Yes, you can change your Pokémon GO username, but only once every 30 days

Pokémon GO lets you change the name your character displays in the game, but the system enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes. This means if you changed your username last week, you cannot change it again for another three weeks. The change takes effect when ready once you confirm it, and other players will see your new name right away.

The username you choose appears above your character on the map and in battle screens. It is separate from your Pokémon GO account login — changing your display name does not affect how you sign in or your account security. You can change it back to a previous name if you want, as long as that name is not currently taken by another player.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Pokémon GO username once every 30 days through the in-game settings menu.
  • The new name appears to other players when ready and cannot be the same as an active player's current username.
  • Changing your display name does not change your login credentials or affect your account security.
  • If you try to change your name before 30 days have passed, the game will show you the exact date you can change it again.
  • Usernames must be between one and 16 characters and cannot contain spaces or special characters.

How to change your username in the game

Open Pokémon GO and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. This opens your trainer profile page, which shows your current username, level, and Pokédex progress. At the top of this page, you will see your username displayed prominently.

Tap directly on your username text. A dialog box will appear asking you to enter a new name. Type the name you want — it must be between one and 16 characters, and the game will not accept spaces, punctuation, or special symbols. Once you type the new name, tap the confirm button. The game will check whether that name is already in use. If another player has it, you will see a message saying the name is taken and you must choose a different one.

After you confirm a new name, it takes effect when ready. You will see it displayed on your profile and other players will see it when they encounter you in raids or battles. If you change your mind within the 30-day window, you cannot change it again until that period ends.

What happens if you try to change your name too soon

If you attempt to change your username before 30 days have passed since your last change, Pokémon GO will display a message telling you that you cannot change your name yet. The message will include the exact date and time when you will be able to change it again. This timer resets each time you make a change, so if you change your name on January 15, you cannot change it again until February 15.

The 30-day rule applies whether you changed your name intentionally or had it changed by Niantic (the company that makes Pokémon GO) due to a violation of their naming policy. If your name was removed for breaking the rules, you will need to wait 30 days from that removal before you can set a new one.

Naming rules and what the game will reject

Pokémon GO has specific rules about what names are allowed. Your username cannot contain spaces, numbers, or special characters like hyphens, underscores, or punctuation marks. The game will reject names that include profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names. Names that reference hate groups, violence, or sexual content are also not permitted.

The game also blocks names that are too similar to Pokémon GO staff accounts or that impersonate other players. If you try to use a name that violates these rules, the confirmation screen will either reject it when ready or Niantic may remove it later and reset your username to a default one. If your name is removed, you will receive a notification in the game explaining that your username violated the policy.

If your username was removed by Niantic

When Niantic removes a username for policy violations, your character's name is replaced with a default name like "Trainer" followed by numbers. You will see a notification in the game explaining that your username was removed. At that point, you can choose a new name following the rules above, but you must wait 30 days from the removal date before you can change it again.

If you believe your name was removed by mistake, you can contact Niantic support through the in-game help menu. Tap your profile icon, then tap the settings icon (gear symbol), scroll down, and select "Help." From there you can report the issue. Niantic reviews these reports but does not always reverse removals, especially if the name clearly violated the policy.

Changing your username on different devices

The username change process is the same whether you play Pokémon GO on an iPhone or Android phone. Your username is tied to your Pokémon GO account, not to a specific device. If you play on multiple phones or tablets, changing your name on one device changes it everywhere — you will see the new name the next time you open the game on any other device.

If you sign out of your account on one phone and sign in on another, you will still see your current username. The change syncs through Niantic's servers, so there is no delay or confusion between devices.

What you cannot change about your account

Your Pokémon GO username is different from your login credentials. If you signed up using a Google account, your Google email is your login — changing your display name does not change that email or affect how you sign in. Similarly, if you created a Pokémon Trainer Club account, your username for that account stays the same. Only the name that appears in the game changes.

You also cannot change your trainer level, your Pokédex, or your team (red, blue, or yellow) through the username menu. Those are separate settings. Your team can only be changed once, when you first create your account, and your level increases only by earning experience through gameplay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a name that another player used before if they changed it?

Yes. Once a player changes their username, their old name becomes available for someone else to use. You can claim it as your own if you want, as long as you follow the 30-day rule for your own changes. The game only blocks names that are currently active on another player's account.

What if I forget what my current username is?

Open the game and tap your profile icon in the bottom right. Your current username is displayed at the top of your profile page. You can also see it in the upper left corner of the main map screen, above your trainer level.

Does changing my username affect my friends list or raid groups?

No. Your friends will still see you in their friends list after you change your name, and they will see your new name the next time they open the game. Raid groups and PvP battles will show your updated name to other players when ready.

Can I change my username if I have a suspended or banned account?

No. If your account is suspended or banned, you cannot make any changes to it, including changing your username. You would need to contact Niantic support to address the suspension or ban first.

Is there a cost to change my username?

No. Changing your username in Pokémon GO is free. Niantic does not charge PokéCoins or real money for this feature.