You can change your Pokémon GO username once every 30 days through the in-game settings menu

Open Pokémon GO and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Select the gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down and tap "Change Nickname" — this is the only place in the app where you can rename your trainer account. Type your new username (up to 16 characters, letters and numbers only), confirm it, and the change takes effect when ready.

The 30-day waiting period starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when you first tried to change it. If you attempt a second change before 30 days have passed, the app will tell you exactly how many days remain before you can try again.

Key Takeaways

  • You access the username change through your profile settings, not through account settings on Niantic's website.
  • Usernames can contain only letters and numbers and must be 16 characters or fewer.
  • You must wait 30 days between changes, and the timer resets each time you successfully change your name.
  • The change is permanent until you wait another 30 days and change it again — there is no way to revert to a previous name.

What happens if your chosen username is already taken

Pokémon GO does not allow duplicate usernames. If you type a name that another player is already using, the app will reject it and ask you to choose something else. You will not lose your 30-day change window — you can try a different name when ready without waiting.

Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "Trainer" and "trainer" count as the same name. If you are trying to reclaim a username you used before, it may still be reserved under a different capitalization.

Why the 30-day limit exists and what it means for you

Niantic built the 30-day cooldown to prevent harassment and account takeover. If someone gains temporary access to your account, they cannot when ready change your username back and forth to confuse you or damage your reputation. The waiting period also reduces the load on Niantic's servers from players constantly renaming themselves.

This limit applies to everyone equally — there is no way to change your username more frequently, even if you contact Niantic support. Plan your username changes carefully, because you are locked into each name for a month.

Character limits and what you cannot use in a username

Your username can be 1 to 16 characters long and can contain only letters (A–Z, a–z) and numbers (0–9). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, underscores, or special characters like @ or #. Pokémon GO will reject any name that contains these characters before you even submit it.

The app also blocks usernames that contain profanity or that impersonate Niantic staff or famous players. If you try to use a blocked word, you will see an error message telling you the name is not allowed, but not always why. If you believe a legitimate username was blocked by mistake, you can contact Niantic support through the in-game Help menu.

How to change your username if you play on multiple devices

Your Pokémon GO account is tied to your login method — either Google, Apple ID, or Niantic ID — not to a specific phone or tablet. When you change your username on one device, the change appears on all devices where you are signed in with that same account. You do not need to change it separately on each phone.

If you sign out and sign back in on a different device, you will see your new username when ready. The 30-day timer is also shared across all devices, so changing your name on your phone counts toward the same cooldown on your tablet.

What to do if you cannot find the Change Nickname option

Make sure you are tapping your profile icon (the circular avatar in the bottom right) and not the Settings gear icon in the top left. The top-left Settings menu controls game preferences like sound and notifications, not your account details. Your profile icon opens a different menu where you will see your trainer name, level, and the Change Nickname button.

If you still cannot see Change Nickname, check that your app is fully updated. Older versions of Pokémon GO may not display this option. Go to your device's app store (Google Play or Apple App Store), search for Pokémon GO, and install any pending updates. After updating, close and reopen the app before trying again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to one I used before?

Not when ready. If you change from "Trainer1" to "Trainer2", you cannot change back to "Trainer1" until 30 days have passed since you switched to "Trainer2". Even then, another player may have claimed "Trainer1" in the meantime, so it may no longer be available.

What if I change my username and then regret it within minutes?

You cannot undo the change. Once you confirm a new username, it is locked in for 30 days. If you made a typo or chose a name you dislike, you will have to wait the full 30 days before you can change it again. Choose carefully before you tap confirm.

Does changing my username affect my Pokédex, items, or Pokémon?

No. Your username is purely cosmetic — it is what other players see when you battle them or trade with them. Your items, Pokémon, level, and all game progress remain exactly the same. Changing your name does not reset anything or cause you to lose progress.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Pokémon GO only allows letters and numbers. Spaces, hyphens, underscores, and symbols like @ or # will be rejected before you can submit the name. If you want to separate words, use numbers or capital letters instead — for example, "Trainer1Blue" instead of "Trainer 1 Blue".