You can change your Snapchat username once every 30 days

Snapchat lets you change the username you log in with, but only once per month. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely in the app settings — you do not need to contact Snapchat support or use a computer. After you change it, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days.

The username is different from your display name. Your display name is what friends see next to your messages and profile — you can change that as often as you want. Your username is what you type to log in and what other people use to find and add you. This guide covers changing the username itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon in the top left, then tap the gear icon to reach Settings.
  • Scroll down to Username and tap it, then enter your new username and tap Continue to confirm the change.
  • You can only change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you confirm.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use 30 days after you change it.
  • If you see an error message, the username is already taken or contains characters Snapchat does not allow.

Open Snapchat settings and find the username field

Start by opening the Snapchat app and tapping your profile icon. It is a circle in the top left corner of the camera screen — the one that shows your face or avatar. This takes you to your profile page.

In the top right corner of your profile page, tap the gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down through the list until you see the Username field. It shows your current username underneath the label. Tap on it to open the change screen.

Enter your new username and confirm the change

When you tap Username, a text box appears with your current username highlighted. Delete it and type your new username. Snapchat usernames can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores — no spaces or special characters like hyphens or @ symbols.

After you type the new username, tap the Continue button. Snapchat checks whether the username is available. If it is, you see a confirmation screen. Tap Yes, Continue to finalize the change. Your new username is now active when ready.

If you see an error message instead, the username is either already taken or contains a character Snapchat does not allow. Try a different combination and tap Continue again.

What happens to your old username

Your old username does not disappear right away. For 30 days after you change it, Snapchat holds it so no one else can claim it. After 30 days, it becomes available for anyone to register. If you change your mind within those 30 days, you cannot switch back to it — you would have to wait until someone else claims it and then hope they change their mind later.

This is why it is important to think through your new username before you confirm. You cannot undo the change or swap back to your old one when ready.

Understand the difference between username and display name

Many people confuse username with display name because both appear on your profile. Your display name is what your friends see in chats and on your profile card — it can be anything, including spaces and emoji. You can change your display name as many times as you want, and it does not affect your login.

Your username is what you type into the login screen and what people search for when they want to add you. Changing your username is the permanent-feeling action because of the 30-day hold and the once-per-month limit. If you only want to change how your name appears to friends, change your display name instead — that takes the same steps but you tap Display Name instead of Username in Settings.

Troubleshoot if the username will not change

If you see a message that says you cannot change your username yet, you have already changed it within the last 30 days. Snapchat enforces a strict once-per-month rule. Check the date you last changed it and try again after 30 days have passed.

If the username is rejected as unavailable, try adding a number or underscore to make it unique. Usernames like "john" or "sarah" are usually taken, but "john_2024" or "sarah.art" might be open. Keep trying different variations until one goes through.

If the app freezes or crashes when you tap Continue, close Snapchat completely and open it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh. Go back to Settings and try the change again from the beginning.

Plan ahead if you want to change your username regularly

Because you can only change your username once per month, think about what you want before you make the switch. If you are changing your username because you want a fresh start or a more professional look, pick something you will be happy with for at least a month.

If you are changing it because someone is harassing you or you want to disappear from a particular group, remember that your old username stays reserved for 30 days. During that time, people who know your old username cannot add you with it, but they can still find you if they know your display name or have you in their contacts already. Changing your username alone does not hide you from people who already have you added.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Snapchat limits username changes to once every 30 days. If you try to change it again before 30 days have passed, you will see an error message telling you to wait. The 30 days starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when you first tried.

What if someone takes my old username after I change it?

Your old username is held for 30 days, so no one can claim it during that time. After 30 days, it becomes available. If someone else registers it, you cannot get it back unless they change their username later. This is why you should not change your username on impulse.

Does changing my username affect my friends list or saved chats?

No. Your friends stay added to you, your chat history remains intact, and your Snapcode still works. Only the text username you type to log in changes. Everyone who has you added will still see you in their contacts under your display name.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Snapchat usernames can only contain letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, @ symbols, and emoji are not allowed. If you try to use them, Snapchat will reject the username as invalid.

What if I want to hide from someone but do not want to block them?

Changing your username alone will not hide you from someone who already has you added. They can still see you in their contacts and message you. If you want to prevent someone from contacting you, you need to block them or remove them as a friend. Changing your username only stops new people from finding you by searching for your old username.