The mobile app doesn't let you change your username directly

IMVU's mobile app for iOS and Android does not have a built-in option to change your username. The username change feature only works through the desktop website or web browser on your phone. This means you cannot complete the change from the app itself — you will need to open a web browser and go to IMVU's website instead.

The reason for this limitation is technical: IMVU's mobile app was built to let you chat, create avatars, and browse the catalog, but account settings like username changes require access to the full account management system, which only the website provides. It is not a restriction on who can change their name, just where you can do it from.

Key Takeaways

  • Open a web browser on your phone and go to imvu.com rather than using the mobile app to change your username.
  • Log in to your account, then go to Account Settings and select the option to change your username.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the new name must be between 3 and 16 characters with no spaces.
  • After you change your username on the website, log out of the mobile app completely and log back in to see the new name reflected there.

Steps to change your username using a mobile web browser

Open any web browser on your phone — Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android, or any other browser you use. Go to imvu.com and tap the login button if you are not already signed in. Enter your email address and password, then tap Sign In.

Once you are logged in, look for your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner of the screen and tap it. A menu will appear. Tap "Account Settings" or "Settings" (the exact wording varies slightly depending on when IMVU last updated the website). Scroll down until you see "Change Username" or "Username" as an option.

Tap that option. You will see a field with your current username and a text box where you can type a new one. Type the new username you want. Remember that it must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain no spaces, and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Tap the button to confirm the change — usually labeled "Save" or "Update Username".

The website will tell you right away if the name is already taken or breaks the rules. If it accepts your new username, you are done on the website. Close the browser or navigate away. Now you need to update the mobile app so it shows your new name.

Updating the mobile app after you change your username

The IMVU mobile app will not automatically refresh to show your new username. You need to force it to log out and log back in. Open the IMVU app on your phone. Go to your profile or settings within the app — this is usually a gear icon or your avatar in the bottom menu.

Look for a "Log Out" or "Sign Out" button and tap it. The app will ask you to confirm. Tap yes. Now the app will return to the login screen. Enter your email address and password again and tap Sign In. This time when you log in, the app will pull your updated information from IMVU's servers, and your new username will appear on your profile and in chat.

Rules and limits on changing your username

IMVU allows you to change your username once every 30 days. This means if you changed your name today, you cannot change it again for 30 days from that date. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, the website will show you a message telling you when you can change it next.

Your new username must follow these rules: it must be 3 to 16 characters long, it cannot contain spaces, and it can only use letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols are not allowed. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, the website will reject it and ask you to try again.

The name you choose must also not be already taken by another user. If someone else has the username you want, the website will tell you it is unavailable and you will need to pick a different one. There is no way to reserve a name or get on a waiting list — you can only use names that are not currently claimed.

What happens to your old username after you change it

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for other users to claim. IMVU does not hold old usernames or let you reclaim them later. This means if you change from "SkyWalker42" to "NeonDreamer" and then decide you want "SkyWalker42" back, you cannot get it unless the new owner gives it up or IMVU removes the account.

Your account history, avatar, friends list, and credits all stay with your account — they are tied to your account ID, not your username. So changing your name does not erase anything or lose any progress. Your friends will see your new username the next time they log in, and any messages you sent before the change will still show your old name in the chat history.

Troubleshooting: your new username is not showing in the app

If you changed your username on the website but it is still showing the old name in the mobile app, the most common fix is to fully close and reopen the app. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find IMVU, and swipe it up to close it. On Android, go to Settings, tap Apps, find IMVU, and tap "Force Stop". Then open the app again.

If that does not work, try the log-out and log-in process described above. Make sure you are logging in with the correct email address and password. If you are still seeing the old username after logging back in, wait a few minutes and try again — sometimes the app takes a moment to sync with the servers.

If the website itself is not letting you change your username and shows an error message, take a screenshot of the error and contact IMVU support through their website. Errors during the change process are rare, but when they happen, support can usually fix it or tell you what is blocking the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. IMVU enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed since your last change, the website will show you the exact date when you can change it again. You cannot pay to skip this wait or request an exception.

What if the username I want is taken?

You will need to choose a different name. There is no waiting list or reservation system for usernames. If you really want a specific name, you can check back periodically to see if it becomes available, but IMVU does not notify you when a name is freed up.

Will my friends still see me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list and all your connections stay the same. Your friends will see your new username the next time they log in. Old messages will still show your previous username, but your profile and new messages will show the updated name.

Do I have to change my username on the website, or can I do it in the app?

You must use the website. The mobile app does not have a username change feature. Open a web browser, go to imvu.com, log in, and go to Account Settings to make the change.

What characters can I use in my new username?

You can use letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or special characters. Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long.