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

Open Pokémon GO and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Select the settings gear icon, then tap "Username". You'll see your current name and a text box to enter a new one. Type your new username — it must be between 1 and 16 characters, can include letters, numbers, and underscores, but cannot contain spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods. Once you submit the change, the new name takes effect when ready in your game and on your trainer card.

The 30-day cooldown starts from the moment you complete the change, not from when you started the process. If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed, the game will show you a countdown timer telling you exactly when you can change it again. This limit applies whether you changed it yourself or Niantic (the company that makes Pokémon GO) changed it for you due to a violation of their username policy.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your username through your profile icon, then settings, then the Username option — the change happens in-game with no website login required.
  • Your new username must be 1 to 16 characters and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores; spaces and special characters are not allowed.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the timer starts when ready after you submit your change.
  • If your username was changed by Niantic for violating their policy, you must wait 30 days before you can choose a new one yourself.

What usernames Pokémon GO will not accept

Niantic blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, hate speech, or references to real people's names without permission. The filter is automated, so if you try to submit a name the system flags, you'll get an error message saying the username is unavailable — this does not mean someone else has it, only that it violates the policy. You can try a different variation: adding a number, using an underscore, or changing one letter often works if your intended name is close to a blocked word.

Usernames that impersonate Niantic staff, Pokémon Company employees, or famous people are also rejected. The system checks against a list of known names and will refuse the submission. If you want a username similar to a public figure's name but not identical — like "Ash_Trainer" instead of "Ash" — that usually passes the filter, though Niantic reserves the right to change any username they determine is misleading.

Changing your username on different devices

The process is the same whether you play on iPhone or Android: open the app, tap your profile, go to settings, and select Username. You do not need to log into a website or use a computer. If you play on multiple devices with the same account, changing your username on one device changes it everywhere — your account is linked to your Pokémon Trainer Club login or Google account, not to individual phones.

If you cannot find the Username option in settings, make sure you are running the latest version of Pokémon GO. Older versions sometimes lack this feature. Check your device's app store (Google Play for Android, App Store for iPhone) and update if an update is available. After updating, close the app completely and reopen it before trying again.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Your old username becomes available for other players to use when ready after you change it. Niantic does not hold old usernames in reserve. If you change from "RedTrainer" to "BlueTrainer", someone else can claim "RedTrainer" as soon as your change goes through. This means if you want to switch back to an old name later, you may not be able to — someone else might have taken it in the meantime.

Your Pokémon, your Pokedex progress, your items, and your trainer level all stay exactly the same. Only the name displayed on your trainer card and in battle changes. Other players you've battled or traded with will see your new name the next time they interact with you or look at your profile.

If Niantic changed your username for you

Niantic automatically changes usernames that violate their policy without warning. If you log in and your name has changed, it means the system flagged your previous username as breaking the rules. You cannot appeal the change or get your old name back. You must wait 30 days from the date Niantic changed it before you can select a new username yourself.

During that 30-day waiting period, you'll have a temporary username assigned by the system, usually something like "PokemonTrainer" followed by numbers. You can still play normally — the temporary name is just what other players see. After 30 days, go back to your profile settings and choose a new username that follows Niantic's policy.

Troubleshooting username change problems

If you see an error saying "Username unavailable" but you know the name does not violate the policy, try these steps: first, make sure you are not within 30 days of your last username change. Second, check that your username contains only letters, numbers, and underscores — no spaces or special characters. Third, restart the app completely by closing it and reopening it, then try again.

If the error persists, your username may be flagged by the automated filter even though it seems acceptable to you. Try a variation: add a number at the end, use an underscore in a different spot, or change one letter. If you believe your username was incorrectly flagged, you can contact Niantic support through the in-game help menu, though response times vary and they do not always reverse automated decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Pokémon GO enforces a strict 30-day cooldown between username changes. The timer starts the moment you submit a change, and you cannot bypass it. If you need to change your name urgently, you must wait the full 30 days.

Does changing my username affect my Pokémon or my progress?

No. Your Pokémon, items, trainer level, badges, and all progress remain exactly the same. Only the name displayed on your trainer card and in battles changes. Other players will see your new name, but your game data is unaffected.

What if someone else already has the username I want?

Usernames in Pokémon GO are unique, so if someone else has it, you cannot use it. Try a variation with a number or underscore. If the name is very common, it may already be taken by another player.

Can I change my username if I play on multiple devices?

Yes. Your account is linked to your Pokémon Trainer Club or Google login, so changing your username on any device changes it everywhere. You do not need to change it separately on each phone.

What characters can I use in my Pokémon GO username?

You can use letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or other special characters. Your username must be between 1 and 16 characters long.