You can change your Clash of Clans name through the in-game settings menu, and the process takes about two minutes

Open Clash of Clans and tap the settings icon — it looks like a gear and sits in the bottom right corner of the main village screen. Scroll down until you see "Change Name" and tap it. Type your new name (up to 20 characters), then tap the confirm button. The first name change is free. After that, each change costs 500 gems, which is the game's premium currency.

Your new name appears to other players when ready. Clan mates, friends, and opponents in multiplayer matches will see the updated name right away. If you change your mind within a few hours, you can change it again, but you will still pay the gem cost for the second change.

Key Takeaways

  • The first name change is free; every change after that costs 500 gems.
  • You access the name change option through the settings gear icon on your main village screen.
  • Your new name shows to other players when ready across all game modes.
  • Names can be up to 20 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and some special characters.
  • If you do not have 500 gems for a second change, you can earn gems by completing in-game tasks or wait until you have saved enough.

What characters and symbols you can use in your name

Clash of Clans accepts letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and a limited set of special characters. You can use spaces, hyphens, underscores, and periods. The game blocks names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names without permission.

If you try to submit a name the game considers inappropriate, you will see an error message and the name will not save. You can then try a different name. There is no penalty for attempting a blocked name — you straightforward try again.

How to get gems if you do not have 500 for a second change

Gems drop from clearing obstacles like trees and rocks in your village, though the amounts are small — usually one or two gems per obstacle. You also earn gems by completing achievements (the trophy icon in the menu), which reward larger amounts. Some achievements give 10 to 50 gems depending on the task.

The fastest way to accumulate gems without spending real money is to focus on achievements you are close to completing. For example, if you are near the next level in a troop upgrade or close to a certain number of wins in multiplayer, finishing that achievement will get you gems faster than clearing random obstacles. You can also earn gems by completing the tutorial tasks if you are a new player.

Changing your name if you are in a clan

Your clan mates will see your new name when ready in the clan chat and member list. The change does not affect your clan membership or your position in the clan — if you are a leader or elder, you stay in that role. Your attack history and defense log will still show under your new name.

If you change your name frequently, clan mates might have trouble recognizing you in chat or remembering who you are. Some players include a note in the clan description or chat to let members know they changed their name, especially if they have a leadership role.

What happens to your old name

Your old name becomes available for other players to use when ready after you change it. You cannot reserve it or get it back later unless another player happens to change their name and free it up again. If you think you might want your old name back, wait a few days before changing to something new.

Your account itself does not change — your player ID (a long number the game uses internally) stays the same. Other players can still find you through that ID if they have it saved, even though your display name is different.

Changing your name on different devices

If you play Clash of Clans on both a phone and a tablet, or if you switch between Android and iOS, your name change syncs across all devices as long as your account is connected to Supercell ID (the game's login system). Change your name on one device and it updates everywhere within a few minutes.

If your account is not linked to Supercell ID, you are playing as a local account on that device only. A local account cannot sync to other devices, and changing the name on one device will not change it on another. To link your account, go to settings, scroll to "Supercell ID", and follow the prompts to create or sign in to an ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Only if another player changes their name and frees up your old name. You cannot reserve or recover your previous name directly. If you want to use it again, you would have to wait and hope it becomes available, or choose a different name.

What if I see an error message when I try to change my name?

The most common error is that the name you chose is already taken by another player, contains blocked words, or is too long. Try a different name, make sure it is 20 characters or fewer, and avoid words the game flags as inappropriate. If you still get an error, restart the app and try again.

Do I lose anything when I change my name?

No. Your troops, buildings, resources, clan membership, and all progress stay exactly the same. Only the name that other players see changes. Your account data and player ID remain linked to everything you have built.

Can I change my name if I am banned or suspended?

If your account is suspended or banned, you cannot access the game at all, including the settings menu. You would need to resolve the suspension first by contacting Supercell support through the in-game help menu.