You can change your Twitch username once every 60 days through your account settings
Twitch lets you change the name you log in with and the name that appears on your channel, but they work differently. Your login name (called your username) can be changed once every 60 days. Your display name, which is what viewers see on your channel and in chat, can be changed as often as you want. Most people want to change their display name because it shows up everywhere; the login username matters only when you sign in.
The process takes about two minutes. You go to your account settings, find the username section, type your new name, and confirm. Twitch checks whether the name is already taken. If it is, you pick something else. If it is not, the change goes live when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (what viewers see) can change as many times as you want, but your login username can only change once every 60 days.
- To change your display name, go to Settings, then Creator Dashboard, find Display Name, and save your new choice.
- To change your login username, go to Settings, find Username, and follow the prompt — you will see a countdown timer if you changed it recently.
- Twitch checks new usernames against existing accounts and reserved words, so some names will be rejected even if they seem available.
- Changing your username does not affect your followers, channel history, or any content you have uploaded.
How to change your display name (what viewers see)
Your display name is the easiest one to change because there is no waiting period. Log in to Twitch, click your profile icon in the top right, and select Settings. On the left side, click Creator Dashboard. Look for the Display Name field — it will show your current name. Click into the field, delete the old name, and type your new one.
Twitch allows display names up to 25 characters and does not require them to be unique. Two streamers can have the same display name. Once you type your new name and click Save, the change appears on your channel and in chat within seconds. You can change it again whenever you want with no cooldown.
How to change your login username (what you use to sign in)
Your login username is the name you type into the password field when you sign in. This one has a 60-day waiting period between changes. Go to Settings, scroll down to Username, and click Edit. Twitch will show you when you last changed it and when you can change it again. If you are within the 60-day window, you will see a countdown timer and a locked button.
If the 60 days have passed, you can type a new username. Twitch checks it against all existing accounts and a list of reserved names (like "admin" or "moderator"). If your choice is taken or reserved, Twitch tells you when ready and you can try another. Once you find one that works and click Confirm, the change takes effect right away. Your old login name becomes available for someone else to use after a short delay.
What happens to your channel, followers, and history
Changing either your display name or login username does not affect your channel, followers, or any content you have uploaded. Your follower count stays the same. Your stream history, clips, and videos remain on your channel. People who follow you will still see your streams in their feed, and your channel URL does not change.
The only thing that changes is the name itself. If someone bookmarked your old display name or wrote it down, they may not recognize you at first, but your channel URL (twitch.tv/yourname) stays the same, so anyone who visits that link will find you.
Why Twitch rejects some usernames
Twitch has a list of words and phrases it does not allow as usernames, even if no one is using them. These include profanity, slurs, and words associated with hate groups. Twitch also blocks usernames that look too much like official Twitch accounts or that impersonate public figures — for example, you cannot use "TwitchSupport" or "Elon" as your login username.
If a name you want is rejected, Twitch usually tells you why. If it says the name is reserved, it means Twitch is holding it. If it says the name is taken, someone else owns it. You can try adding a number, underscore, or different spelling. Twitch does not publish the full list of reserved words, so sometimes you have to try a few options before one goes through.
Changing your username on mobile
You can change your display name on the Twitch mobile app. Open the app, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, tap Settings, then tap Display Name. Type your new name and tap Save. The change appears when ready.
Changing your login username on mobile is harder because the full Settings menu is not always visible in the app. Most people do this on a computer by going to twitch.tv, signing in, and following the steps above. If you must use mobile, open Twitch in your phone's web browser instead of the app, and follow the same Settings path you would use on a computer.
What to do if you cannot change your username
If you see an error message when you try to change your username, the most common reason is that you are still within the 60-day waiting period. Check the countdown timer in the Username section — it will tell you exactly when you can change again.
If the timer shows zero and you still cannot change it, try signing out and signing back in. Sometimes Twitch needs a moment to update your account. If that does not work, go to the Twitch Help Center and search for "username". You can also contact Twitch Support through your Settings menu by clicking Help and Support, then Contact Us. Twitch support usually responds within a few hours during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Not when ready. Once you change your login username, you have to wait 60 days before you can change it again. If someone else takes your old name in the meantime, you cannot reclaim it. Your old display name becomes available right away for anyone to use.
Does changing my username affect my Twitch Prime or subscriptions?
No. Your subscriptions, Prime Gaming benefits, and any paid services stay attached to your account. Changing your name does not disconnect them. Subscribers will still see your new name on your channel.
What if someone else takes the username I want?
Usernames are first-come, first-served. If someone else claims it before you do, you cannot use it. You can try adding a number, underscore, or letter to make it unique. You can also check if the person using it is active — if their account has been inactive for a long time, Twitch may eventually free up the name, but this is not may provide.
Can I have a different login username and display name?
Yes. Your login username is what you type to sign in, and your display name is what viewers see. They can be completely different. Many streamers use a straightforward login username and a fancier display name with special characters or capitalization.
How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?
Display name changes appear within seconds on your channel and in chat. Login username changes also take effect when ready, but it may take a few minutes for the change to sync across all Twitch pages and third-party tools that pull your Twitch data.