Spotify is switching to email-based sign-in access
Spotify has announced it will be getting rid of username sign-ins as of September 2026.
Spotify is making a change to how users sign in. Later this year, the streaming platform will retire username-based logins, bringing an end to a feature that has existed since Spotify’s early days.
For most listeners, the update will likely go unnoticed. Email sign-ins and linked accounts are already widely used, but anyone who still enters a Spotify username when logging in will need to switch to using their email address instead.
Spotify is sunsetting username-based sign-ins
According to emails sent to subscribers, Spotify will stop supporting username logins from September 1, 2026.
As 9to5Google reports, Spotify told users, “Starting September 1, 2026, you’ll no longer be able to log in with your username. Instead, you can log in with your email.”
The change applies specifically to Spotify’s username login system. Users will still be able to sign in with their email address and password, as well as through linked services such as Google and Apple.
At the time of writing, Spotify has not published a broader announcement about the update through its newsroom or community channels.
What will users need to do?
Not much, really.
The change is unlikely to have a major impact on how people use Spotify day to day. Many users already sign in with an email address or through linked services such as Google or Apple.
However, anyone who still relies on a Spotify username to access their account will need to switch to using their email address from the 1st of September.
Spotify is also encouraging users to review their account details ahead of the change. In its email, the company notes that users who would prefer to use a different email address can update it through their account settings before the new login requirements come into effect.
Why Spotify is making the switch
Spotify hasn’t publicly explained the decision, but the move reflects a broader shift towards simpler account systems centred around email addresses and linked sign-in providers.
As SoundGuys notes, usernames are often publicly visible, while email addresses tend to remain private. While the change won’t affect how people use Spotify, it does mark the end of one of the platform’s longest-standing account features.