Where to find the username setting

Your Twitch username lives in your account settings, not in your profile or channel page. Log into Twitch on a web browser, click your profile icon in the top right corner, and select Settings from the dropdown menu. On the left sidebar, click Account. You will see a field labeled Username with your current name displayed.

The username field is read-only at first — you cannot edit it directly by clicking into it. Instead, look for a button or link next to the username field that says Change or Edit. Click that button to unlock the field and make your change. Type your new username into the field, then click the confirmation button to save it. Twitch will check whether the name is available and follows the format rules before allowing you to proceed.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Twitch username through Settings > Account on the web, not through the mobile app or your profile page.
  • Twitch allows one username change every 60 days, so choose carefully before you confirm.
  • 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, followers, or stream history — those all stay the same.
  • If your desired username is taken, you will see an error message and must pick a different one before saving.

Rules for what your new username can be

Twitch enforces specific rules about username format. Your new name must be between 4 and 25 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase both work), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or special characters like @, #, or $.

Your username cannot start with a number — it must begin with a letter or underscore. Twitch also reserves certain usernames for internal use or brand protection, so some names you might want will be unavailable even if no one is using them. If you try a name and see the message "This username is unavailable," that name is either taken or reserved.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 60 days. Twitch enforces this rule to prevent confusion in the community and to stop people from rapidly cycling through names to evade bans or moderation. The 60-day timer starts the moment you confirm your change, not when you click the Edit button.

Before you click the final confirmation button, take a moment to verify the spelling and make sure it is what you actually want. There is no way to undo the change or shorten the waiting period if you change your mind when ready after. If you realize your mistake within a few minutes, contact Twitch Support right away — they occasionally reverse very recent changes, but this is not may provide.

What stays the same after you change your username

Your channel URL does not change. If your old URL was twitch.tv/oldname, it will automatically redirect to your new username, so old links still work. Your followers, subscriber list, and all your past streams remain attached to your account. Chat history, moderation logs, and channel points all stay in place.

Your display name — the name that appears in chat and on your profile — is separate from your username. If you want your display name to look different from your username (for example, with capital letters or spaces), you can set that separately in the same Settings > Account section. Changing your username does not touch your display name unless you change it yourself.

Troubleshooting if the change does not go through

If you click the confirmation button and nothing happens, refresh the page and check your Settings > Account again. Sometimes the change goes through but the page does not update when ready. If you see an error message, read it carefully — it will tell you whether the username is taken, violates the format rules, or is reserved by Twitch.

If you are certain the username follows the rules (4–25 characters, letters or numbers or underscores only, starts with a letter or underscore) and you still cannot change it, try logging out completely and logging back in. Clear your browser cache if you are using the same browser. If the problem persists, contact Twitch Support through the Help Center on the Twitch website.

Changing your username on mobile

The Twitch mobile app does not have a username change option. You must use a web browser on a computer or phone to make this change. Open twitch.tv in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or another browser, log in, and follow the steps above. The mobile web version of Twitch has the same Settings menu as the desktop version.

If you are on a phone and want to avoid typing on a small keyboard, you can bookmark the Settings > Account page so you can return to it quickly the next time you want to make a change. The web browser method works identically whether you are on an iPhone, Android phone, tablet, or computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one after 60 days?

Yes, after 60 days have passed since your last change, you can change your username to anything available — including your previous username. However, if someone else claimed your old username in the meantime, you cannot use it until they change theirs or their account is inactive for a long period.

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

No. Your Partner status, affiliate status, subscriptions, and all monetization features stay attached to your account. The change is purely cosmetic and does not affect any of your account privileges or earnings.

What happens to my old username after I change it?

Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a waiting period. Twitch does not when ready release old usernames — there is typically a delay of several months before another user can take it. During that time, your old channel URL still redirects to your new username.

Can I use special characters like hyphens or periods in my username?

No. Twitch usernames can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Hyphens, periods, spaces, and special characters are not allowed. If you want your display name to look different, you can customize that separately in your account settings.