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

Twitch allows you to change the username you log in with, but the platform enforces a 60-day waiting period between changes. This means if you changed your username last month, you cannot change it again for another month or so. 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.

Your channel URL, chat history, followers, and all your content stay attached to your account — they do not disappear or reset when you change your username. What changes is the name people see when they visit your channel and the name you use to log in.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Twitch username once every 60 days through your account settings, and the change takes effect right away.
  • Your channel, followers, stream history, and all content remain on your account after a username change.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use after a few hours, so someone else may claim it.
  • If you change your username, tell your regular viewers and update any links you have posted elsewhere, because your old name will no longer lead to your channel.
  • You cannot reserve a username or change it more frequently than once per two months, even if you are a Twitch Partner or Affiliate.

How to change your username in Twitch settings

Log into your Twitch account and go to Settings in the top right corner. Click on the Account tab on the left side. You will see a field labeled "Username" with your current name displayed. Click the pencil icon or "Edit" button next to it.

Type your new username into the field. Twitch will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or if it breaks the platform's naming rules — usernames must be 4 to 25 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot start with a number. Once you enter a name that is available, click "Change Username" to confirm.

The change is permanent and takes effect within seconds. You will be logged out and will need to log back in using your new username.

What stays the same after you change your username

Your Twitch channel itself does not change. Your followers still follow you, your subscriber list remains intact, and anyone who has you bookmarked will still see your channel when they visit their bookmarks. All your past streams, clips, and videos stay on your channel under your new username.

Your channel URL also stays the same — it is based on your account ID, not your username. If someone had a link to twitch.tv/youroldname, that link will break, but your actual channel at twitch.tv/youraccountid (which you can find in your channel settings) never changes.

What happens to your old username

After you change your username, Twitch holds your old name for a few hours before releasing it back into the pool of available usernames. This means someone else can claim it. If you are worried about someone impersonating you or stealing your old name, you have a few hours to decide whether to create a second account and claim it yourself — but Twitch does not reserve old usernames for you.

Any links or mentions of your old username will no longer point to your channel. If you have posted your Twitch link on social media, in your Discord server, or anywhere else, those links will be broken after the change.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Twitch enforces a hard 60-day rule. You cannot change your username again until 60 days have passed since your last change, regardless of whether you are a streamer, Affiliate, Partner, or regular viewer. This rule applies to everyone equally.

If you try to change your username before 60 days have passed, Twitch will show you a message telling you when you will be able to change it next. There is no way to bypass this waiting period or request an exception.

Updating your presence after a username change

After you change your username, update any links you have shared publicly. If you have a personal website, Discord server, or social media profiles that link to your Twitch channel, change those links to point to your channel URL (twitch.tv/youraccountid) instead of your username. This way, the links will still work even if you change your username again in the future.

Let your regular viewers and community know about the change. Post an announcement in your Discord, on your social media, or in your channel panels so people do not think your account was hacked or that you disappeared. Many streamers lose viewers straightforward because people cannot find them under their new name.

If you want to change your display name instead

Twitch also has a separate "Display Name" setting that is different from your username. Your display name is what appears in chat and on your channel, while your username is what you use to log in. You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period.

To change your display name, go to Settings, click Account, and look for the "Display Name" field. This is useful if you want to change how your name appears to viewers without affecting your login credentials or triggering the 60-day cooldown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my followers disappear if I change my username?

No. Your followers stay on your account because they follow your account ID, not your username. They will see your new username the next time they visit your channel, but they will not be unfollowed.

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. After you change your username, your old name becomes available to anyone. If someone else takes it, you cannot use it again unless they change their username first.

What if I change my username and then want to change it again?

You must wait 60 days from the date of your last change. Twitch will show you the exact date you can change it again in your account settings.

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

No. Your Partner or Affiliate status is tied to your account, not your username. The status stays active after a username change.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my new username?

No. Twitch usernames can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols are not allowed.