Yes, you can change your Twitch username, but only once every 60 days

Twitch lets you change the username you log in with and display on your channel, but the platform enforces a 60-day waiting period between changes. This means if you changed your name last month, you cannot change it again for another month. The change takes effect when ready once you submit it, and your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period.

The process itself takes about two minutes and happens entirely in your account settings. You do not need to contact Twitch support unless something goes wrong during the change, and there is no cost.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Twitch username once every 60 days through your account settings, with no exceptions for new accounts or special circumstances.
  • Your channel URL, follower count, and stream history all stay attached to your account after a name change — only the display name updates.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to claim after you change it, so someone else can take it if you do not reclaim it yourself.
  • Changing your username does not affect your login email, password, or any connected services like YouTube or Discord.
  • If you have a Twitch Partner or Affiliate status, your contract and revenue stay tied to your account regardless of the name change.

How to change your username in Twitch settings

Log into your Twitch account and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Click Account in the left menu, then scroll down to the Username field. You will see your current name and a button that says Change next to it. Click that button.

Type your new username into the box that appears. Twitch will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or if it breaks the platform's naming rules (no spaces, no special characters except underscores, between 4 and 25 characters). Once you enter a name that works, click Confirm. The change is live within seconds.

If the Change button is greyed out, you changed your username within the last 60 days and must wait until the timer runs out. Twitch shows you exactly when you can change it again.

What stays the same after you change your name

Your channel URL, follower list, subscriber list, and all past streams remain attached to your account. People who follow you will still see your new name in their follow list, and your channel page will show the new name when ready. Your channel URL does not change — if your old URL was twitch.tv/oldname, it becomes twitch.tv/newname, and the old URL stops working.

Your Partner or Affiliate status, revenue, and any contracts stay active under your account. Subscribers and followers do not have to re-follow or re-subscribe. Moderators and VIPs in your channel keep their roles. The only thing that changes is the name people see and type.

What happens to your old username

After you change your name, your old username enters a holding period where no one else can claim it. This period typically lasts 30 days, though Twitch does not publish the exact length. After that window closes, anyone can register the old name. If you want to keep the old name for yourself later, you cannot — once it is released, it is gone.

If you change your mind within the 60-day waiting period, you can change back to your old name before someone else takes it. After the holding period ends, you would have to wait for someone to abandon the old name, which is not something you can control.

Reasons Twitch might block a username change

Twitch rejects usernames that contain spaces, most special characters (except underscores), numbers at the start, or words the platform flags as inappropriate. The name must be between 4 and 25 characters. If you see an error message, try removing numbers, shortening the name, or replacing spaces with underscores.

If your account was created very recently, you might not be able to change your name yet — Twitch sometimes restricts this on brand-new accounts for a few days. If you hit this issue, wait a week and try again. If you still cannot change your name and you have not changed it before, contact Twitch support through the Help section of your settings.

How a username change affects your login

Your login email and password do not change when you update your username. You still log in with the same email address you registered with, not with your display name. This means if someone knows your old username, they cannot use it to log into your account — they would need your email and password.

Any connected accounts (Discord, YouTube, Twitch extensions) stay connected to your Twitch account. Changing your Twitch name does not disconnect these services or require you to re-authenticate them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 60 days?

No. Twitch enforces a strict 60-day cooldown between changes with no exceptions. If you need to change your name urgently, you cannot bypass this rule. Plan your username change carefully since you are locked into it for two months.

Will my followers and subscribers know I changed my name?

Your followers and subscribers will see your new name the next time they visit your channel or check their follow list. They do not receive a notification about the change, and they do not have to take any action. Their subscriptions and follows remain active.

Can I get my old username back after someone else takes it?

No. Once the 30-day holding period ends and someone else claims your old username, you cannot reclaim it. Twitch does not reserve old usernames for previous owners. If you think you might want the old name back, change it back yourself before the holding period expires.

Does changing my username affect my Twitch Partner or Affiliate status?

No. Your Partner or Affiliate status, earnings, and any contracts stay tied to your account regardless of the name change. Your revenue continues to accrue under your account, and you do not have to reapply or sign new agreements.

What if I see an error when I try to change my username?

The most common errors are that the name is taken, contains invalid characters, or is too short or too long. Check that your name has no spaces, uses only letters, numbers, and underscores, and is between 4 and 25 characters. If the error persists and you have not changed your name recently, contact Twitch support.