You can change your IMVU username once every 30 days through your account settings

IMVU lets you change the name other users see in chat and on your profile, but there are limits. You get one change per 30 days, and the name you pick must be between 3 and 16 characters long. The change takes effect when ready once you save it — you do not need to log out and back in.

The process itself takes less than a minute. You go into your account settings, find the username field, type the new name, and confirm. The main thing to know beforehand is that your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so if you think you might want it back later, take a screenshot or write it down first.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change shows up right away across the platform.
  • Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters and cannot contain spaces or most special characters.
  • Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for other users to claim within a few minutes.
  • If you change your mind within 30 days, you cannot change it back when ready — you have to wait until the 30-day window resets.

Step-by-step: changing your username

Log into IMVU on the web or in the desktop app. Click on your avatar or profile icon in the top right corner of the screen, then select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu.

In Account Settings, look for the "Username" field. This is usually near the top of the page, sometimes labeled "Display Name" depending on which version of IMVU you are using. Click in the field and delete your current username completely.

Type your new username. It can contain letters, numbers, and underscores, but not spaces or symbols like hyphens, periods, or @ signs. IMVU will tell you right away if the name is already taken or breaks the character rules — you will see a red error message below the field.

Once you have typed a valid name that is not taken, click the "Save" or "Update" button. The page will refresh, and your new username will appear across your profile and in chat within seconds. You are done — no email confirmation or additional steps are needed.

What characters and lengths are allowed

Your username must be at least 3 characters and no more than 16 characters long. IMVU counts each letter, number, and underscore toward that limit. Spaces do not work, and neither do hyphens, periods, commas, or symbols like @ or #.

Underscores are the only special character allowed, so if you want to separate words, use underscores instead of spaces: Cool_Avatar works, but Cool Avatar does not. Numbers are fine anywhere in the name: Avatar123 or 123Avatar both work.

IMVU does not let you use usernames that are already taken by another account, even if that account is inactive. If you try to save a name that someone else has, the system will reject it with a message saying the username is unavailable.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This timer starts the moment you click save, not at midnight or on a calendar date. If you change your username on a Tuesday at 2 p.m., you can change it again on Wednesday at 2 p.m. the following week.

IMVU shows you when your next change will be available in your Account Settings. Look for text that says something like "You can change your username again on [date]." If you try to change it before that date, the save button will be grayed out or you will see an error message.

This limit exists to prevent people from constantly switching names to avoid being blocked or reported. It also keeps the username system stable — if anyone could change their name every hour, it would be hard for friends to find you or for moderation to work.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one does not stay reserved for you. Within a few minutes, another user can claim it. This means if you change from OldName to NewName, someone else can sign up or change their own username to OldName right away.

If you think you might want your old username back someday, write it down or take a screenshot before you change it. You cannot reclaim it automatically, but you could ask IMVU support if you change your mind within a day or two — though they do not always hold usernames, and there is no may provide.

Your friends will see your new username in their friend list and in chat. Old messages or posts you made under your old username will still show your old name in the chat history, but your profile and current activity will show the new one.

Troubleshooting: why the change might not work

If you click save and nothing happens, the most common reason is that the username is already taken. Check the error message below the field — it will tell you if the name is unavailable or if it breaks the character rules.

If you see a message saying you have to wait before changing again, your 30-day window has not closed yet. Go back to Account Settings and look for the date when your next change becomes available. You cannot override this timer.

If the page does not load your Account Settings at all, try logging out completely and logging back in. Clear your browser cache if you are on the web version, or restart the desktop app. Sometimes a stale session prevents the settings page from loading properly.

If you have tried all of this and the username field still will not save, contact IMVU support through their help center. Include a screenshot of what you are seeing, and they can look into whether there is a technical issue with your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. IMVU enforces a strict 30-day cooldown between changes. Once you change your username, you cannot change it again until 30 days have passed from the moment you saved the change. The timer is shown in your Account Settings.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends will see your new username in their friend list, and you will still appear in their contacts. Old messages will show your old username, but your profile and all current activity will show the new one.

What if someone takes my old username after I change it?

Once you change your username, the old one becomes available to anyone. If someone claims it before you change your mind, you cannot get it back unless IMVU support intervenes — and they do not always do so. Write down your old username if you think you might want it later.

Can I use spaces or hyphens in my new username?

No. IMVU only allows letters, numbers, and underscores. Use underscores to separate words instead: Cool_Name instead of Cool Name or Cool-Name.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your new username appears in your profile and in chat within seconds of saving. You do not need to log out or restart the app. If you still see your old name somewhere after a few minutes, refresh the page or restart the app.