Where to change your username

Your Call of Duty username lives in your Activision account, not in the game itself. You change it through the Activision website, and the change takes effect across all Activision games — Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo, and any others you play on that account.

You cannot change your username inside the game client. If you try to look for a settings option there, you will not find it. The game pulls your username from Activision's servers, so the source of truth is always the Activision account page.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Activision account at activision.com, not through the game, to change your username.
  • Your first username change is free, but each change after that costs 9.99 USD.
  • The new username takes effect when ready in multiplayer, but may take a few minutes to show in your profile.
  • You cannot use a username that is already taken, contains profanity, or includes certain special characters.
  • If you forget your Activision password, you will need to reset it before you can access the account page.

Steps to change your username on the Activision website

Go to activision.com and click the sign-in button in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password for your Activision account — this is the account linked to your Call of Duty game, not your console account or Steam account.

Once you are signed in, click your account name or avatar in the top right, then select Account Settings from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the page, you will see a menu with several options. Click Profile.

Under your profile information, you will see your current username next to Activision ID. Click the pencil icon or the Edit button next to it. Type your new username in the field that appears. Activision will tell you when ready if the name is taken or breaks their rules — you will see a red message under the field.

Once you have entered a username that is available, click Save. The change takes effect right away in multiplayer lobbies and on your profile.

What usernames are not allowed

Activision blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or hateful language. They also reject names that impersonate real people, celebrities, or Activision staff members. If you try to use one of these, the system will show an error message and ask you to choose something else.

Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, and underscores, but not spaces or most special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols. If your desired name contains a character that is not allowed, you will see an error telling you which character to remove.

The cost of changing your username more than once

Your first username change is free. If you change your username again after that, Activision charges 9.99 USD each time. This is a one-time charge per change, not a subscription.

Before you confirm a new username, make sure you are happy with it, because paying to change it again is the only way to switch if you change your mind. There is no way to undo a paid name change or get a refund.

How long the change takes to show everywhere

Your new username appears in multiplayer matches and lobbies when ready. However, your profile page and leaderboards may take a few minutes to update. If you see your old name in one place and your new name in another, wait 5 to 10 minutes and refresh the page.

Friends will see your new username the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. In-game chat and party invitations use your new name right away.

What to do if you cannot sign into your Activision account

If you do not remember your Activision password, go to activision.com and click Sign In. On the sign-in page, click Forgot your password? Enter the email address for your account. Activision will send you a password reset link to that email.

Check your inbox and spam folder for the reset email. Click the link in the email, create a new password, and then sign back into the Activision website. Once you are signed in, you can follow the steps above to change your username.

If you do not have access to the email address on your account, you will need to contact Activision support. Go to support.activision.com, click Contact Us, and describe your situation. Support can verify your identity and help you regain access to your account.

Changing your username on console versus PC

The process is the same whether you play on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or PC. Your Activision account is separate from your console account or Steam account, so changing your Activision username does not change your PlayStation Network ID, Xbox Gamertag, or Steam username.

If you want to change your console username as well, you will need to do that through your console's settings or through the console manufacturer's website. Those changes are separate and do not affect your Call of Duty username.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed that name. If someone else has taken your old username, it is no longer available. You can try to reclaim it, but if it is taken, you will need to choose a different name.

Will changing my username affect my rank, stats, or progress?

No. Your rank, K/D ratio, weapon unlocks, and all other progress stay exactly the same. Only your display name changes. Friends and other players will see your new name, but your account history and achievements remain linked to you.

What if the username I want is taken?

Try adding a number or underscore to make it unique — for example, "username_1" or "username42". Activision will tell you if a name is taken when you try to save it, so you can keep trying variations until you find one that works.

Do I have to pay to change my username if I made a typo?

Yes. Activision charges for every name change after the first one, regardless of the reason. If you made a typo on your first free change, you would need to pay 9.99 USD to fix it. This is why it is worth taking time to check your spelling before you save.

How long does it take for my friends to see my new username?

Your friends will see your new username the next time they refresh their friends list or log back into the game. This usually happens within a few minutes, but can take up to an hour in rare cases.