Where to change your Activision username

You change your Activision username through your Activision account settings on the web, not through the game itself. Go to account.activision.com, sign in with your email and password, and look for the "Account" tab at the top. From there, select "Profile" and you'll see your current Activision ID listed. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

The change takes effect when ready across all Activision games — Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo, World of Warcraft, and any others tied to your account. Your old username stops working right away, so make sure you tell your friends or clan members your new one before you change it.

If you're on console (PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch), you still go through the Activision website to change it. Your console's own username is separate and doesn't change. Only your Activision ID changes, which is what shows up in-game.

Key Takeaways

  • You must change your Activision username through account.activision.com in your browser, not through the game or console settings.
  • The change happens when ready across all games connected to your Activision account, and your old username becomes unavailable when ready.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you confirm the change.
  • Your console username (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch) stays the same — only your Activision ID changes.

What you need before you start

Have your Activision account email and password ready. If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot your password?" link on the login page — Activision will send you a reset link to your email. You'll need access to that email account to complete the reset.

If you use two-factor authentication on your Activision account (which you should), you'll need your authenticator app or the backup codes you saved when you set it up. Activision will ask for a verification code before letting you change your username.

The step-by-step process

Open a web browser and go to account.activision.com. Click "Sign In" in the top right corner. Enter your email address and password, then complete any two-factor authentication prompts.

Once you're logged in, click the "Account" tab at the top of the page. Select "Profile" from the menu on the left side. You'll see a section labeled "Activision ID" with your current username and a pencil icon next to it. Click that pencil icon to enter edit mode.

Type your new username into the text field. Activision usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods. As you type, the system will tell you whether the name is available or already taken by another player.

Once you've entered a name that's available, click "Save" or "Confirm". Activision will ask you to verify the change one more time. Click the confirmation button, and your new username is live.

Restrictions and cooldowns

You can change your Activision username once every 30 days. If you've changed it recently, you'll see a countdown timer telling you when you can change it again. This applies to your entire Activision account, so if you change it for Call of Duty, you can't change it again for any other Activision game until 30 days have passed.

Your username must be unique across all Activision games and regions. If someone else is already using the name you want, you'll have to pick something different. Activision does not hold usernames, so if a name is taken, it's taken.

If your account has been suspended or banned, you may not be able to change your username. Contact Activision Support to find out whether your account is in good standing before you try.

What happens to your friends list and stats

Your friends list stays the same. Everyone on your friends list will see your new username the next time they log in, and you'll still be able to see them. You don't need to re-add anyone.

Your game statistics, rank, cosmetics, and battle pass progress all stay attached to your account. Changing your username doesn't reset anything — it's purely a cosmetic change. Your K/D ratio, level, and unlocked weapons remain exactly as they were.

If you're in a clan or community, your membership stays active. The clan leader and other members will see your new username in the clan roster, but you don't need to rejoin or do anything else.

If you can't change your username

If you see an error message or the pencil icon won't appear next to your Activision ID, try signing out completely and signing back in. Sometimes the page needs to refresh your session.

If the username you want shows as unavailable but you're sure no one else is using it, wait a few minutes and try again. Activision's system sometimes takes a moment to update. If it stays unavailable after 10 minutes, that username is genuinely taken.

If you're still unable to change your username after trying these steps, or if you see a message saying your account is restricted, contact Activision Support through their website. Go to support.activision.com, click "Contact Us", and describe the problem. Support typically responds within 24 to 48 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Yes, but you have to wait 30 days after your last change. Once that cooldown expires, you can change to any available username, including one you used before. If someone else has taken your old username in the meantime, you won't be able to use it.

Does changing my Activision username change my PlayStation or Xbox username?

No. Your Activision ID and your console username are completely separate. Changing one does not affect the other. If you want to change your PlayStation Network or Xbox Live username, you do that through your console's settings, not through Activision.

Will my friends see my old username in chat history?

No. All previous messages and chat logs will show your new username. There's no record of your old username in the game's chat system once you've changed it.

What if my new username gets reported or banned?

If Activision determines your username violates their code of conduct, they can force you to change it. You'll receive an email explaining why and telling you to pick a new one. You'll have a set amount of time to change it before your account is restricted from playing.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Activision usernames can only contain letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other special characters are not allowed. If you try to use them, the system will reject the name as invalid.