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 for Settings, then tap "Username". Tap the pencil icon next to your current name, type your new username, and tap "OK" to confirm. The change takes effect when ready, though other players will see the new name the next time they encounter you in the game.

You get one free username change every 30 days. If you try to change it again before 30 days have passed, the game will tell you the exact date when you can change it next. There is no way to speed up this timer, and Niantic (the company that makes Pokémon GO) does not offer exceptions.

Your username must be between 1 and 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. The game will reject names that contain profanity, impersonation of real people or brands, or references to illegal activity — if your chosen name is rejected, you will see an error message telling you to pick something different.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days by going to Settings > Username in the app and tapping the pencil icon next to your name.
  • Usernames must be 1 to 15 characters and can include letters, numbers, and underscores, but not spaces.
  • The game will reject names containing profanity, impersonation, or illegal references, and you will see an error message if your choice is blocked.
  • Once you confirm a new username, it takes effect when ready in your profile, though other players may see the old name briefly until the game syncs.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Your old username becomes available for other players to use once the change is complete. There is no grace period or hold — if someone else wants that name, they can claim it as soon as you release it. This is why many players take a screenshot of their old username if it was something they liked; you cannot get it back later.

Your Pokémon, items, and battle history all stay the same. Changing your username does not reset your account, delete your Pokémon, or affect your trainer level. Friends who have you added will still see you as a friend, though your name will update in their friend list the next time the app refreshes.

Reasons the game might reject your username change

The most common reason is that the name you chose is already taken by another player. Pokémon GO requires every username to be unique — you cannot have the same name as anyone else on the platform. If you see a message saying the username is unavailable, try adding a number or underscore to make it different.

The game also blocks names that contain profanity, even if spelled creatively or with numbers replacing letters. It blocks names that pretend to be real people, celebrities, or brands. It blocks names that reference drugs, violence, or other illegal activity. If your name is rejected for any of these reasons, the error message will usually say "Invalid username" without explaining which rule you broke — you will have to try a different name.

Technical glitches are rare but possible. If you see an error message that does not make sense, close the app completely and reopen it, then try again. If the same error appears twice, wait a few minutes and try once more. If the problem continues, the issue may be on Niantic's servers rather than your phone.

How to plan ahead if you want to change your username regularly

Mark the date 30 days from now on your phone's calendar. This is the earliest you can make your next change. Some players keep a note of their username change dates so they do not forget when they become available again.

If you know you want to change your name soon, do it now rather than waiting. There is no penalty for changing your username frequently — you are only limited by the 30-day timer between changes. Some players rotate through different names as a way to keep their account feeling fresh.

Keep in mind that other players see your username in gyms, raids, and PvP battles. If you change your name often, people you battle regularly may not recognize you at first. This is not a problem in most cases, but it is worth knowing if you play with the same group of people regularly.

What to do if you forgot your username or cannot access your account

If you cannot remember your current username, open Pokémon GO and look at your profile — your username appears at the top of the screen. If you cannot log into your account at all, you will need to recover your account through the login screen rather than change your username.

Pokémon GO accounts are tied to either a Google account, a Pokémon Trainer Club account, or an Apple ID, depending on which you used to sign up. If you cannot log in, go to the login screen and select "Forgot password?" or "Need help signing in?" — this will walk you through recovering access to whichever account type you used.

Once you regain access to your account, you can change your username normally through the Settings menu. If you are still locked out after trying to recover your account, you can contact Niantic's support team through the in-game help menu or at their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. The 30-day timer is fixed and cannot be shortened. You must wait the full 30 days between changes, with no exceptions or ways to speed up the process. Niantic does not offer paid options to change your username more frequently.

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

Yes. Your friends list does not change when you update your username. They will still see you as a friend, and your new name will appear in their friend list the next time the app syncs. You will also still see them in your friend list.

What if someone else takes my old username after I change it?

Once you change your username, the old one is when ready available for anyone else to claim. There is no way to reserve it or get it back. If you want to keep a username, do not change it.

Can I use special characters like @ or # in my username?

No. Pokémon GO only allows letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_). Spaces, punctuation, and special characters are not permitted. The game will reject your name if it contains anything outside these three categories.

Does changing my username affect my Pokémon or items?

No. Your Pokémon, items, Poké Balls, potions, and everything else in your inventory stays exactly the same. Changing your username is purely cosmetic and does not reset or modify any part of your account.