Yes, you can change your Twitch username, but only once every 60 days
Twitch allows you to change the username associated with your account once per 60-day period. When you change it, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short window. Your channel URL, followers, and broadcast history all move with your new name — nothing gets lost or reset.
The change takes effect when ready across your entire account. Anyone following you will see your new name the next time they visit your channel. If you stream while the change is processing, your new name appears in the broadcast information right away.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your username once every 60 days through your account settings under "Username".
- Your channel URL, followers, subscriber list, and all past broadcasts stay with your account under the new name.
- Your old username becomes available for others to claim after approximately 30 days, so choose carefully if you want to reclaim it later.
- Changing your username does not affect your channel points, bits, or any monetization you have set up.
- If you change your name and then want to change it back within 60 days, you will have to wait until the 60-day window passes from your first change.
Where to find the username change option
Log into your Twitch account and go to Settings in the top right corner. Select Account from the left menu. You will see a section labeled Username with your current name displayed. Click the pencil icon or the Change button next to it.
Twitch will show you when you are may be able to access to change again if you have changed your name recently. If you changed your username fewer than 60 days ago, the button will be grayed out and will tell you the exact date you can change next.
What you need to know before you change
Your new username must be between 4 and 25 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Twitch will tell you when ready if the name you want is already taken or violates their username policy. You cannot use spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods.
Think about whether you want to keep your old username reserved. After you change your name, your old one enters a grace period of roughly 30 days during which no one else can claim it. After that window closes, anyone can register it. If you think you might want to use that name again someday, you have about a month to change back before it is gone for good.
What stays the same when you change your username
Your channel URL updates automatically to reflect your new name. All your followers stay subscribed to your channel — they do not have to re-follow you. Your subscriber list, donation history, and channel points all remain intact. Any monetization you have set up, including affiliate status or partnership agreements, continues without interruption.
Your past broadcasts and clips stay on your channel and remain searchable under your new name. Moderators and bots you have set up will continue to work. Your channel settings, panels, and overlays do not change. The only thing that changes is the name people see and use to find you.
The 60-day waiting period and what it means
The 60-day timer starts from the moment you confirm your username change. If you change your name on January 15, you cannot change it again until March 16. This applies whether you want to change to a completely new name or change back to your old one.
Twitch enforces this limit to prevent spam and account takeover attempts. It also keeps people from rapidly cycling through usernames to confuse their audience or manipulate search results. If you are locked out of changing your name, the only way forward is to wait until the 60 days have passed.
If your desired username is taken
Twitch will tell you when ready if the name you want is already in use. You cannot reserve a username or put yourself on a waiting list for one. Your only options are to choose a different name or wait to see if the person using it ever changes their name or deletes their account.
If you are trying to reclaim a username you used to have, remember that it becomes available to others after roughly 30 days. If someone else has claimed it in the meantime, you would need to contact Twitch support to discuss your situation, though they typically do not reassign usernames that are actively in use by another account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my followers see my old username anywhere after I change?
No. Your followers will see your new username everywhere — in their follow list, on your channel page, and in chat. Twitch updates the name across the entire platform when ready. Old clips or screenshots from before the change will still show your old name, but that is the only place it remains visible.
Can I change my username if I have an active stream going?
Yes, you can change your username while streaming. The change takes effect right away, and your new name will appear in the broadcast information. Viewers do not need to refresh or rejoin — they will straightforward see your new name the next time they look at the channel details.
What happens to my channel URL when I change my username?
Your channel URL changes to match your new username. If you were at twitch.tv/oldname, you will now be at twitch.tv/newname. Old links to your channel will not work, so if you have your URL posted anywhere, you should update those links to avoid confusion.
Can I get my old username back if someone else takes it?
If someone else claims your old username after the 30-day grace period, Twitch does not reassign usernames that are actively in use. You would need to contact Twitch support to explain the situation, but they typically cannot help unless the account using your old name is violating their terms of service.
Does changing my username affect my Twitch Partner or Affiliate status?
No. Your Partner or Affiliate status stays active under your new username. Your revenue, subscriber count, and all monetization features continue without interruption. The change is purely cosmetic from Twitch's backend perspective.