Where to change your username depends on your platform

Your Call of Duty username is tied to your Activision account, not your console or PC login. This means the steps differ depending on whether you play on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or PC. The fastest route is to change it through your Activision account settings online, which takes about five minutes and works across all platforms at once.

If you play on console, you can also change your username through your console's own account settings — but this only changes your console username, not your in-game Call of Duty name. Many players get confused here and think they've changed their Call of Duty name when they've only changed what appears on their console home screen. To change the name that shows in Call of Duty lobbies, you must update your Activision account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Call of Duty username lives in your Activision account, so you change it on the Activision website, not in the game itself.
  • Changing your console username (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Nintendo account) does not change your in-game Call of Duty name.
  • You can change your Activision username once every 30 days, and the new name takes effect when ready across all Call of Duty games.
  • If your account is linked to multiple platforms, changing your Activision username updates it on all of them at the same time.

Changing your username through Activision's website

Go to account.activision.com and sign in with the email and password you use for Call of Duty. Once you're logged in, look for "Account" or "Profile" in the top menu — the exact wording changes occasionally, but it's always near the top right of the page.

Click into your profile settings and find the field labeled "Activision ID" or "Username." This is the name that appears in Call of Duty lobbies. Click the edit button (usually a pencil icon) next to it. Type your new username — it can be 3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only, no spaces or special characters. Click save or confirm. The change takes effect when ready, and you'll see the new name the next time you load Call of Duty.

If you see a message that says you've already changed your username recently, you're hitting the 30-day limit. Activision allows one username change per 30 days. If you changed it within the last month, you'll have to wait until that period passes before you can change it again.

Changing your username on PlayStation

If you want to change only your PlayStation Network name (the name on your console home screen), go to Settings on your PS4 or PS5, then Users and Accounts, then Other, then Username. Enter your new name and confirm. This does not change your Call of Duty username — it only changes what your friends see on the PlayStation side.

To change your actual Call of Duty name on PlayStation, you still need to go through Activision's website as described above. Your PlayStation Network account and your Activision account are linked, but they are separate. Changing one does not change the other.

Changing your username on Xbox

On Xbox, your gamertag is your Xbox Live username. To change it, press the Xbox button on your controller, go to Profile & system, then Profile, then Customize profile, then Gamertag. You can change your gamertag once for free; after that, Xbox charges a small fee. Again, this changes only what appears on Xbox — not your in-game Call of Duty name.

Your Call of Duty username is still managed through Activision's website. Even though your Xbox account and Activision account are linked, they maintain separate usernames. Update your Activision ID through their website to change the name that shows in Call of Duty matches.

Changing your username on Nintendo Switch

On Switch, go to System Settings, then Users, then select your user account, then Profile, then Nickname. Change it there. This updates only your Switch profile, not your Call of Duty name.

Your Call of Duty username is still controlled by your Activision account. Log into Activision's website and change your username there to update the name that appears in Call of Duty lobbies.

Changing your username on PC

If you play Call of Duty on PC through Battle.net (Blizzard's platform), you don't change your username in the game or in Battle.net itself. Instead, go to account.activision.com, sign in, and change your Activision ID the same way you would on console. The change syncs to Battle.net automatically.

Your Battle.net account name and your Activision ID are linked but separate. Changing your Battle.net account name does not change your Call of Duty username. Always update your Activision ID on their website to change the name visible in Call of Duty.

What happens after you change your username

Your new username appears in Call of Duty lobbies within a few minutes. If you're already in a match when you change it, you may need to restart the game to see the update. Your friends list, party chat, and match history all update to show your new name.

Your stats, rank, and cosmetics stay exactly the same — changing your username does not reset your account or progress. If you change your mind, you can change it again after 30 days have passed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Call of Duty username more than once?

Yes, but only once every 30 days. If you try to change it again before 30 days have passed since your last change, Activision will show you a message with the date you can change it next. You have to wait until that date arrives.

Will changing my username reset my rank or stats?

No. Your rank, level, weapons, cosmetics, and all match history stay the same. Only the name displayed changes. Anyone looking up your stats by your old username won't find them, but the stats themselves are still attached to your account.

What characters can I use in my new username?

Activision allows letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9) only. No spaces, hyphens, underscores, or special characters. Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long.

My username is taken — what do I do?

Try a variation: add a number at the end, use a different spelling, or combine two words. Activision will tell you when ready if a name is unavailable when you try to save it. You can keep trying different names until you find one that's open.

Do I need to change my password after changing my username?

No. Changing your username does not affect your password or account security. Your login email and password stay the same.