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

IMVU lets you change the name other users see in the app, but the change takes effect when ready and you can only do it once per month. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely within the app or on the IMVU website — you do not need to contact support unless something goes wrong.

Your username is different from your account email. Changing your username does not affect your password, your friends list, your avatar, or any items you own. Other players will see your new name the next time they log in, but your old name will not work for logging in anymore.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days by going to Account Settings and selecting Change Username.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain only letters and numbers, and not already be taken by another user.
  • The change takes effect when ready in the app, but other players may see your old name briefly if they are already in a room with you.
  • If you have not changed your username in the past 30 days and the name you want is taken, you will have to wait or choose a different name.

How to change your username on the IMVU website

Log into your IMVU account at imvu.com using your email and password. Once you are logged in, click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Account Settings from the dropdown menu.

Look for the section labeled Username and click the button that says Change Username. Type your new username into the text field. IMVU will tell you when ready whether the name is available — if it shows a green checkmark, the name is yours to take. If it shows a red X, that name is already taken and you will need to choose something else.

Once you have picked an available name, click Confirm or Save Changes (the exact button label varies by browser). Your new username is now active. You will need to use this new name the next time you log in.

How to change your username in the IMVU app

Open IMVU on your phone or computer and log in if you are not already. Tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the screen, then select Settings.

Scroll down to find Account or Profile Settings and tap or click it. Look for the field showing your current username and tap or click Edit or the pencil icon next to it. Type your new username and check whether IMVU shows it as available.

If the name is available, confirm the change. The app will log you out and ask you to log back in with your new username. This is normal — it means the change worked.

Rules for choosing a new IMVU username

Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters (A–Z, a–z) and numbers (0–9), but you cannot use spaces, punctuation, or special characters like underscores, hyphens, or @ symbols. IMVU will reject the name if it breaks these rules before you even try to save it.

The name cannot already belong to another user. If someone else has the username you want, you will see an error message and will have to pick something different. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are treated as the same name.

IMVU also blocks usernames that contain slurs, explicit language, or impersonation of staff members. If you try to use a blocked name, the system will reject it without telling you exactly why — you will just see that it is not available.

What happens if you change your mind within 30 days

You cannot change your username again until 30 days have passed since your last change. This timer resets each time you make a change, so if you changed your username on January 15, you cannot change it again until February 14.

If you made a mistake and want to go back to your old username, you will have to wait until the 30-day window closes. Once it does, you can change to any available name — including your old one, if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone else took your old username, you will have to pick something new.

Troubleshooting: what to do if the change does not work

If you see an error message saying you cannot change your username, the most common reason is that you have already changed it within the past 30 days. Check the date of your last change in Account Settings — the system will show you when you are may be able to access to change again.

If the name you want shows as taken but you believe it should be available, try a slightly different spelling or add a number to the end. Usernames are case-sensitive in how they appear to other players, but the system treats "john" and "JOHN" as the same name for availability purposes.

If you cannot access Account Settings at all, or if the Change Username button does not appear, try logging out completely and logging back in. If you are using the app, try closing it entirely and reopening it. If the problem persists after that, you may need to contact IMVU support through the Help section in your account settings.

How your username change affects your account and friends

Your friends will still see you in their friends list after you change your username — the change does not remove you from anyone's contacts. However, they will see your new name the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. If they are in a room with you when you change your username, they may see both your old and new names briefly until the room updates.

Your avatar, inventory, and all items you own stay exactly the same. Your account level, badges, and any premium membership you have do not change. The only thing that changes is the name that appears above your avatar in rooms and on your profile.

If you have a custom URL or profile link that includes your old username, that link will no longer work after the change. Anyone who tries to visit your profile using the old link will see an error. You will need to share your new profile link if you want people to find you that way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. IMVU enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. You can see exactly when you are may be able to access to change again by going to Account Settings and looking at the Username section. Once that date passes, you can change when ready.

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

Once you change your username, your old name becomes available for anyone else to claim. If you want to go back to it after the 30-day wait, you will have to hope no one else has taken it. If they have, you will need to pick a different name.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your password stays the same. You log in with your email address and password, not your username, so changing your username does not affect how you access your account. Your login credentials remain unchanged.

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

Yes. Your friends list does not change, and they will see your new username in their contacts. If they search for your old username, they will not find you, but they can still access your profile through their friends list or by searching your email if they have it.

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

No. IMVU only allows letters (A–Z, a–z) and numbers (0–9) in usernames. Spaces, underscores, hyphens, periods, and other special characters will cause the system to reject the name. If you want to separate words, use numbers or capital letters instead.