Change your TikTok name from the app or website in under a minute

You can change your TikTok username anytime by opening the app, going to your profile, and selecting the edit option. The process takes about 30 seconds. TikTok lets you change your username once every 30 days, so if you changed it recently, you will need to wait until that window closes before changing it again.

Your username is different from your display name. The username is what appears in your profile URL (like @yourname) and is what people use to mention you or search for you. Your display name is the readable name shown on your profile — you can change that as often as you want. This guide covers changing your username, which is the one with the 30-day waiting period.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your TikTok username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • The username change option is in your profile settings under "Edit profile," not in general settings.
  • Your new username must be between 2 and 24 characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot start with a number.
  • If your desired username is already taken, TikTok will tell you when ready and you will need to choose a different one.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, videos, or any content you have posted.

Steps to change your username on the TikTok app

Open TikTok and tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. At the top right, you will see three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) — tap that.

Tap "Edit profile" from the menu that appears. You will see several fields including your username, display name, and bio. Tap on the username field (the one that shows your current @name). Delete the current username and type your new one. TikTok will show you in real time whether the name is available — if it is taken, you will see a red X and a message saying the username is unavailable. If it is available, you will see a green checkmark.

Once you have chosen an available username, tap the checkmark or "Save" button at the top right of the screen. Your new username is now active. Anyone who searches for your old username will not find you — they will need to search for your new one.

How to change your username on the TikTok website

Go to TikTok.com and log in to your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Settings and privacy" from the dropdown menu.

Click "Account" in the left sidebar, then click "Username." You will see your current username displayed. Click the edit icon (pencil) next to it. Delete your current username and type the new one you want. TikTok will show you whether it is available as you type.

Once you have selected an available username, click "Save" or press Enter. The change takes effect when ready, and your profile URL updates to reflect your new username.

Rules for choosing a new TikTok username

TikTok usernames must be between 2 and 24 characters long. You can use letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, periods, and underscores. Your username cannot start with a number — it must begin with a letter or underscore. Spaces are not allowed.

Usernames are case-insensitive, meaning @MyName and @myname are treated as the same username. If someone already has @myname, you cannot use @MyName or any other capitalization of it.

TikTok does not allow usernames that impersonate other users or that violate their community guidelines. If you try to use a username that TikTok flags as problematic, you will see an error message and will need to choose a different one.

What happens to your content and followers when you change your username

Your videos, likes, followers, and all other account data remain exactly the same when you change your username. People who follow you will still see your content in their feed. Your follower count does not change.

However, any links that pointed to your old username will no longer work. If you shared a link to your profile on another website or in a bio elsewhere, that link will break. You will need to update those links manually to point to your new username. Direct messages and comments that mention your old username will still be there, but new mentions will use your new username.

What to do if you cannot change your username yet

If you see a message saying you cannot change your username, it is likely because you changed it within the last 30 days. TikTok enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. You will need to wait until that period ends before you can change it again.

If you have never changed your username before and you still cannot change it, try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to show the option. If the problem continues, try using the TikTok website instead of the app — occasionally one platform updates faster than the other.

If you believe your account has been locked or restricted from changing your username for another reason, you can contact TikTok support through the app by going to Settings, tapping "Report a problem," and describing what you see.

Choosing a username that works for you

Think about what you want your username to represent. If you create content about a specific topic, including a keyword in your username can help people find you through search. If you use your real name or a variation of it, people who know you offline can find you more easily.

Keep in mind that your username is public and permanent (until you change it again after 30 days). Avoid usernames with numbers that might be hard to remember or share verbally. A username like @baking_with_sarah is easier to tell someone than @baking47sarah92.

You can always change your display name — the readable name shown at the top of your profile — as often as you want. Some creators use their display name for branding and their username for searchability, so consider what each one communicates about your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to one I used before?

No. Once you change away from a username, you cannot use that exact username again. If you want to go back to a previous username, you would need to wait for TikTok to release it (which happens if the username is inactive for a long time), or you would need to use a variation of it, like adding a number or underscore.

Will my followers be able to find me with my old username?

No. Once you change your username, your old one no longer points to your account. If someone tries to search for your old username, they will not find you. Your followers will still see your content in their feed and can still access your profile from there, but they cannot search for you by your old name.

Can I use special characters like @ or # in my username?

No. TikTok usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use @, #, spaces, or other special characters. The @ symbol is added automatically by TikTok when displaying your username.

What is the difference between my username and display name?

Your username is your @name and appears in your profile URL. Your display name is the readable text shown at the top of your profile. You can change your display name as often as you want, but you can only change your username once every 30 days. Both appear on your profile, but the username is what people use to search for and mention you.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere on TikTok?

Your new username takes effect when ready in your profile and in search results. However, it may take a few minutes for it to update everywhere across the platform, such as in notifications or in other users' follower lists. If you do not see the change right away, try refreshing the app or logging out and back in.