Splync v1.1 Now Lets You Change Your Display Name

Splync v1.1 introduces something deceptively simple — the ability to change your display name. It may sound minor, but names carry identity, mood, and connection. Your name in Splync is, along with your profile photo, how friends and project members recognize you in shared budgets. By giving you freedom to change it anytime, we’re making Splync feel a little more human — adaptive to who you are today, not who you were when you first signed up.

When you sign up for Splync, you are asked to enter a display name. This acts like a nickname that represents you inside Splync. It isn’t public information — it’s only visible to people who are your friends or who join the same project as you. This helps protect your privacy while still allowing friendly, recognizable communication within your shared spaces. Because Splync is a shared budget tracker designed to help project members manage and split expenses easily, display names play an important role. They help everyone quickly understand who paid for a certain expense and who owes whom — keeping collaboration clear and personal.

In v1.0, as part of our MVP (Minimum Viable Product), display name changes were not yet available. Once you decided on your display name during sign-up, there was no button to change it. However, there are many situations where users naturally want to update how they appear — for example, using a different name with friends, colleagues, or partners. Starting from v1.1, you can now change your display name anytime and as many times as you want. So don’t overthink it when you first sign up — just pick a name you like and start using the app freely.

Unlike many social apps, Splync doesn’t require every display name to be globally unique. That means you can freely use names like “Kohei” without worrying that someone else has already taken them. We designed it this way to avoid the common frustration of seeing messages like “The display name is already taken” during sign-up. In other apps, this often leads to awkward variations such as “Kohei2840” or “Mai_92.” But in Splync, that kind of global uniqueness isn’t necessary — your display name is only used within your own circles of friends and project members. More importantly, we want you to enjoy Splync with the name you truly like, without delaying your registration just to think up an unused one.

Changing your display name in Splync is quick and simple. On the main page, tap your display name under your profile photo. You will be asked "Choose a display name." Just enter your preferred display name. Then, tap the "Save Display Name" button. Your updated name will instantly appear in your main page, projects and friend lists. Easy, isn't it?

When you change your display name, it updates across all your projects — whether they’re settled or still active. This ensures your identity stays consistent throughout Splync. However, if you want to keep a record of which name you used in past projects, you can export the project data before making the change. Exported data remains fixed and serves as a permanent snapshot of that moment in time.

Splync handles personal information with both legal care and technical safeguards. While a display name is a mandatory, If you decide to leave the app and deactivate your account, your display name will no longer be shown to anyone. However, for the sake of transparency in shared records, your project members will still see your past expense data — only now your name will appear as “Unknown User,” and your profile image will revert to Splync’s default icon. This approach allows Splync to maintain the balance between protecting your personal information and preserving the integrity of shared financial records.

Every version of Splync moves a step closer to its goal: making shared budgeting feel effortless, transparent, and personal. Allowing users to freely change their display names removes friction — no more worrying about what name to choose, no more being stuck with an old identity. It also aligns with our broader philosophy: flexibility, respect for privacy, and smooth collaboration. As Splync grows, we’ll keep refining features that make teamwork and cost sharing feel natural. The ability to edit your display name is a small example of how thoughtful design can quietly improve everyday experiences.