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 "Change Nickname". Type your new username — it can be 1 to 20 characters long and include letters, numbers, spaces, and some special characters like hyphens and underscores. Tap the checkmark to save. The change takes effect when ready in your game and becomes visible to other players right away.

You can only change your username once every 30 days. If you try to change it again before 30 days have passed since your last change, the game will show you a countdown timer telling you when you can change it next. This limit applies whether you changed it intentionally or had it reset by Niantic for violating the username policy.

Key Takeaways

  • Access the username change through your profile settings in the app — no website login or support ticket needed.
  • Your new name appears to other players when ready, so choose something you are comfortable with other trainers seeing.
  • Usernames cannot contain profanity, hate speech, or impersonation of real people or brands, or Niantic will reset it without warning.
  • You must wait 30 days between changes, so plan ahead if you want to adjust your name again soon.
  • If your username was reset by Niantic, you have the same 30-day waiting period before you can pick a new one.

What characters and length are allowed in a Pokémon GO username

Pokémon GO usernames can be between 1 and 20 characters. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, periods, and underscores. Some special characters like apostrophes may work, but the safest approach is to stick with letters, numbers, and the characters listed above.

Avoid usernames that look like they are trying to impersonate someone else, reference real people or brands, or contain slurs or hate speech. Niantic's automated system flags these and resets your username without asking first. If your name gets reset, you will see a notification in the app telling you to pick a new one, and you will have to wait 30 days before changing it again.

Why your username might have been reset

Niantic resets usernames that violate its username policy. The most common reasons are profanity, hate speech, impersonation of a real person or celebrity, impersonation of a brand or company, or usernames that are sexually explicit. The system uses both automated detection and player reports to catch these.

If your username was reset, you will see a message in the app asking you to choose a new one. You do not need to contact support — just open settings and pick a different name. However, you will still be subject to the 30-day waiting period before you can change it again, even though Niantic forced the reset.

How to pick a username that will not get reset

Choose a name that is original to you or clearly fictional. Avoid anything that could be mistaken for a real person's name, a celebrity, or a brand. Do not include slurs, curse words, or sexually explicit content. If you are unsure whether something crosses the line, err on the side of caution — it is easier to pick a safe name now than to have it reset later.

Many players use their real first name, a nickname, their Pokémon GO team name, or a combination of letters and numbers that is unique to them. These almost never get flagged. If you want to reference a Pokémon, a location, or an inside joke with friends, that is fine as long as it does not involve impersonation or hate speech.

What happens if you forget your username or want to change it before 30 days

If you forget your username, open the app and tap your profile icon — your current username appears at the top of your profile screen. You can see it there without needing to change it.

If you want to change your username but the 30-day timer has not expired, you will have to wait. The timer is strict — there is no way to bypass it or request an exception. Some players create a second account to use while they wait, but that account will be separate from your main game progress and Pokédex.

Changing your username on different devices

The username change process is the same whether you play on iPhone or Android. Open the app, tap your profile, tap settings, and select "Change Nickname". Your new username syncs across all devices you use to log into that account, so if you play on both a phone and a tablet, the change appears on both.

If you log out and back in on a different device, you will see your updated username when ready. The change is tied to your Pokémon GO account, not to any specific phone or tablet.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The 30-day waiting period is enforced by the game and cannot be skipped. If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed, the app will show you a timer with the exact date and time you can change it again.

What if someone else is using the username I want?

Pokémon GO allows multiple players to have the same username, so you can use a name even if another trainer has it. However, your username must still follow the policy — no profanity, impersonation, or hate speech, regardless of whether someone else has a similar name.

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

No. Your username is just a display name. Changing it does not affect your level, your caught Pokémon, your items, your Poké Coins, or anything else in your account. All your progress stays exactly the same.

Can I get my old username back if I change it?

Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for other players to use. You cannot reserve it or claim it back later. If you want to use that name again, you would have to wait until no one else is using it and then change to it during one of your 30-day windows.

What should I do if my username was reset by Niantic?

Open the app and you will see a notification asking you to choose a new username. Pick a name that follows the policy, tap the checkmark, and you are done. You will have to wait 30 days before changing it again, even though Niantic forced the reset.