You can change your Twitch username once every 60 days through your account settings

Log into your Twitch account, go to Settings, select Channel, and look for the "Username" field. Click the pencil icon next to your current name, type your new username, and click Save. Twitch will confirm the change when ready. The whole process takes about two minutes.

Your new username becomes active right away. Followers stay with your account, your channel URL updates automatically, and your chat history remains intact. The old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period, so if you change your mind later, you cannot reclaim it.

You are limited to one username change every 60 days. If you try to change it again before that window closes, Twitch will show you the exact date when you can make another change. This limit exists to prevent username squatting and keep the platform stable.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 60 days by going to Settings > Channel > Username and clicking the pencil icon.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready, and all your followers, channel history, and content stay with your account.
  • The old username becomes available for others to claim after you change it, so you cannot get it back later.
  • Twitch enforces a 60-day waiting period between changes to prevent people from rapidly cycling through usernames.
  • Your channel URL, display name, and all saved settings update automatically when you change your username.

What happens to your followers and channel history

Your followers do not need to do anything. They remain subscribed to your channel and will see your new username in their followed channels list. Their subscription status, tier level, and any custom emotes tied to their subscription all stay the same.

Your chat history, clips, VODs, and past broadcasts all stay on your channel. Viewers can still find and watch old content. The only thing that changes is the name displayed next to those messages and videos.

If you have moderators or editors on your channel, they keep their roles. You do not need to re-invite them or reset permissions. Bots that are connected to your channel continue to work without reconfiguration.

Usernames Twitch will not let you use

Twitch blocks usernames that are already taken, even if the account has been inactive for years. You cannot use a username someone else owns, regardless of whether they stream regularly.

The platform also rejects usernames that contain certain words, impersonate staff members, or look like official Twitch accounts. Usernames with consecutive underscores, spaces, or special characters beyond underscores are not allowed. Twitch will tell you when ready if your choice violates these rules and suggest you try a different name.

Usernames are case-insensitive on Twitch, so "MyName" and "myname" are treated as the same account. You cannot create a second account with a username that differs only in capitalization.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you must wait exactly 60 days before changing it again. Twitch displays a countdown timer in your Settings showing when you become may be able to access for the next change. This timer starts the moment you save your new username, not when you click the change button.

If you try to change your username before the 60 days are up, Twitch will show you the remaining time and block the change. There is no way to speed up this timer or request an exception. The only option is to wait until the countdown reaches zero.

Plan your username changes carefully because of this limit. If you change to a name you dislike after 30 days, you still have to wait another 30 days before you can change again.

How your channel URL and display name work separately

Your username is what appears in your channel URL: twitch.tv/yourname. When you change your username, this URL changes automatically. Old links to your channel still work — Twitch redirects them to your new URL — but bookmarks and shared links will show your new name.

Your display name is different from your username. The display name is what viewers see in chat and on your channel page. You can change your display name as often as you want in Settings > Channel > Display Name, and it does not count toward the 60-day username limit.

Many streamers use a display name that differs from their username for branding reasons. For example, your username might be "streamer123" but your display name could be "Streamer" or "⚡ Streamer ⚡". Changing the display name does not affect your username or channel URL.

What to do if your desired username is taken

If the username you want is already claimed, you have a few options. You can add numbers or underscores to make it unique: "username1" or "user_name" instead of "username". You can also check whether the account holding that name is active by visiting twitch.tv/username. If the account has no content and has not streamed in years, you could try contacting Twitch Support to ask about account reclamation policies, though Twitch rarely transfers usernames from inactive accounts.

Another approach is to choose a different username now and revisit your preferred name later. If the person holding it eventually closes their account or Twitch reclaims it for inactivity, the username may become available. You can check back periodically, though there is no notification system for when a username becomes free.

Some streamers build their brand around a slightly different username than their first choice and find success with it. Your username matters less than consistent streaming and community building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username if I have a Twitch Partner contract?

Yes. Partner status does not restrict username changes. You still follow the 60-day waiting period and the same rules as any other account. Notify your audience about the change so they know where to find you, but Twitch handles the technical side automatically.

What if I change my username and then want the old one back?

Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for others to claim. Twitch does not reserve old usernames for previous owners. If you want your old username back, you would have to wait for someone else to claim it, then hope they eventually abandon it — which is unlikely and not may provide.

Do I need to update my streaming software when I change my username?

No. Your streaming key and OAuth tokens remain the same. OBS, Streamlabs, and other broadcasting software will continue to work without any changes. Your channel URL updates automatically, but the backend connection stays intact.

Can I change my username on mobile?

The easiest way is through a web browser on any device. Open twitch.tv, log in, go to Settings > Channel, and change your username there. The Twitch mobile app does not have a dedicated username change option, so using a browser is faster.

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

No. Your account status, revenue sharing, and all benefits tied to Affiliate or Partner status remain active. The change is purely cosmetic from Twitch's system perspective.