You can change your TikTok username yourself, but the name you want has to be unclaimed

TikTok lets you change your username once every 30 days through your account settings. The username you choose must not already be taken by another account, and it must follow TikTok's rules — no impersonation, no hateful content, no spam patterns. If the username you want is already taken, you cannot claim it; you have to pick something else. TikTok does not have a waitlist or a way to reserve a name.

Your display name (the name that shows on your profile) is separate from your username (the @handle people use to tag you). You can change your display name as often as you want, but the username has the 30-day limit. Many people change their display name frequently while keeping the same username.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days by going to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Username.
  • The username you want must be unclaimed and cannot contain characters that violate TikTok's community guidelines.
  • If someone else has the username you want, there is no way to request it or get on a waitlist — you must choose a different name.
  • Your display name is separate from your username and can be changed without the 30-day waiting period.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, videos, or account history.

The steps to change your username in the TikTok app

Open TikTok and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy. Tap Account, then tap Username. Type the new username you want and tap Save. If the name is available, the change takes effect when ready. If it is taken, TikTok will tell you and you will need to try a different name.

After you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. Plan ahead if you think you might want to switch it later. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it.

What happens if the username you want is already taken

If someone else has the username, TikTok will show you an error message saying the username is unavailable. You cannot request the name, put yourself on a waitlist, or contact TikTok to ask them to release it. The only way to get that username is if the person who owns it deletes their account or changes their own username.

Some people hold usernames they no longer use. If you see an account with the username you want and it has not posted in years, the account is still active and the name is still claimed. Inactive accounts do not free up their usernames.

Rules TikTok enforces for usernames

Your username can contain letters, numbers, periods, underscores, and hyphens. It cannot contain spaces. TikTok will reject usernames that impersonate real people or organizations, contain hateful language, or look like spam (for example, a string of random numbers or repeated characters). Usernames that are sexually explicit or that encourage illegal activity will also be rejected.

If you change your username to something that violates these rules, TikTok may disable your account or force you to change it again. The rules are the same whether you are changing your username for the first time or the tenth time.

Changing your username on the TikTok website

You can also change your username by logging into TikTok.com on a computer. Click your profile icon in the top right, then click Settings and Privacy. Click Account, then click Username. Type your new username and click Save. The process is the same as in the app, and the 30-day waiting period applies either way.

If you change your username in the app, the change shows up on the website when ready, and vice versa. You do not have to change it in both places — changing it once changes it everywhere.

What does not change when you update your username

Your followers stay with you. All your videos, likes, and comments remain on your account. Your account history does not reset. People who have you saved or bookmarked will still see your account under your new username. The only thing that changes is the @handle people use to find and tag you.

If you had a custom URL based on your old username (like tiktok.com/@youroldname), that URL will no longer work. Your new URL will be tiktok.com/@yournewname. Links to your old URL will not redirect automatically, so if you shared your profile link anywhere, you may want to update those links.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old username back if I change it?

Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for anyone else to claim. If someone takes it, you cannot get it back. If no one claims it within a few months, you may be able to reclaim it yourself, but there is no may provide. Do not change your username unless you are sure about the new one.

What if TikTok says my username violates community guidelines?

TikTok will reject the username before you save it. If you see an error message, try a different name. If you believe the rejection was a mistake, you can contact TikTok support through the app, but TikTok does not usually overturn these decisions.

Does changing my username affect my TikTok Creator Fund earnings?

No. Your account earnings, analytics, and creator status stay the same. The username change is purely cosmetic and does not affect any account features or monetization.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my username?

No. TikTok usernames can only contain letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), periods, underscores, and hyphens. Emojis, accented letters, and other special characters are not allowed.

How long does it take for a username change to show up everywhere?

The change is when ready in the app and on the website. However, it may take a few minutes for the new username to show up in search results or when people try to tag you. If it does not appear within an hour, try logging out and back in.