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

Pokémon GO gives you one free username change during the life of your account. You make this change through the in-game settings menu, not through a website or support form. Once you use that one change, you cannot change your username again — you would need to start a new account if you wanted a different name.

The change takes effect when ready after you confirm it. Other players will see your new name in gyms, raids, and PvP battles right away. Your Pokédex, items, and progress stay exactly the same.

Key Takeaways

  • You get one free username change per account, and it happens when ready through the in-game settings menu under "Change Nickname".
  • After you use your one change, you cannot change your username again without creating a new account.
  • Your new username appears to other players when ready in gyms, raids, and PvP battles.
  • Usernames must be between 1 and 15 characters and cannot contain spaces, special characters, or offensive language.
  • If Niantic's filter rejects your chosen name, you will see an error message and can try a different one before confirming.

Where to find the username change option

Open Pokémon GO and tap your avatar icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. This opens your profile page. Tap the settings icon (the gear symbol) in the top right corner of your profile. Scroll down until you see "Change Nickname" — this is the option you need.

Tap "Change Nickname" and you will see a text box with your current username highlighted. Delete it and type your new name. The game will check your new name against its filter for offensive language and inappropriate content. If the name passes, you will see a confirmation button. Tap it, and your username changes when ready.

What names the game will reject

Pokémon GO uses an automated filter that blocks usernames containing profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names. The filter also rejects names with numbers that spell out offensive words, names that impersonate Pokémon characters or Niantic staff, and names with repeated characters that look like spam (such as "aaaaaaa").

If your chosen name gets rejected, the game shows an error message saying the name is not allowed. You can when ready try a different name without losing your one free change — you only use up your change when you successfully confirm a new username. This means you can test several options before settling on one.

Rules for what you can and cannot use

Your username must be between 1 and 15 characters long. You cannot use spaces, punctuation marks, or special characters like @, #, $, or &. You can use letters (A–Z, both uppercase and lowercase) and numbers (0–9), but the name cannot be only numbers.

Avoid usernames that look like they are trying to impersonate official Pokémon GO accounts, Niantic staff members, or well-known Pokémon trainers from the games or show. The filter catches most of these, but some slip through — if you do use one and Niantic's support team notices, they can force you to change it without giving you another free change.

What happens if you do not use your free change

If you never change your username, you keep the one you created when you first set up your account. There is no expiration date on your free change — you can use it years after you start playing. Some players hold onto their free change in case they want to rebrand later.

If you delete your account and create a new one, you get another free username change on the new account. However, your old account's data (Pokédex, items, progress) does not transfer — you start completely fresh.

What stays the same after you change your username

Your trainer level, Pokédex completion, items in your bag, Pokémon in your storage, and all your progress toward medals and research tasks remain unchanged. Your friends list does not disappear, and friends can still see you in raids and gyms — they just see your new name instead of your old one.

If you have a custom avatar or team color (red, blue, or yellow), those stay the same too. The username change only affects the text name that appears above your avatar to other players.

If you want to change your username a second time

Once you have used your one free change, Pokémon GO does not offer a second change through normal gameplay. Your only option is to create a new account, which means starting over with no Pokédex, no items, and no progress. Some players do this if they want a completely different identity in the game, but it is a significant cost.

Niantic's support team does not grant additional username changes as a favor or exception. If you are unhappy with your choice after using your free change, you are stuck with it on that account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

No. Once you change your username, you cannot revert to the old one. If you regret your new choice, you cannot undo it. This is why it is worth taking time to pick a name you will be happy with long-term before you confirm the change.

Do other players see my old username or my new one?

Other players see only your new username. Your old name disappears from the game entirely. In raid groups, gyms, and PvP battles, everyone sees the new name when ready after you change it.

What if someone else already has the username I want?

Pokémon GO allows multiple players to have the same username. Two players can both be named "Trainer123" without conflict. The game does not reserve usernames or prevent duplicates, so you can use any name that passes the content filter, even if someone else is already using it.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list does not change, and your friends can still see you in raids, gyms, and battles. They will see your new username, but the friendship connection itself stays intact. You do not need to re-add friends after a username change.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Pokémon GO only accepts letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). Spaces, hyphens, underscores, periods, and all other special characters are blocked. The game will reject your name if you try to use any of these.