Change your username through Twitch account settings

You can change your Twitch username by going to your account settings, finding the username field, and entering a new one. Twitch allows you to change your username once every 60 days. The process takes about two minutes and requires no special permissions — you just need to be logged into your account.

Start by logging into Twitch on a web browser (the mobile app does not have this option). Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Account and Privacy. You will see a field labeled Username with your current name displayed.

Click the Edit button next to your username. Type your new username in the text box that appears. Twitch will show you when ready whether the name is available — if it is taken, you will see a red X and a message saying the name is unavailable. Keep trying different names until you find one that is open.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 60 days through the Account and Privacy section of your settings.
  • Usernames must be between 4 and 25 characters and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
  • Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so choose carefully.
  • Changing your username does not affect your channel, followers, or any content you have created.

Rules for what your new username can be

Twitch has specific rules about what characters and length your username can have. Your username 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 #.

Usernames are not case-sensitive on Twitch, which means "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are treated as the same account. If you change only the capitalization of your current username, Twitch will not count it as a change and will let you do it when ready rather than making you wait 60 days.

Avoid usernames that look like they belong to someone famous or that impersonate another streamer, as Twitch may suspend your account. The platform also does not allow usernames that contain hate speech or slurs.

What happens to your old username and your channel

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for another person to claim when ready. This is permanent — you cannot get your old username back unless it has not been claimed by someone else and you wait for it to expire from their account (which takes months). Think carefully about your new username before you confirm the change.

Your channel, followers, subscriber list, and all your past broadcasts stay exactly the same. Your channel URL will update to match your new username, and anyone who visits your old URL will be automatically redirected to your new one. Followers will not be unfollowed, and you will not lose any of your channel data.

If you have a custom URL set up (like twitch.tv/yourname), it will update to your new username as well. Any links to your old custom URL will still work and redirect to the new one.

Waiting period between username changes

Twitch enforces a 60-day waiting period between username changes. This means once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 60 days. The timer starts the moment you confirm your new username, not when you click Edit.

If you try to change your username before 60 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you are may be able to access to change it again. The exact date and time will be shown in your account settings. There is no way to bypass this waiting period, even if you contact Twitch support.

Troubleshooting if your username change does not go through

If you click the change button and nothing happens, refresh the page and try again. Sometimes the page needs to reload to process the change. Make sure you are logged into the correct account — if you have multiple Twitch accounts, verify you are in the right one before making changes.

If you see an error message saying the username is unavailable, that name has been claimed by someone else. Try a different username. If you see a message about the 60-day waiting period, you will need to wait until that period ends before you can change your username again.

If the settings page will not load at all, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then log back in. If you are using an older browser, try a different one like Chrome or Firefox. Mobile browsers sometimes have trouble with the settings page, so use a desktop or laptop computer if possible.

Why you might want to change your username

Many streamers change their username when they rebrand their channel or want a name that better matches their content. Others change it because they started streaming under a name they no longer like, or because their old username is hard for viewers to spell or remember.

If you are starting to stream professionally or want to build a more serious presence, a username change can help you move away from an old account that had a different purpose. Just remember that you can only do this once every 60 days, so make sure your new name is one you will be happy with for a while.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on the Twitch mobile app?

No, you must use a web browser to change your username. The Twitch mobile app does not have the username change option. Log into Twitch on a computer or tablet using a web browser, go to Settings, and follow the steps from there.

What if someone else takes my old username?

Once you change your username, your old name is when ready available for anyone to claim. If someone takes it, you cannot get it back unless they abandon the account and Twitch recycles the username months later. Choose your new username carefully before confirming the change.

Will my followers be notified that I changed my username?

Your followers will not receive a notification about the change, but they will see your new username the next time they visit your channel. Your channel URL will update automatically, so old links to your profile will still work and redirect to your new username.

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

No, Twitch enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between changes. You cannot change your username again until 60 days have passed since your last change. Contacting support will not bypass this rule.

Does changing my username affect my Twitch Prime or subscriptions?

No, your subscriptions, Prime Gaming benefits, and all other account features remain unchanged. Your subscriber list stays the same, and subscribers will continue to see your new username when they visit your channel.