Twitch lets you change your username once every 60 days

You can change your Twitch username as often as you want, but Twitch enforces a 60-day waiting period between changes. This means if you change your username today, you cannot change it again for 60 days. After that period ends, you can change it when ready — there is no limit to how many times you can do this over your account's lifetime.

The 60-day rule applies whether you change your username through the settings page or through any other official method. Twitch counts from the date of your last successful change, not from when you initiated the request. If you change your username on January 1st, you can change it again on March 1st or any day after.

This waiting period exists to prevent account takeovers and impersonation. If someone gains temporary access to your account, they cannot when ready change your username to lock you out permanently. The 60-day window gives you time to regain control and change it back before an attacker can lock you in.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Twitch username once every 60 days, with no lifetime limit on total changes.
  • The 60-day timer starts from your last successful username change, not from when you request a new one.
  • Changing your username does not affect your channel URL, followers, or stream history — those stay attached to your account.
  • If you try to change your username before 60 days have passed, Twitch will show you exactly how many days remain before you can change it again.

Where to change your username and what happens to your old one

You change your username through the Twitch website settings, not through the mobile app. Go to your account settings, select "Username," and enter your new name. Twitch will tell you when ready if the name is taken or violates their username policy. Once you confirm the change, it takes effect right away across your entire channel.

Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it. Twitch does not hold old usernames in reserve. If you change from "OldName" to "NewName," another user can register "OldName" within minutes. This is why some streamers create backup accounts or reserve usernames they might want to return to later.

Your channel URL changes when you change your username. If you were at twitch.tv/OldName, you are now at twitch.tv/NewName. Your followers, subscribers, and stream history all move with you to the new URL. Old links to your channel will not work, so if you have shared your Twitch link on social media or a website, you should update those links after changing your username.

What the 60-day timer resets and what it does not

The 60-day timer is tied only to username changes. Other account actions — changing your display name, email, password, or profile picture — do not affect when you can change your username next. You can change your display name (the name that appears on your channel) as many times as you want without waiting. Your display name and your username are separate things, and only the username has the 60-day restriction.

If you change your username and then realize you made a typo or want something different, you still have to wait the full 60 days. Twitch does not offer exceptions or manual resets for this timer. The only way around it is to wait until the 60 days have passed.

How to check when you can change your username again

When you try to change your username before the 60 days are up, Twitch shows you a message that says something like "You can change your username again in X days." This message appears on the username settings page. You do not have to guess or count — Twitch tells you the exact number of days remaining.

If you have changed your username multiple times, the timer only counts from your most recent change. Changing your username five times does not mean you wait 300 days. You wait 60 days from the fifth change, then you can change it again whenever you want.

Username rules and what Twitch will reject

Twitch usernames must be between 4 and 25 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores only. No spaces, hyphens, or special characters are allowed. Usernames are not case-sensitive — "MyName" and "myname" are treated as the same username, so you cannot create one if the other exists.

Twitch will reject usernames that impersonate other users, contain hate speech, or violate their community guidelines. If you try to change to a username that breaks these rules, Twitch will tell you it is unavailable or violates their policy. The 60-day timer does not start if your change is rejected — you can try again when ready with a different name.

What happens to your username if you do not log in

Twitch does not reclaim inactive usernames. If you create an account, change your username once, and then never log in again, your new username stays yours forever. There is no inactivity period after which Twitch frees up your username for someone else to claim. This is different from some other platforms that recycle old usernames after years of inactivity.

If you want to abandon a username and let someone else have it, you have to change your username to something else. Once you do, your old username becomes available when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username if I have not streamed yet?

Yes. The 60-day rule applies to all accounts, whether you have streamed or not. You can change your username on a brand-new account right away, then wait 60 days before changing it again.

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

No. Your Affiliate or Partner status stays with your account when you change your username. Your earnings, subscriber count, and all account history move with you to your new username.

What if someone else takes the username I want after I change mine?

If you change your username and then want to go back to your old one, you have to wait 60 days. If someone else claims your old username in the meantime, you cannot get it back. You would have to choose a different username or wait for that person to change theirs.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Twitch usernames can only contain letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other special characters are not allowed. If you try to use them, Twitch will reject the change.

Does the 60-day timer start over if I try to change my username before it is ready?

No. The timer does not reset if you attempt a change. It only counts from your last successful change. You can check how many days remain as many times as you want without affecting the timer.