Your username appears in three places within the game

Your Pokémon GO username is displayed at the top of your trainer profile, in your friend list when others search for you, and on your trainer card that other players see when you trade or battle. To find it, open Pokémon GO and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. The name that appears under your avatar — not your real name or email — is your username.

If you do not see a name under your avatar, you may not have set a username yet. New accounts created through Google or Pokémon Trainer Club sometimes skip the username setup step. In that case, you will need to create one before other players can add you as a friend.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Pokémon GO username is shown on your trainer profile card, which you reach by tapping the profile icon in the bottom right of the main game screen.
  • The username is separate from your real name, email address, or the account name you use to log in.
  • If no username appears on your profile, you have not yet created one and will need to set one up before other players can find you.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days through the same profile settings where you view it.

Check your profile card to see the exact name others use to find you

When you tap your profile icon, the screen that opens shows your trainer card. This is what other players see when you trade with them or when they search for your name to add you as a friend. The name displayed here is the one you need to give to friends who want to connect with you in the game.

Below your username, you will also see your trainer level, your Pokédex count, and your total distance walked. These details help confirm you are looking at the right account if you have multiple Pokémon GO profiles.

Distinguish your username from your login account name

Your Pokémon GO username is not the same as the email address or account name you use to log into the game. If you signed in through Google, your login email is separate. If you use a Pokémon Trainer Club account, your login name is separate. The username is what you chose specifically for Pokémon GO and what appears on your trainer card.

This matters because you cannot log in using your Pokémon GO username — you must use your original Google account or Pokémon Trainer Club credentials. But when you give your username to friends, they use that name to search for you in the friend list, not your email or login account.

Create a username if your profile shows none

If you open your profile and see no name under your avatar, tap the area where a name would appear. The game will prompt you to create a username. Choose a name that is at least three characters long and contains only letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and special characters are not allowed.

Once you create a username, it becomes permanent for 30 days. After that period, you can change it once every 30 days. If you want to change your username now, you will see a "Change Nickname" button on your profile if you are may be able to access to do so.

Use your username to add friends and join raids

Once you have located your username, you can share it with other players who want to add you as a friend. They will search for your exact username in the friend list section of the game. Your username also appears when you join raid battles at gyms, so other players in the same raid can see who they are fighting alongside.

Keep in mind that usernames are case-sensitive in some contexts, so if your username contains capital letters, make sure you tell friends the exact spelling and capitalization. This prevents them from searching for a name that does not match.

What to do if you cannot find your username

If you have opened your profile and still cannot locate a username, check that you are looking at the right account. Log out of Pokémon GO completely and log back in to make sure you are viewing the correct trainer profile. If you have multiple accounts, each one will have its own separate username.

If you are still unable to see a username after logging back in, your account may not have completed the setup process. Try closing the app entirely and reopening it. If the problem continues, you may need to create a username from scratch using the prompt that appears on your profile screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Pokémon GO username the same as my email address?

No. Your username is a separate name you chose for Pokémon GO. Your email is what you use to log into the game. Other players search for your username to add you as a friend, not your email address.

Can I see my username on my trainer card?

Yes. Your trainer card is the first thing you see when you tap your profile icon. The name displayed at the top of that card is your username. This is the name other players see when you trade or battle with them.

What if I forgot my username?

Open Pokémon GO and tap your profile icon in the bottom right. Your username will be displayed on your trainer card. If no name appears, you have not yet created one and can set one up by tapping the empty name area.

Can I change my username right now?

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you created or last changed your username more than 30 days ago, a "Change Nickname" button will appear on your profile. If the button is not there, you will need to wait until the 30-day period has passed.

Why do my friends say they cannot find my username?

Check that you have given them the exact spelling and capitalization of your username. Usernames are case-sensitive, so "Trainer123" is different from "trainer123". Also make sure they are searching in the friend list section of the game, not in a search engine or other app.