Where to find the username change option

Log into your Twitch account and go to your account settings. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner, then select Settings. On the left side, click Account. You will see a field labeled Username with your current name displayed.

Next to your username, you should see a Change button or link. Click it to open the change form. Twitch will ask you to confirm your password before letting you proceed — this is a security step to make sure someone else hasn't accessed your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 60 days through your account settings, not through your channel page.
  • Your new username must be between 4 and 25 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot start with a number.
  • Changing your username does not affect your channel URL, follower count, or stream history — those stay the same.
  • If your desired username is taken, Twitch will tell you when ready and you will need to choose a different one.

Rules for your new username

Twitch has specific rules about what characters and length your username can be. Your new name must be between 4 and 25 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores only — no spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @ or #.

Your username cannot start with a number. For example, "2cool" is not allowed, but "cool2" is fine. Twitch also checks whether the name you want is already taken by another account. If it is, the system will reject it and ask you to try a different name.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

You can only change your username once every 60 days. If you have changed it recently, Twitch will show you the date when you will be able to change it again. This limit applies whether you changed it yourself or Twitch changed it for you (which happens rarely, usually for violations of their username policy).

If you are locked into a 60-day wait, you cannot bypass it by contacting support. Plan your username change carefully so you do not waste your one change per 60 days on a name you will want to swap out quickly.

What stays the same after you change your username

Your channel URL, follower count, subscriber list, and all past streams and videos remain unchanged when you update your username. People who follow you will still see your channel in their list, and the link they bookmarked will still work. Your display name (the name that appears on screen during streams) is separate from your username and does not change automatically.

If you want your display name to match your new username, you will need to change that separately in the same Settings menu under Profile. This is useful if you want your on-screen name and your login name to be the same.

Changing your display name separately

Your display name is what viewers see in chat and on your channel page. Your username is what you use to log in. These are two different things. When you change your username, your display name does not update automatically.

To change your display name, go to Settings, click Profile, and look for the Display Name field. You can change this as often as you want with no waiting period. Many streamers keep their display name the same even if they change their username, so viewers recognize them by the name they see on stream.

If your desired username is unavailable

Twitch will tell you when ready if the username you want is already taken. You cannot reserve a username or join a waitlist for one. You will need to choose a different name and try again.

If you are trying to claim a username that belongs to an inactive account, you cannot take it. Twitch does not recycle old usernames from deleted or abandoned accounts. Your only option is to pick a variation — for example, adding numbers or underscores to a name you like.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you cannot find the Change button next to your username, you may still be within your 60-day waiting period. Check the message Twitch displays — it will tell you the exact date you can change again. If you see an error message when you try to submit your new username, the most common reasons are that the name is taken, contains invalid characters, or is fewer than 4 characters long.

If you are having trouble accessing your account settings at all, make sure you are logged in and that you are using the main Twitch website, not a mobile app (the mobile app does not always show all settings options). If you still cannot find the username change option after checking all of this, you can contact Twitch support through their help center, though they cannot override the 60-day limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Twitch enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between username changes. This applies to all accounts, and support cannot make exceptions or speed up the timer. Plan your change carefully.

Will my followers see my old username or my new one?

Your followers will see your new username when ready. Their follow list will update to show your new name, and any links to your channel will still work because they are based on your account ID, not your username.

Can I change my username on mobile?

The Twitch mobile app does not show the username change option. You will need to use a web browser on a computer or tablet to access your account settings and make the change.

What if someone is impersonating me with a similar username?

Report the account to Twitch through their reporting system. Go to the impersonator's channel, click the menu icon, and select Report User. Describe the impersonation in the report. Twitch reviews these reports, though response time varies.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Changing your username does not affect your password or security settings. Your password stays the same, and you will continue to log in with your new username.