You can change your Twitter handle (the @username) anytime, and it takes about two minutes

Your Twitter handle is the @name that appears in your profile URL and in replies. Unlike your display name, which you can change freely, your handle is tied to your account identity. Twitter lets you change it whenever you want, but the old handle becomes available for someone else to claim within a few minutes. This matters for security: if you use your handle in email addresses, password recovery, or as an identifier elsewhere, changing it means updating those connections too.

The process is the same whether you use Twitter on a phone or computer. You go into your account settings, find the username field, type the new handle you want, and save. Twitter checks when ready whether that handle is available. If it is, the change goes live right away.

Key Takeaways

  • Your old handle becomes available for anyone else to claim within minutes, so tell people who contact you through that handle about the change first.
  • Change your handle through Settings and Privacy > Account > Username, not through your profile display name.
  • If you use your handle in email recovery options, password managers, or other accounts, update those records after you change it.
  • Twitter does not notify your followers when you change your handle, so you may need to post about the change or update your bio.
  • You can change your handle back to a previous one if someone has not claimed it, but you cannot reserve old handles.

Step-by-step: changing your handle on any device

Open Twitter and tap or click your profile picture in the top left corner (on phone) or top right (on computer). Select "Settings and Privacy" from the menu. Then go to "Account" and look for "Username" — this is different from "Display Name," which is just the name people see in your profile.

Click or tap the username field. Delete your current handle and type the new one you want. Twitter shows you when ready whether it is available — if the field turns red or shows an error, that handle is taken. If it stays normal, the handle is free. Click "Save" or the checkmark button. The change takes effect when ready, and you are done.

Your followers stay connected to your account. They will still see your tweets in their feed and can still message you. But they will not get a notification that you changed your handle, so if you want people to know, post about it or update your bio to mention the change.

What happens to your old handle

The moment you change your handle, your old one goes back into the pool of available handles. Twitter does not hold it for you, and anyone can claim it — including someone trying to impersonate you or scam people who knew you by that old name. This is a real risk if your handle was well-known or if you used it in professional contexts.

If you think you might want your old handle back, you have a small window to reclaim it before someone else does. You can change back to it when ready after switching away, as long as no one else has taken it. After that, you would have to wait for the person who claimed it to abandon it, which could be never.

For this reason, do not change your handle on a whim. If your handle is tied to your professional identity, a business, or a community you are part of, think through whether you really want to let it go. If you do change it, consider posting a notice so people know where to find you.

Updating your handle in other places

If you use your Twitter handle as part of your email address, in password recovery options, or as a username on other websites, you need to update those records. Check any accounts where you listed your Twitter handle as a contact method or identifier.

Password managers like 1Password, Bitwarden, or the one built into your phone often store your Twitter login. Open your password manager and update the username field there so you do not get locked out. If you use two-factor authentication on Twitter, make sure your backup phone number or email is current — you will need it if you ever lose access to your account.

If you have a business account or a verified account (with the blue checkmark), changing your handle does not affect your verification status. Your account stays verified under the new handle. But if people search for your old handle, they will not find you anymore, so update your bio, website, or anywhere else you list your Twitter presence.

Choosing a new handle that is harder to impersonate

When you pick a new handle, think about what makes it straightforward for someone to copy. Handles that are very close to yours — like adding an extra underscore or number — are common impersonation tactics. If your handle is @JennySmith, someone might try @JennySmith1 or @Jenny_Smith to confuse people.

Pick a handle that is distinct enough that a misspelling would be obvious. Avoid handles that are too generic or that match your full name exactly, because those are easier to guess and easier to impersonate convincingly. If you are a public figure or run a business, consider whether you want your handle to include your name at all, or whether something more unique is safer.

You cannot reserve multiple handles or lock down variations of your name. But you can make it harder for someone to impersonate you by choosing something that stands out as distinctly yours, and by keeping your bio and profile picture consistent so people recognize you.

If someone else claims your old handle

If you change your handle and someone else claims your old one within minutes, you cannot force them to give it back. Twitter does not have a process for reclaiming handles from other users. Your only option is to ask them directly, but most people will not give it up.

If the person using your old handle is impersonating you — using your photo, pretending to be you, or scamming people — that is a violation of Twitter's rules. You can report the account through Twitter's reporting system. Go to the account, tap the three dots, select "Report @username," and choose "It is impersonating me." Twitter reviews impersonation reports, though the process can take time.

The best defense is to move fast: if you change your handle and realize you made a mistake, change back to it when ready, before anyone else can claim it. After that, your old handle is gone, and you have to live with that choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my followers unfollow me if I change my handle?

No. Your followers stay connected to your account when you change your handle. They will continue to see your tweets and you will remain in their follower list. Twitter only cares about your account ID, not your handle, so the relationship does not break.

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

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it. You can change your handle back when ready after switching to a new one. If someone else claims your old handle first, you cannot get it back unless they abandon it later.

Does changing my handle affect my verified status?

No. If your account has a blue checkmark, it stays verified when you change your handle. The verification is tied to your account, not to the specific handle you use.

What if I cannot find the username setting?

Make sure you are in Settings and Privacy, not just Settings. On a phone, tap your profile picture, then "Settings and Privacy," then "Account." On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right, then "Settings and Privacy," then "Account." The Username option should be near the top of the Account page.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my handle?

No. Twitter handles can only use letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and most special characters are not allowed. If you try to use them, Twitter will show an error and ask you to pick a different handle.