You cannot change your Steam username directly, but you can change your display name and create a new account with a different login name
Steam's login username — the name you type into the password field — is permanent once you create it. Valve does not offer a way to edit it after account creation. However, you have two real options: change your display name (what other players see), or start fresh with a new account using a different login username.
Most people who want to "change their username" actually want to change how their name appears to friends and in games. That takes five minutes. If you need a completely different login name for security reasons or because you no longer have access to your original email, you will need to create a new Steam account instead.
Key Takeaways
- Your Steam login username cannot be changed once the account is created, but your display name (what friends see) can be changed anytime in account settings.
- Changing your display name does not affect your login credentials, game library, or any of your account data.
- If you need a different login username, you must create a new Steam account, which means starting with no games or friends unless you transfer purchases through Steam Family Sharing.
- If you forgot your login username, you can recover it by entering your email address on the Steam login page.
- Changing your email address associated with the account is possible and does not require a new account.
How to change your display name in Steam
Open Steam on your computer and log in. Click your username in the top right corner, then select "Profile" from the dropdown menu. On your profile page, look for your current display name and click the pencil icon next to it to edit.
Type your new display name into the text field. Steam allows up to 32 characters. Click outside the text field or press Enter to save. Your new display name will appear to your friends and in multiplayer games within a few seconds. Your login username remains unchanged.
You can change your display name as often as you want with no restrictions or cooldown period. This is the fastest way to update how your name appears across Steam.
When you need a new login username instead
Create a new Steam account if your current login username is compromised, if you want to separate your gaming identity completely, or if you no longer remember or have access to your original email. Go to steampowered.com, click "Login" at the top right, then click "Create a new account" at the bottom of the login box.
Enter a new email address you control, a new login username (between 3 and 32 characters, letters and numbers only), and a password. Confirm your email address by clicking the link Steam sends you. Your new account starts with no games, no friends, and no trading history.
If you own games on your old account and want to play them on your new account, you can use Steam Family Sharing to let your new account access your old account's library from the same computer. This does not transfer ownership — it shares access. Both accounts must be on the same device for this to work.
Recovering a forgotten login username
Go to steampowered.com and click "Login" at the top right. Click "Forgot your username?" below the login fields. Enter the email address associated with your Steam account. Steam will send you an email with your login username and a link to reset your password if needed.
Check your spam or promotions folder if you do not see the email within a few minutes. If you no longer have access to that email address, you will need to contact Steam Support to verify your identity and regain access to the account.
Changing the email address on your account
If you want to keep your current login username but use a different email address, log into Steam and click your username in the top right. Select "Account" from the dropdown. Under "Contact Email," click "Change email address." Enter your new email and confirm it by clicking the link Steam sends to that address.
Your login username does not change when you update your email. You will use the same username to log in, but Steam will send account recovery emails and notifications to your new address. This is useful if your old email is no longer active or if you want to consolidate multiple accounts under one email.
What happens to your games and friends when you create a new account
A new Steam account has no games, no friends list, and no trading history. Games you purchased are tied to the account that bought them and cannot be transferred to a new account. Friends added to your old account will not automatically appear on your new account.
If you want to keep playing your existing games, do not create a new account. Change your display name instead. If you must create a new account for security reasons, you can use Steam Family Sharing to access your old account's games from your new account on the same computer, but you cannot play them simultaneously or on different devices.
Securing your account if you think it has been compromised
If someone else has access to your login username and password, change your password when ready. Log in to your Steam account, click your username in the top right, select "Account," and click "Change password." Enter your current password and your new password twice. Use a password that is at least 8 characters long and includes letters, numbers, and symbols.
Check your email address and phone number in account settings to make sure no one has changed them. Enable Steam Guard, a two-factor authentication system that requires a code from your email or mobile app when you log in from a new device. Click "Account" in settings, then "Manage Steam Guard" to turn it on. This prevents someone from logging in even if they have your password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my login username without creating a new account?
No. Your login username is permanent. You can only change your display name, which is what appears to other players. If you need a different login username, you must create a new Steam account.
Will changing my display name affect my games or friends?
No. Changing your display name does not affect your game library, achievements, friends list, or any account data. Only the name that appears to other players changes.
What if I create a new account — can I keep my games?
Games are tied to the account that purchased them and cannot be transferred. You can use Steam Family Sharing to let your new account play games from your old account on the same computer, but you cannot play them on different devices or at the same time.
How do I turn on two-factor authentication?
Log into Steam, click your username in the top right, select "Account," then click "Manage Steam Guard." Choose to receive codes by email or read the Steam Mobile Authenticator app to receive codes on your phone. Confirm your choice and Steam will send you a code to verify.
Can I delete my old account and start fresh?
Steam does not permanently delete accounts. You can abandon an old account and create a new one, but the old account will remain in Steam's system. If you want to stop using an account, straightforward create a new one and use that instead.