Change your Spotify display name in account settings

Your Spotify display name is the name that appears on your profile and next to your playlists and activity. You can change it at any time through your account settings on the Spotify website or app. The process takes less than a minute and takes effect when ready across all your devices.

On a computer, go to your account page at account.spotify.com, sign in, and look for the "Edit profile" button. On the Spotify mobile app, tap the profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the settings gear icon, scroll down to "Profile," and tap "Edit profile." In both places, you'll see a field labeled "Display name" where you can type your new name and save the change.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your display name through account settings on account.spotify.com or in the mobile app's profile section.
  • Your display name is what other users see on your profile and next to your playlists and activity.
  • The change takes effect when ready on all your devices and in all places your name appears.
  • You can change your display name as many times as you want with no restrictions or waiting period.
  • Your username (the handle used in your Spotify URL) is different from your display name and cannot be changed.

Where your display name appears on Spotify

Once you change your display name, it shows up in several places across Spotify. Other users will see it on your public profile, next to any playlists you've made public, and when you share songs or playlists with them. Your display name also appears next to your activity if you have activity sharing turned on, so friends can see what you're listening to.

The display name does not change your Spotify username, which is the unique handle in your profile URL. If your Spotify URL is spotify.com/user/david_reeves_1985, your username is "david_reeves_1985" and it stays the same no matter what display name you choose. Only the display name changes.

Steps to change your name on the Spotify website

Open a web browser and go to account.spotify.com. Sign in with your email address and password. Once you're logged in, look for the "Edit profile" button near the top of the page, usually next to your current display name and profile picture.

Click "Edit profile" and you'll see a form with several fields. Find the "Display name" field and clear out your current name. Type in the new name you want to use. Spotify allows display names up to 30 characters, and you can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Once you've entered your new name, scroll down and click the "Save profile" button. Your new name will appear across Spotify within seconds.

Steps to change your name in the Spotify mobile app

On iPhone or Android, open the Spotify app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. At the top right, you'll see a settings icon that looks like a gear. Tap it to open your settings menu.

Scroll down until you see "Profile" listed in the settings options and tap it. You'll see your current display name and profile picture. Tap "Edit profile" to open the editing form. Clear your current name from the "Display name" field and type your new name. Tap the checkmark or "Save" button (the exact label depends on whether you're on iOS or Android) to confirm the change. Your new name will update when ready on your device and sync to all your other devices within a few seconds.

What you can and cannot change about your Spotify name

You can change your display name as many times as you want, and there is no waiting period between changes. You can use almost any combination of letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation. Spotify does not restrict how often you change it, so you can update it daily if you choose.

You cannot change your username, which is the unique handle assigned to your account when you created it. This is the name that appears in your Spotify URL and is used for Spotify Connect and some sharing features. If you created your account through Facebook or Apple, your username may be different from your display name. If you want a different username, you would need to create a new Spotify account, which means losing your saved playlists and listening history on the old account.

Troubleshooting if your name change won't save

If you've tried to change your display name and it won't save, first check that you're using a supported character set. Spotify accepts letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation, but some special characters or emoji may not work. Try removing any unusual characters and saving again.

If the name still won't save, sign out of your Spotify account completely and sign back in. Sometimes a cached version of your profile prevents changes from taking effect. On the website, clear your browser's cookies for account.spotify.com. On the mobile app, close the app completely (not just minimize it) and reopen it. If you're still having trouble after signing out and back in, the issue may be temporary on Spotify's end—wait a few minutes and try again.

How your display name affects your privacy and sharing

Changing your display name does not affect your privacy settings or who can see your profile. If your profile was public before the name change, it remains public. If it was private, it stays private. Your display name is visible to anyone who can see your profile, so if you want your profile to be private, you'll need to adjust your privacy settings separately in your account settings.

When you share a playlist or song with someone, they see your display name, not your username. If you change your display name, the new name will appear on any future shares, but old shares will still show your previous name in the recipient's history. This is normal and does not affect the playlist or song itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Spotify username?

No, your username cannot be changed once your account is created. If you need a different username, you would have to create a new Spotify account. This means you'd lose access to your saved playlists, liked songs, and listening history on your old account, so most people keep their original username and change only their display name instead.

Will changing my display name affect my playlists or saved songs?

No, changing your display name does not affect your playlists, saved songs, or any other content on your account. All your music and playlists stay exactly as they are. Only the name that appears next to them changes.

How long does it take for my new name to show up everywhere?

Your new display name takes effect when ready on the device where you made the change and syncs to all your other devices within a few seconds. Other users will see your new name right away on their end as well.

Can I use special characters or emoji in my display name?

Spotify allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most common punctuation marks in display names. Some special characters and emoji may not work. If your name won't save, try removing unusual characters and using only standard letters, numbers, spaces, and basic punctuation like hyphens or underscores.

What happens to my old display name when I change it?

Your old display name is replaced completely. No one can see it anymore, and you cannot revert to it unless you type it in again manually. Spotify does not keep a history of your previous display names.