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 not when ready or as often as you want. You get one username change per 30-day period, and the change takes effect when ready after you confirm it. The process takes about two minutes and requires you to be logged into your account on a computer or mobile device.

If you have never changed your username before, your first change is free. If you have changed it before, IMVU charges 5,000 credits — roughly $5 USD depending on your region — for each additional change within the 30-day window. You cannot undo a username change once it is confirmed, so choose carefully before you hit save.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days through Account Settings on the IMVU website or app.
  • Your first username change is free; subsequent changes within a 30-day period cost 5,000 credits.
  • The new username takes effect when ready and cannot be reversed, so verify your choice before confirming.
  • Your account ID number stays the same when you change your username, so friends can still find you by that ID.
  • If your username contains offensive content or violates IMVU's terms, the platform may force a change without warning.

Steps to change your username on desktop

Log into IMVU on the web at imvu.com. Click your avatar or profile icon in the top right corner of the screen, then select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the Account Settings page, look for the "Username" field — this is usually in the main profile section, not buried in a submenu.

Click the pencil icon or "Edit" button next to your current username. Type your new username into the text box. IMVU will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or violates content rules — if so, try a different one. Once you see a green checkmark or confirmation message, click "Save" or "Confirm Change" to lock in the new name. The change is permanent and takes effect right away.

Steps to change your username on mobile

Open the IMVU app on your phone or tablet. Tap the profile icon at the bottom of the screen (usually a silhouette or your avatar). Scroll down to find "Account Settings" or "Settings" — the exact label varies by app version. Tap it to open your account details.

Find the "Username" field and tap the edit icon next to it. Type your new username and wait for the system to check whether it is available. If you see an error message, the name is taken or blocked; choose a different one. Once the name is approved, tap "Save" or "Confirm" to complete the change. Like the desktop version, this is when ready and cannot be reversed.

What happens if your username is flagged or forced to change

IMVU moderators monitor usernames for offensive language, hate speech, or content that violates the platform's terms of service. If your username breaks these rules, IMVU may force you to change it without giving you a choice of new names. When this happens, you usually receive an email notification explaining why the change was required.

If you receive a forced-change notice, you have a set number of days (usually 7 to 14) to pick a new username yourself. If you do not change it by the important date, IMVU assigns you a temporary username like "User12345" until you log in and choose a permanent one. Forced changes do not cost credits, even if you have already used your free change.

Understanding the 30-day cooldown and credit cost

The 30-day timer resets from the date you last changed your username, not from a calendar month. If you change your username on March 15, you cannot change it again until April 14. This applies whether you paid credits or used a free change. The timer is per account, so if you have multiple IMVU accounts, each one has its own separate cooldown.

Credits are IMVU's in-game currency. You can earn them slowly by logging in daily or participating in certain activities, but most players buy them with real money. A 5,000-credit pack typically costs around $5, though prices vary by region and by whether IMVU is running a promotion. If you do not have enough credits when you try to change your username a second time, the system will not let you proceed until you purchase more.

Why your account ID matters more than your username

Your IMVU account ID is a unique number assigned when you create your account. Unlike your username, this number never changes, even if you change your display name ten times. Friends and other users can search for you by your account ID if they know it, which means they can still find you even after you change your username.

If you want people to be able to find you after a username change, share your account ID with them beforehand. You can find your ID by going to Account Settings and looking for a field labeled "Account ID" or "User ID" — it is usually a string of numbers. Some players include their ID in their profile bio or in their friend requests so people can locate them by number instead of by name.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not directly. Once you change your username, that old name goes back into the pool of available names. If no one else has claimed it, you could change your username again after 30 days and pick your old name — but you would have to pay 5,000 credits to do so (unless it is still within your free change window).

What if the username I want is taken?

IMVU will show you an error message saying the name is unavailable. You cannot reserve a username or put yourself on a waiting list. Your only option is to pick a different name. Some players add numbers, underscores, or slight variations to get close to their desired name — for example, "John_Smith" instead of "JohnSmith".

Do my friends lose me if I change my username?

No. Your friends list stays intact because IMVU tracks friendships by account ID, not by username. Your friends will see your new username the next time they log in, but you will still be on their friends list. They do not have to re-add you or do anything on their end.

Can I change my username if I have been banned or suspended?

If your account is suspended or banned, you cannot log in to change your username. If your account is permanently banned, you will not be able to access it at all. If your account is temporarily suspended, you can change your username once the suspension ends and you regain access.

Is there a way to change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. The 30-day cooldown is a hard limit built into IMVU's system. Paying extra credits does not bypass it. You must wait the full 30 days between changes, regardless of how many credits you spend.