Change your Overwatch username through Battle.net Account Settings

Your Overwatch username is separate from your Battle.net account name. To change it, log into your Battle.net account, go to Account Settings, select the Overwatch game, and click the pencil icon next to your current name. Type your new username — it can be 3 to 12 characters, letters and numbers only — and click Save. The change takes effect when ready in Overwatch.

You can change your username once every 30 days at no cost. If you try to change it again before 30 days have passed, Battle.net will show you the exact date when the next change becomes available. This timer resets from the date of your last successful change, not from when you attempted a change that failed.

The new name appears to other players right away in matches, on your profile, and in your friends list. Replays and statistics tied to your old name stay in your account history, but they will display under your new username when you view them.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into Battle.net, open Account Settings, find Overwatch, and click the pencil icon next to your username to edit it.
  • Usernames must be 3 to 12 characters and can contain only letters and numbers — no spaces, symbols, or special characters.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days for free; Battle.net shows you when your next change becomes available.
  • Your new username appears to all players when ready, but you cannot revert to an old name unless someone else claims it first and then stops using it.

What characters and names are not allowed

Battle.net rejects usernames with spaces, punctuation, accented letters, or emoji. Numbers are allowed, but your username cannot be only numbers. Names that contain slurs, hateful language, or impersonation of real people or celebrities will be flagged, and Battle.net may force a change without waiting for your 30-day window.

If you try to save a name that violates the rules, Battle.net shows an error message explaining why it was rejected. Common rejections are "name contains invalid characters" (spaces, symbols) or "name is unavailable" (already taken or reserved by Blizzard). Try a different combination and submit again.

Where to find the username change option

Open a web browser and go to account.battle.net. Log in with your email and password. In the left sidebar, click Account Settings. Scroll down to the Games section and find Overwatch — if you own multiple Blizzard games, make sure you are looking at the Overwatch row, not Diablo or World of Warcraft. Click on Overwatch to expand it.

Next to your current username, you will see a small pencil icon. Click it to open the edit box. Type your new name, check that it meets the character rules, and click the Save button. If the name is available and follows the rules, the change saves when ready. If it fails, read the error message to see what went wrong.

Timing: when your next change becomes available

The 30-day timer starts from the moment you successfully save a new username. If you change your name on January 15, you cannot change it again until February 14. The timer counts calendar days, not 24-hour periods, so a change at 11:59 p.m. on one day and a change at 12:01 a.m. the next day are treated as two separate days toward the 30-day total.

If you attempt to change your username before the 30 days are up, Battle.net shows a message with the exact date and time when you can change it next. You do not have to wait for a confirmation email or perform any other action — the timer runs automatically in the background.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for other players to claim. If someone else takes it within a few days, you cannot get it back. However, if nobody claims it for several months, Blizzard may retire it, and you still cannot reclaim it — the name stays unavailable to everyone.

Your rank, wins, losses, and all statistics stay in your account under your new username. Friends who had you added will still see you in their friends list, but your name will show as the new one. Old replays and match history display under your new username as well, so there is no loss of data or progress.

Troubleshooting: why the change did not save

If you see an error message, the most common reasons are: the name contains spaces or special characters, the name is already taken by another player, the name is reserved by Blizzard, or you are trying to change it before 30 days have passed since your last change. Read the error message carefully — it usually tells you which rule was broken.

If the error says the name is unavailable but you are sure it is not taken, wait a few hours and try again. Sometimes a name that was just released by another player takes a short time to show as available in the system. If the error persists and you believe it is a mistake, contact Blizzard Support through the Battle.net website and describe the problem.

Changing your username on console or mobile

You cannot change your Overwatch username directly from the game client on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch. You must log into Battle.net through a web browser on a computer or phone, follow the steps above, and the change will sync to your console the next time you launch Overwatch.

The same rule applies if you play on mobile through the Battle.net app. Open the app, go to Account Settings, find Overwatch, and edit your username the same way you would on a desktop browser. The change takes effect across all platforms where you play Overwatch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. Battle.net enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes. If you change your username and then want to change it again, you must wait 30 calendar days from the date of your last successful change. The system will not allow you to save a new name before that time.

What if someone else took my old username?

Once you change your username, the old one is released to other players. If someone claims it, you cannot get it back by changing your name again. You can only reclaim an old username if the person who took it stops using it and Blizzard releases it back into the pool, which is rare.

Will my friends still see me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list connection is tied to your Battle.net account, not your username. After you change your name, you will still appear in your friends' lists, but they will see your new username instead of the old one. You will also see them with their current usernames.

Can I use numbers only as my username?

No. Your username must contain at least one letter. It can include numbers, but it cannot be only numbers. For example, "Player123" is allowed, but "12345" is not.

What if Battle.net says my name is reserved?

Blizzard reserves certain names to prevent impersonation or to protect brand names. If a name is reserved, you cannot use it no matter how long you wait. Try a different variation — add a number, change the spelling slightly, or choose a different name altogether.