Did Spotify change your username into a combination of random numbers and letters? If you want to enhance your Spotify music streaming experience, read this helpful guide.
Before you read this article, please understand that your username is different from your display name. Other people will see your display name, but won’t see your username.
Why is your Spotify username random numbers and letters?
Spotify has been generating an automatic username with random combinations of letters and numbers for every new user since 2018. This was done to improve the user experience.
This is the statement Spotify wrote on its FAQ page:
“As we look to improve the overall Spotify experience, we’re now automatically generating usernames, hence the random numbers and letters. You don’t need to remember this to log in. You can log in with just your password and the email address associated with your account.”
If you registered your Spotify username before the 2018 update, congratulations. You are one of the lucky few people who have a unique and catchy username.
Can you change your Spotify username?
You cannot change your Spotify username. The combination of random letters and numbers is unique to you and is generated by Spotify to identify your account on their servers.
You don’t need your username to log in. Instead, use your email address and password or log in with the method you used to sign up (Facebook, Apple, or your phone number).
Why can’t you change your Spotify username?
You cannot change your Spotify username because that is your assigned ID. Spotify uses your username to identify you on their servers, much like your unique fingerprints.
If you dislike your random username, don’t worry. People will see your display name instead. A display name replaces the username where it shows on your profile, app, and playlists.
What’s the difference between a Spotify username and a display name?
Your username is designed for Spotify to identify you. Other people won’t see it. Your display name, however, is what other people see. It shows on your profile, app, and playlists.
Unlike your username, you can freely change your display name. You can find your display name in the Settings menu (mobile) or the top right corner of the app (desktop).
How to change your Spotify display name
The display name is what other people see instead of your username. Unlike your username, you can freely change your display name into something you associate with.
If you don’t want the hassle, you can connect Facebook so Spotify automatically displays your Facebook name. But, if you add a display name, it will show instead of your Facebook name.
How to change your display name on mobile and tablet
- Open the Spotify app.
- Tap Settings in the top right corner.
- Tap View Profile.
- Tap Edit profile and change your display name.
- Tap Save in the top right corner.
How to change your display name on the desktop
- Open the Spotify homepage.
- Click your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Click Profile.
- Click your current display name.
- Change your display name.
- Click Save.
Spotify changed my username to numbers
The combination of random numbers you see is not your username, but your display name. Don’t worry, you can edit your profile and change your display name at any time.
If you register using Facebook and notice your username/display name change to numbers, check whether you have opted out of Spotify processing your Facebook data.
Log in to your Spotify account on a web browser and go to Privacy settings. Make sure the “Process my Facebook data” toggle is turned on (switched to green).
What happens when you opt-out? Opting out prevents Spotify from processing your Facebook display name, Facebook profile picture, and Facebook Friends.
Your display name will change into your alphanumeric username, your profile picture won’t be visible on your Spotify account, and you won’t be able to find Facebook friends on Spotify.
Basically, when you opt out, it still keeps your account usable but Spotify will stop using your data, for example, your name, which is why your name changes to random numbers.
If you want Spotify to use your display name, opt-in. If this didn’t work, log in to your Facebook profile and make sure that you have granted Spotify access to your personal information.
You can choose a new display name at any point. If you add a new Spotify display name while your account is still connected to Facebook, it will replace your Facebook name.
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