Locked out of your music accounts?
The most common way artists lose money is losing access: the email on a DistroKid, Spotify for Artists, MLC, or PRO account is dead and no login was saved. Here’s how to get back into each — through the service’s real support, proving you’re the owner. There’s no money to find if you can’t get in.
DistroKid
- Open a support ticket from the help center (you don't need to be logged in).
- State clearly: you own the account, the email on it is no longer accessible.
- Provide the release titles + signup details so they can locate the account.
- Ask them to update the account email to one you control.
- Once back in, set up a recovery email + save credentials in a password manager.
Have ready: The artist name(s) and exact release titles on the account; The approximate signup date and plan; Any payout method on file (e.g. last 4 of the bank/PayPal email); Proof you are the artist (ID + a post from your verified social).
Spotify for Artists
- If a teammate still has access, have them invite your new email as admin.
- Otherwise request access fresh on your artist profile — verification routes through your distributor.
- Contact Spotify for Artists support to remove the stale email if needed.
Have ready: Your artist URI / profile link; The distributor that delivers your music; Existing team members who can re-invite you.
Apple Music for Artists
- Recover the underlying Apple ID first (appleid.apple.com) if that email is dead.
- Request artist access / claim the profile via Apple Music for Artists support.
- Verification routes through your distributor.
Have ready: Your Apple ID or the artist page URL; Your distributor; Proof you are the artist.
The MLC
- Contact MLC support; state you're the Member and the account email is dead.
- Identify your works and member details so they can locate the account.
- Update your contact email and confirm payee info so accruals can pay out.
Have ready: Member name / number; Works (titles, ISWCs) on the account; Tax/payee info on file.
- Call or email Member Services; verify identity with your member details.
- Ask to update the email and reset login.
Have ready: Member name / number; Last 4 of SSN/Tax ID on file; Registered works.
- Contact BMI support; verify with your IPI/member details.
- Request an email update and login reset.
Have ready: Member name / IPI/CAE number; Tax ID on file; Registered works.
SoundExchange
- Contact SoundExchange support; identify your account by payee + recordings.
- Update contact email; check the unregistered-artist list while you're at it.
Have ready: Account/payee name; Recordings (ISRCs) you perform on; Tax/payee info.
YouTube / Google
- Run Google Account Recovery for the underlying Google account.
- Answer recovery questions from a familiar device/location to improve success.
- For brand/channel access, have an existing channel manager re-add your new account.
Have ready: Channel URL; Approx. account creation date; A previously used password or recovery phone.
Want this organized — track each case and auto-generate the identity-proof letter to send to support?
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