How to Change Your Name on Spotify
Spotify lets you customize your display name — the name other users see on your profile, in playlists, and when you share music. But there's an important distinction to understand before you start: Spotify separates your display name from your username, and only one of them can actually be changed.
Display Name vs. Username: What's the Difference?
When Spotify introduced its current account system, it moved away from user-chosen usernames. Most accounts created after a certain point were assigned a randomly generated username (a string of letters and numbers) that is permanently tied to your account and cannot be changed.
Your display name, however, is fully editable. This is the name that appears on:
- Your public profile
- Playlists you create or share
- Friend activity feeds
- Collaborative playlists
Changing your display name has no effect on your login credentials. You'll still sign in with the same email address or connected social account.
How to Change Your Display Name on Spotify 🎵
The process differs slightly depending on your device, but the logic is the same across platforms.
On Mobile (iOS or Android)
- Open the Spotify app and tap Your Library in the bottom navigation bar.
- Tap the profile icon or your name in the top corner.
- Select View Profile, then tap Edit Profile.
- Tap on the Name field and type your new display name.
- Tap Save to confirm the change.
The update typically reflects immediately across your profile and playlists.
On Desktop (Windows or macOS)
- Open the Spotify desktop app and click your profile name in the top-right corner.
- Select Profile from the dropdown menu.
- Click Edit Profile.
- Update the name field and click Save.
On the Web Player (browser.spotify.com)
The web player also supports profile editing. Click your username or avatar in the top-right corner, go to Profile, and follow the same edit steps as on desktop.
What You Cannot Change
This is where many users run into frustration. Spotify's username — the one visible in your profile URL (e.g., open.spotify.com/user/abc123xyz) — is permanent. Spotify does not offer a way to change it, and this has been the case for years. If you signed up with Facebook in the early days of Spotify, your username may have been your Facebook name at the time, but even that is now locked.
Additionally, if your account is linked to Facebook, the display name may be pulled from your Facebook profile by default. In that case, you may need to either:
- Disconnect Facebook from your Spotify account settings first
- Or update your name on Facebook, which then syncs to Spotify (though this affects your Facebook identity too)
You can manage connected accounts under Settings → Social within the Spotify app.
Factors That Affect Your Experience
Not every user hits the same roadblocks. A few variables determine how straightforward the name change will be for you:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Account age | Older accounts may have legacy usernames from Facebook or email sign-up |
| Login method | Facebook-linked accounts may need to disconnect social login first |
| Device used | Mobile, desktop, and web player all support editing, but UI layout varies |
| Spotify version | Outdated app versions may not reflect changes immediately — update if needed |
| Name sync | Changes may take a few minutes to propagate across all devices and friends' feeds |
A Few Things Worth Knowing
Display names are not unique. Unlike a username, multiple Spotify users can share the same display name. This means your name choice won't be "taken" in any technical sense.
Profile pictures can be updated at the same time. The Edit Profile screen also lets you change or upload a profile photo, so if you're refreshing your identity on the platform, it's worth doing both at once.
Changes are visible to others. Any followers or friends using collaborative playlists with you will see the updated name going forward. Old playlist activity won't be retroactively updated with the new name on all platforms.
Parental controls or Family Plan restrictions don't typically block display name changes, but if you're managing a Kids account under Spotify Kids, that operates as a separate app with different profile settings entirely.
The Part That Depends on Your Setup
How simple or complicated this process turns out to be varies considerably based on how your account was originally created and which platform you're using today. A standard email-registered account on the current mobile app is a quick two-minute edit. An older Facebook-linked account on a desktop running an outdated version of Spotify involves a few more steps. Neither situation is particularly difficult — but knowing which one you're dealing with before you start saves unnecessary confusion.