your display name, all of these places update automatically. Someone who followed you under your old name will see your new name the next time they check their followers list or visit your profile. There is no lag or delay — the change is live across Spotify immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?
Spotify allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most common punctuation marks like hyphens and periods. Emojis and special symbols like asterisks, slashes, or brackets usually will not work and may trigger an error message. If your name does not save, try removing any unusual characters and using only standard letters and numbers.
Will changing my display name affect my saved playlists or music?
No. Your display name is purely cosmetic and only changes how your profile appears to others. All your playlists, saved songs, listening history, and preferences remain exactly the same. Your account data is not affected in any way.
How often can I change my display name?
You can change your display name as many times as you want with no restrictions or waiting period. There is no limit to how frequently you update it, so you can experiment with different names without penalty.
Is my display name the same as my username?
No. Your display name is what you choose and can change anytime. Your username is a permanent identifier assigned when you created your account and cannot be changed. You can have a display name like "Alex Music Lover" and a username like "spotify.user.12345".
What happens to my old display name after I change it?
Your old display name is replaced immediately and is no longer associated with your account. No one can see it, and you cannot revert to it unless you type it in again manually. Spotify does not keep a history of past display names.