Where to Change Your Username

You change your Call of Duty username through your Activision account, not inside the game itself. Go to activision.com, sign in with the email and password you use for Call of Duty, and look for Account Settings. The username field is there — it is separate from your display name, which is what other players see in-game.

If you play on console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), your console's own username is different from your Activision username. Changing one does not change the other. Your Activision username is what matters for Call of Duty matchmaking and friends lists across all platforms.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Call of Duty username lives in your Activision account settings at activision.com, not in the game client.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all Call of Duty games you own.
  • Your console username (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Network) is separate and does not change when you update your Activision username.
  • If you forget your Activision password, use the "Forgot your password?" link on the login page to reset it by email.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Username

Log into activision.com using the email address and password tied to your Call of Duty account. If you are not sure which email you used, check your console's account settings or the game launcher (Battle.net on PC, or the Call of Duty app on console).

Once logged in, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Account Settings. Look for the section labeled "Usernames" or "Profile" — the exact wording varies slightly depending on when your account was created. You will see your current username and a button to edit it.

Click Edit, type your new username, and confirm the change. Activision will tell you if the name is already taken or violates their code of conduct (no slurs, no impersonation of real people, no spam). If your choice is rejected, try a different one. The change goes live when ready.

The 30-Day Waiting Period

After you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This rule applies whether you changed it yourself or Activision changed it for you (which happens if your old name violated their policy). The timer resets each time you make a change.

If you change your username and regret it within the 30-day window, you are stuck with it until the period ends. Choose carefully the first time.

What Happens to Your Friends List and Stats

Your friends list stays intact when you change your username. People who had you added will still see you as a friend — they will just see your new name. Your stats, rank, and unlocked weapons do not change at all. Everything tied to your Activision account ID (the number behind the scenes) stays with you.

Other players will see your new username in lobbies, on the scoreboard, and in recent players lists. If you were in a clan or community group, your membership carries over, but the group will see your new name.

Usernames Blocked or Reported by Activision

If Activision flags your username as violating their code of conduct, they will force a change and send you an email explaining why. You then have a set time (usually 30 days) to pick a new one yourself. If you do not choose one, Activision assigns you a temporary name like "Player" followed by numbers.

Common reasons for forced changes include hate speech, sexual content, impersonation of celebrities or streamers, or names that look like account hijacking attempts. If you believe your name was flagged by mistake, contact Activision Support through their website.

If You Cannot Log Into Your Account

If you forgot your Activision password, go to activision.com and click "Forgot your password?" on the login page. Activision will send a reset link to the email address on file. Check your spam folder if you do not see it within a few minutes.

If you no longer have access to the email address tied to your account, contact Activision Support. They can verify your identity using your console account, phone number, or payment history, then help you regain access. This process takes longer than a password reset — usually a few business days.

Console-Specific Username Notes

On PlayStation, your PSN username is separate from your Activision username. Changing your PSN does not affect Call of Duty. On Xbox, your Gamertag is also separate. On Nintendo Switch, your Nintendo Network ID is separate. If you want to change how you appear on your console, you do that in your console's own settings, not through Activision.

Some players link multiple console accounts to one Activision account. If you do this, your Activision username will be the same across all of them, but your console usernames can be different. This is useful if you play on both PlayStation and Xbox but want one unified Call of Duty identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes, but only once every 30 days. After you make a change, you must wait 30 days before changing it again. The timer starts the moment you confirm the new name.

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

Yes. Your friends list does not break when you change your username. Everyone who had you added will still see you as a friend, just with your new name displayed.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Activision will tell you it is unavailable when you try to claim it. Try a variation — add numbers, underscores, or a different spelling. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are treated as the same name.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your username and password are separate. Changing your username does not affect your password or security settings. You only need to change your password if you think someone else knows it.

Can I change my username on console without going to a computer?

No. You must go to activision.com on a web browser or computer. The game itself does not have a username-change option. You can use your phone's browser if you do not have a computer nearby.