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

Twitch allows you to change the username tied to your account. The change takes effect when ready across your channel, chat history, and profile. However, there is a waiting period: you must wait 60 days between username changes. If you changed your username recently, you will see a countdown timer showing when you can change it again.

The username you choose becomes your channel URL. If your current username is twitch.tv/oldname, and you change it to newname, your channel becomes twitch.tv/newname. The old URL stops working, though Twitch may redirect traffic for a period of time.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 60 days through your account settings under Security and Privacy.
  • Your new username becomes your channel URL when ready, and the old URL will no longer direct people to your channel.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, channel points, or subscription history — those stay with your account.
  • Your new username must be between 4 and 25 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot already be taken by another account.
  • If someone else claims your old username after you change it, you cannot reclaim it unless Twitch suspends that account.

Where to find the username change option

Log into your Twitch account and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Select Security and Privacy from the left menu. Scroll down until you see Username. If you have not changed your username in the past 60 days, you will see a button that says Change Username. Click it.

Twitch will ask you to confirm your password before letting you proceed. Enter your password and click Continue. You will then see a text field where you can type your new username. Twitch checks in real time whether the name is available — if it is taken, you will see a red message saying so. Once you find an available name you want, click Change Username to confirm.

What stays the same when you change your username

Your followers do not disappear. Everyone who followed your old channel still follows your new one. Your channel points, emotes, and subscription history remain attached to your account. Clips, videos, and past broadcasts stay on your channel. Moderators and banned users stay in your channel settings. Your account creation date and account level do not change.

What does change is the URL. Anyone who bookmarked twitch.tv/oldname will find a dead link. Clips that were shared with your old username in the URL will still work, but new clips will use your new username. If you have a custom URL through Twitch Affiliate or Partner status, that URL may need to be updated separately — check your channel settings under Branding to confirm.

Rules for choosing a new username

Your username must be between 4 and 25 characters long. It can contain letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores only — no spaces, hyphens, or special characters. Twitch does not allow usernames that are already taken, even if the account is inactive or suspended. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so MyName and myname are treated as the same name.

Avoid usernames that are too similar to existing streamers or celebrities, as this can confuse viewers and may violate Twitch's impersonation policy if done intentionally. Twitch reserves the right to reclaim usernames that violate its Community Guidelines, so usernames containing slurs or hateful language will be rejected.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, it becomes available for anyone else to claim. If another user takes it within hours or days, you cannot get it back unless Twitch suspends that account. Twitch does not hold old usernames in reserve for previous owners. This is why some streamers who rebrand keep their old username by creating a second account — they change their main account's name and use the secondary account to hold the old name.

If your old username had significant brand value or you think you might want it back, consider whether you truly need to change it before you do. Once it is gone, reclaiming it is not possible through normal channels.

The 60-day waiting period explained

Twitch enforces a 60-day cooldown between username changes to prevent account takeovers and rapid impersonation. If someone gains unauthorized access to your account, they cannot when ready change your username and lock you out. The cooldown gives you time to regain control and change your password before the attacker can rebrand your channel.

The timer resets each time you change your username. If you changed your username on January 1st, you cannot change it again until March 1st. If you try to change it before that date, Twitch will show you exactly how many days remain. There is no way to bypass this waiting period, even if you contact Twitch support.

When you might want to change your username

Streamers change usernames when rebranding their channel, moving to a new game or content type, or distancing themselves from an old identity. Some change because their old name no longer reflects who they are. Others change because their username was created years ago and they now prefer something different.

Before you change, think about whether your current username is tied to your brand. If you have built an audience under your current name, changing it means your followers have to learn the new one. Your channel URL changes, so any links you have shared online will break. If you stream on multiple platforms, changing your Twitch name but not your YouTube or Discord name can confuse viewers about where to find you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes, but only once every 60 days. After you change your username, you must wait 60 days before changing it again. Twitch shows you a countdown timer in your Settings if you have recently changed your name.

What if my desired username is taken?

You cannot use a username that another account already has. Twitch checks availability in real time as you type. If the name is taken, try adding a number, underscore, or variation. If the account holding that name is inactive, you still cannot claim it — Twitch does not reassign old usernames.

Will my followers be notified when I change my username?

Twitch does not send a notification to your followers when you change your username. Your followers stay subscribed to your account, but they will see your new name the next time they visit your channel. If you want to tell them about the change, announce it in your Discord, social media, or during a stream.

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Only if no one else has claimed it. If you changed from oldname to newname and someone else took oldname, you cannot change back to it. If oldname is still available, you can change back to it after your 60-day cooldown ends, but you will then have to wait another 60 days before changing again.

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

No. Your Partner or Affiliate status stays with your account regardless of username changes. Your revenue, subscriptions, and bits remain tied to your account. However, if you have a custom URL through your Partner status, double-check your channel settings to make sure it still points to the right place.