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, then tap "Change Nickname". Type your new username — it can be 1 to 16 characters long and include letters, numbers, 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 do not need to log out or restart the app. Your new name will appear on your trainer card, in raid groups, and in any PvP battles you join. The old name disappears completely once you confirm the change.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the cooldown timer starts the moment you confirm the change.
  • Usernames must be between 1 and 16 characters and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores — no spaces or special characters.
  • Niantic reserves the right to reset your username if it violates their code of conduct, which includes profanity, slurs, or impersonation of real people.
  • If you change your username and then regret it, you have to wait 30 days before you can change it again.

What characters and symbols are allowed in a Pokémon GO username

Pokémon GO accepts uppercase and lowercase letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other punctuation are not allowed. If you try to use a forbidden character, the app will reject your entry and ask you to try again.

The underscore is useful if you want to separate words — for example, "Trainer_Blue" instead of "TrainerBlue". Many players use underscores to make their names more readable, especially if they are using a long combination of letters and numbers.

The 30-day waiting period between username changes

Once you confirm a new username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The timer begins the moment you tap the checkmark, not at midnight or on any other schedule. If you change your name on a Tuesday at 3 p.m., you can change it again on the following Tuesday at 3 p.m.

This cooldown applies to every player, regardless of how long you have been playing or what level you are. There is no way to bypass it or reset the timer early. If you are unhappy with a name choice, you will need to wait the full 30 days before you can try again.

Why Niantic might reset your username without warning

Niantic's code of conduct prohibits usernames that contain profanity, slurs, hate speech, or real names of public figures or celebrities. Usernames that impersonate official Niantic accounts or other players are also against the rules. If a username violates these rules, Niantic can reset it to a generic placeholder like "Trainer_12345" without asking you first.

You will receive a notification in the app if your username has been reset. At that point, you can choose a new one when ready — the 30-day cooldown does not explore to forced resets. However, if your name is reset a second time, Niantic may restrict your ability to change it in the future or take further action on your account.

Changing your username on different devices

The username change process is identical whether you play on iPhone or Android. Open the app, go to your profile, tap Settings, and select "Change Nickname". The change syncs across all devices automatically, so if you log into Pokémon GO on a tablet or a different phone, your new name will already be there.

If you have multiple Pokémon GO accounts linked to different Niantic accounts, each one has its own separate username and its own 30-day cooldown timer. Changing the name on one account does not affect the others.

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. If you change from "SylphRider" to "SylphRider2", another player could theoretically claim "SylphRider" within seconds. Niantic does not reserve old usernames or hold them for any length of time.

This means you should not rely on being able to switch back to an old name later. If you think you might want to use a name again in the future, write it down somewhere safe. Once someone else takes it, you cannot reclaim it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The 30-day cooldown is a hard limit for all players. You cannot pay money to skip it, and Niantic support cannot override it. The only exception is if your username is reset by Niantic for violating their code of conduct — in that case, you can choose a new name right away.

What if someone else takes the username I want?

Usernames are first-come, first-served. If another player claims the name you want, you cannot get it back. You will need to choose a different variation, such as adding a number or underscore. Niantic does not have a waitlist or reservation system for usernames.

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

No. Your username is purely cosmetic. Changing it does not alter your level, your Pokédex, your items, your buddy Pokémon, or anything else in your account. All your progress and data stay exactly the same.

Can I use spaces or special characters like hyphens in my username?

No. Pokémon GO only allows letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, periods, commas, and all other punctuation will be rejected. If you want to separate words, use an underscore instead.

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

You will see a notification in the app explaining that your username was reset. Go to your profile, tap Settings, and choose "Change Nickname" to pick a new one. Make sure your new name does not violate Niantic's code of conduct — avoid profanity, slurs, real names, or impersonation.