Spotify might finally be preparing to let users change one of its most stubborn account details: the username. A recent teardown of Spotify’s Android app reveals new interface text suggesting that editable usernames are actively being worked on, hinting at a long-awaited update many users have been asking for since 2018.
The discovery comes from an APK analysis of Spotify version 9.1.20.1132, where new strings referencing “Username” and “Edit username” were spotted. According to findings shared by Android Authority, the language treats usernames more like public-facing social handles rather than permanent system identifiers. That shift matters, especially as Spotify continues to push deeper into social features.
Over the past few years, Spotify has been evolving beyond a simple music streaming platform. Features like collaborative playlists, Blends, Jams, and most recently direct messaging and group chats are turning the app into something closer to a social network built around music. With that evolution, the limitations of Spotify’s current username system are becoming harder to ignore.
New strings hint at an in-app editing flow
The newly uncovered code includes labels that would naturally sit inside profile settings, including a clear “Edit username” heading. There is also descriptive text referencing a page designed specifically for updating a user’s social handle. That suggests Spotify is building a real editing flow rather than simply renaming menu items or adjusting labels behind the scenes.
At the moment, every Spotify account already has a unique username, but for most users who joined in recent years, that username is an automatically generated string of letters and numbers. Because this identifier is tied directly to the account itself, Spotify has historically avoided offering a way to change it. The newly discovered strings point toward a different approach, where the underlying account ID stays the same while users are allowed to choose a more readable and shareable public handle.
Why editable usernames actually matter
As Spotify leans further into messaging and social discovery, usernames that look like random serial numbers create unnecessary friction. Searching for people using display names is already messy, since multiple users can share the same name, and there is no simple way to search for a unique global handle.
This becomes especially frustrating when trying to connect with someone new. Whether it is a collaborator, a friend of a friend, or the creator of a playlist you keep saving, the current system makes it harder than it needs to be. Messaging is also limited to users you have already interacted with through Spotify’s social tools, which works for existing connections but feels restrictive in broader discovery scenarios.
Allowing editable usernames would not instantly solve all discovery issues, but it would remove a major barrier. Clean, memorable handles make profiles easier to share, simplify search, and help Spotify better map identity as it continues expanding its social ecosystem. It also aligns with how users already think about online identity across other platforms.
A change years in the making
Spotify began issuing auto-generated usernames by default back in 2018, a move that simplified account creation but frustrated users who wanted more control over their profiles. Since those usernames double as permanent identifiers, changing them has never been straightforward. Any new system would need to carefully separate a user’s public handle from the internal account ID that powers logins, libraries, and subscriptions.
The leaked strings suggest Spotify may have found a way to strike that balance. By introducing a changeable, human-friendly handle layered on top of a permanent backend identifier, Spotify could offer flexibility without breaking existing accounts or data structures.
What to keep an eye on
As with any APK teardown, nothing is guaranteed. Features uncovered this way do not always make it into public releases, and Spotify has not officially announced editable usernames. There is also no clear timeline, nor any confirmation about whether the feature would roll out on Android first before expanding to other platforms.
Still, the presence of detailed UI text and descriptions points to more than a casual experiment. For users hoping to secure a cleaner, more recognizable handle, keeping the Spotify app updated and regularly checking profile settings after new releases could pay off. Early rollouts often come with the best availability, especially when usernames are first opened up for editing.
For now, it remains a strong signal rather than a promise, but it is the clearest indication yet that Spotify may finally be ready to let users take control of their usernames.
