Where to change your username

You change your Call of Duty username through your Activision account, not through the game itself. The change happens on Activision's website, and it takes effect across all Activision games you play — Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo, and any others linked to that account.

You cannot change your username inside the game client. If you try to look for a settings option in Call of Duty, you will not find it. The game pulls your username from your Activision account, so that is where the change must happen.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Activision account at account.activision.com, not through the game itself.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all your Activision games.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot match a name already in use.
  • If your desired username is taken, you will see that message on the confirmation screen and can try a different name without losing your attempt.

Step-by-step: changing your username

Go to account.activision.com and sign in with the email and password for your Activision account. This is the same account you use to launch Call of Duty.

Once you are logged in, look for the account name or profile section — it is usually near the top right of the page or in a menu labeled "Account". Click on it. You should see your current username displayed.

Find the option to edit or change your username. It may be labeled "Change Battletag", "Edit Username", or "Update Name" depending on which version of the Activision website you see. Click that button or link.

Type your new username into the text field. Remember: it must be 3 to 16 characters long, use only letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_), and it cannot be a name someone else is already using. Spaces and special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols are not allowed.

Click the button to confirm your change. If the name is available, the system will confirm the change when ready and show you your new username. If the name is taken, you will see an error message. Try a different name and submit again.

What happens after you change it

Your new username appears in Call of Duty and all other Activision games within seconds. Friends will see the new name in their friends list, and your profile will show the updated username.

You cannot change your username again for 30 days. If you change it and then realize you made a mistake, you have to wait the full 30 days before you can change it again. For this reason, test your new name in the confirmation screen before you click the final button.

Your account level, rank, cosmetics, and all other progress stay exactly the same. Changing your username does not reset anything or affect your game data.

Troubleshooting: username change did not work

If you tried to change your username and got an error message, the most common reason is that the name is already taken. Activision usernames are unique across the entire platform, so if someone else has the name you want, you cannot use it. Try a variation — add a number, use an underscore, or pick a different name altogether.

If you see a message that says you cannot change your username yet, you have already changed it within the last 30 days. You must wait until the 30-day window has passed. The website usually tells you the exact date you can change it again.

If you are still logged into Call of Duty when you change your username on the website, the game may not show the new name until you restart it. Close Call of Duty completely and launch it again. Your new username should appear after the game loads.

If you cannot access your Activision account

If you forgot your password, go to account.activision.com and click "Forgot your password?" on the login screen. Activision will send a reset link to the email address on file. Follow that link to create a new password, then log in and change your username.

If you cannot access the email address linked to your account, you will need to contact Activision Support. Go to support.activision.com, select your game, and choose the option to contact support about account access. They can verify your identity and help you regain access to your account.

Username rules and restrictions

Your username must follow these rules: it is 3 to 16 characters long, contains only letters, numbers, and underscores, and does not match any name already in use. Activision also blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people or public figures. If you try to use a blocked name, the system will reject it and ask you to choose something else.

You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or any special characters except the underscore. If you want to separate words, use an underscore instead — for example, "Dark_Knight" instead of "Dark Knight" or "Dark-Knight".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes, but only once every 30 days. After you change your username, you must wait a full 30 days before you can change it again. The website will tell you the exact date you become able to change it.

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

Yes. Your friends list does not change, and your friends will see your new username in their friends list within seconds. You do not need to re-add anyone or send new friend requests.

What if the username I want is taken?

Try a different name. Activision usernames are unique, so if someone else has the name, it is not available. You can add numbers, use underscores, or pick a completely different name. There is no waiting list for taken names.

Does changing my username affect my rank or progress?

No. Your rank, level, cosmetics, weapons, and all other progress stay the same. Only your display name changes.

Can I change my username on console or mobile?

No. You must change it on the Activision website using a computer or mobile browser. The game itself does not have a username change option on any platform.