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 profile, and click the edit button next to your current name. You can then type a new username and confirm the change. The new name takes effect when ready in Overwatch.

You do not need to own multiple copies of Overwatch or have a special account type to change your username. Any player with an active Battle.net account linked to Overwatch can make this change once per account. If you have played Overwatch on console (PlayStation or Xbox), that username is tied to your console account, not Battle.net, and requires a different process through your console's settings.

The username you choose must be between 3 and 12 characters, contain only letters and numbers, and cannot match a name already in use by another player. Spaces and special characters are not allowed. If the name you want is taken, Battle.net will tell you when ready and you can try another.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into Battle.net, open Account Settings, find your Overwatch profile, and click edit next to your username to change it.
  • Your new Overwatch username takes effect right away and is visible to other players in matches and on your profile.
  • Usernames must be 3 to 12 characters long and contain only letters and numbers, with no spaces or symbols.
  • If you play Overwatch on console, your console username is separate and must be changed through your PlayStation or Xbox account settings instead.
  • You can change your username once per account, though Blizzard may allow additional changes after a waiting period.

Step-by-step: Finding the username change option

Start by opening a web browser and going to account.battle.net. Sign in with your Battle.net email and password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will need to enter the code from your authenticator app or phone.

Once you are logged in, look for "Account Settings" in the left sidebar menu. Click it. You should see a list of games linked to your account. Find Overwatch or Overwatch 2 in that list and click on it. This opens your game-specific settings.

On the Overwatch profile page, you will see your current username displayed near the top. Next to it is an edit button (usually a pencil icon or the word "Edit"). Click that button to open the name-change field. Type your new username in the box that appears, then click "Save" or "Confirm" to lock in the change.

What happens if your desired username is already taken

When you try to save a new username, Battle.net checks whether another player is already using it. If the name is taken, you will see an error message saying the username is unavailable. You cannot reserve a name or join a waitlist for one — you must choose a different name right then.

Try adding numbers to the end of your preferred name, or use a variation of the spelling. For example, if "Shadow" is taken, you might try "Shadow42" or "Shadowx". Keep in mind that other players may have similar names, so seeing something close to what you want does not mean your exact choice is unavailable — you have to attempt to save it to know for sure.

Changing your username on PlayStation or Xbox

If you play Overwatch on console, your username is tied to your PlayStation Network (PSN) or Xbox Live account, not to Battle.net. Changing it requires going through your console's settings, not the Battle.net website.

On PlayStation, go to Settings, then Account, then Profile, then Online ID. You can change your PSN username there, and it will update in Overwatch automatically. On Xbox, go to Settings, then Account, then Personalization, then Gamertag. Your new gamertag will show up in Overwatch once the change syncs, which usually takes a few minutes.

If you play Overwatch on both PC and console, you have two separate usernames — one for Battle.net and one for your console. Changing one does not affect the other.

How long the change takes to show up

On PC, your new Overwatch username appears when ready after you click save. You will see it in your profile, in the social menu, and in matches right away. Other players will also see your new name when ready.

On console, the change may take a few minutes to sync to Overwatch after you update it in your console settings. If you do not see the new name right away, restart Overwatch or restart your console to force the sync.

Restrictions and waiting periods

Blizzard allows you to change your Overwatch username, but the number of times you can do it and how often depends on your account history. Most players can change their name once without restriction. If you want to change it again, there may be a waiting period — typically 30 days or more between changes, though this varies.

If you have been reported for an offensive username or violated the Overwatch Code of Conduct, Blizzard may force a username change and prevent you from changing it again for a set time. If this happens to you, you will receive a notification in your Battle.net account explaining the restriction and when you can change your name again.

Troubleshooting: Username change is not working

If you click edit but the field does not open, or if you cannot save your new name, try clearing your browser cache and logging out of Battle.net completely. Then log back in and try again. Sometimes cached data prevents the page from loading correctly.

If you see a message saying you cannot change your username, check whether you have already changed it recently. If you have, you may need to wait before making another change. You can also contact Blizzard Support through the Battle.net website if the error message is unclear or if you believe there is a technical problem.

Make sure the username you are trying to use does not contain spaces, special characters, or numbers in positions that look like they spell a word or phrase that violates the Code of Conduct. Blizzard may reject names that appear offensive even if you did not intend them that way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Overwatch username back to what it was before?

Yes, if the old name is not taken by another player, you can change back to it. However, you will still be subject to the waiting period between changes. If someone else has claimed your old username in the meantime, you cannot use it unless they change theirs first.

Does changing my Overwatch username affect my Battle.net account name?

No. Your Battle.net account name and your Overwatch username are two separate things. Changing one does not change the other. Your Battle.net name is what you use to log in; your Overwatch username is what other players see in the game.

What if I forgot my current Overwatch username?

Log into Battle.net and go to Account Settings, then select your Overwatch profile. Your current username is displayed at the top of that page. You can also see it in Overwatch itself by opening your profile in the game menu.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my Overwatch username?

No. Overwatch usernames can only contain letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). Spaces, hyphens, underscores, and other special characters are not allowed. If you try to save a name with these characters, Battle.net will reject it.

How do I change my username if I play Overwatch on multiple platforms?

On PC, change your name through Battle.net as described above. On PlayStation or Xbox, change your name through your console's account settings. Each platform has its own username, and they do not sync with each other. You will need to change them separately if you want the same name on all platforms.