Change your display name in Snapchat settings

Your Snapchat display name — the one your friends see — lives in your account settings and takes about 30 seconds to change. Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon in the top left corner, then tap the settings gear icon. Scroll down to "Username" and tap it. You'll see your current username displayed; tap "Change Username" below it.

Snapchat will ask you to enter a new username and confirm your choice. Usernames must be between 2 and 15 characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot have spaces. Once you confirm, the change takes effect when ready across all your chats and your public profile.

Keep in mind that you can change your username once every 30 days. If you've changed it recently and want to change it again, Snapchat will tell you when you're may be able to access to make another change. This limit exists to prevent people from constantly switching names to confuse others or evade contact.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name changes when ready in Snapchat settings under the Username section, and the change appears to all your contacts right away.
  • Usernames can be 2 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but not spaces.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days; Snapchat will show you when you're next may be able to access if you've changed it recently.
  • Changing your username does not affect your account security, your saved chats, or your Snapchat score — only the name others see.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim after a short waiting period. Snapchat typically releases old usernames within a few days, though the exact timing is not published. If you had a username you were attached to, understand that someone else may take it once you change away from it.

Your old username does not stay tied to your account in any way. People who had you added under your previous username will still have you in their contacts — Snapchat updates their friend list automatically — but they'll see your new username displayed instead. You don't need to tell people your new username; it updates for them on their end.

The difference between username and display name

Snapchat actually has two name fields, and it's straightforward to mix them up. Your username is the unique identifier you use to add friends and the name that appears in search results. Your display name is a separate field that shows up in your profile and in chat headers, and it can include spaces, emojis, and special characters that usernames cannot.

If you want to change your display name instead — the friendly name people see when they open your profile — go to the same settings menu, scroll to "Name," and edit that field. Display names have fewer restrictions and can be changed as often as you want. Many people keep a straightforward username for searching and add a more creative display name for their profile.

Troubleshooting a username change that won't go through

If Snapchat rejects your new username, the most common reason is that someone else already has it. Usernames must be completely unique across all Snapchat accounts. Try adding a number or underscore to make it distinct — for example, if "sarah" is taken, try "sarah_2024" or "sarah.art".

Another reason for rejection is that your username contains a word Snapchat's system flags as inappropriate or offensive. The app doesn't always explain why a name was rejected, but if you get an error message, try removing any words that could be interpreted as slurs or profanity, even if you didn't intend them that way.

If you've hit your 30-day limit and want to change your username again, you'll have to wait. Snapchat will show you the exact date you become may be able to access. There's no way to bypass this waiting period, and contacting Snapchat support won't speed it up — the limit is built into the system for all accounts.

Why you might want to change your username

People change their Snapchat username for several reasons. You might have created an account years ago with a username you've outgrown, or you may want to use a more professional name if you're using Snapchat for work or content creation. Some people change their username to distance themselves from old contacts or to start fresh on the platform.

Changing your username is also a reasonable step if you're concerned about privacy. If your username contains your real name or birth year, changing it to something more anonymous can make it harder for strangers to piece together information about you. Unlike deleting your account, changing your username keeps all your memories, streaks, and contacts intact.

What doesn't change when you update your username

Your Snapchat score, saved messages, chat history, and all your added friends stay exactly the same when you change your username. Snapchat's system updates your name across the platform but leaves everything else untouched. People you've been snapping with will see your new username the next time they open the app, but your conversation history with them remains.

Your account security and login credentials don't change either. You still log in with your email address and password, not your username. Changing your username is purely cosmetic from a technical standpoint — it's just the label that appears to other people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to one I used before?

Not when ready. Once you change away from a username, it goes into a pool of available names. Even if you want to reclaim an old username, you have to wait for it to be released (usually a few days) and then hope no one else has claimed it. If someone else takes it first, you cannot get it back.

Does changing my username affect my Snapchat score?

No. Your score is tied to your account, not your username. It stays the same no matter how many times you change your name. The same applies to your streaks — they continue uninterrupted when you change your username.

What if someone is using a username I want?

You cannot claim someone else's active username. If the username is taken by an account that's still in use, you'll have to choose a different name. If an account has been inactive for a very long time, Snapchat may eventually release the username, but there's no way to request this or know when it might happen.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

Usernames cannot contain spaces, but they can contain periods and underscores. If you want a name with spaces or emojis, use the display name field instead — that field has fewer restrictions and updates when ready without a waiting period.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. People who already have you added will see your new username automatically. If someone searches for your old username, they won't find you, but if they search for your new one or your display name, they will. You may want to tell close friends your new username if you're concerned they won't think to search for it.