You can change your TikTok username directly in the app settings, and it takes about two minutes

Open TikTok and tap the profile icon at the bottom right. Go to Edit profile, then tap the username field (the one that starts with @). Type your new username and tap Save. TikTok will tell you when ready if the name is taken or contains blocked words.

You can change your username as often as you want, with no waiting period between changes. The old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so if you think you might want it back later, write it down first.

Your display name (the regular name that appears above your username) is separate and can be changed anytime without the same restrictions. The username is what people use to find and mention you — it has to be unique on TikTok, while your display name does not.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your username in Edit profile by tapping the @ username field and typing a new one.
  • Usernames must be between 2 and 24 characters, contain only letters, numbers, underscores, and periods, and cannot start with a number.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use as soon as you change it, so save it if you think you might want it back.
  • If your desired username is taken, TikTok will show you that when ready — you cannot reserve a name or join a waitlist.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, videos, or any other account data.

What characters and length rules explore to TikTok usernames

TikTok usernames must be between 2 and 24 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, underscores, and periods. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, $, or &.

Your username cannot start with a number — it has to begin with a letter, underscore, or period. TikTok also blocks usernames that contain certain words or phrases, though the full list is not public. If you try to save a username and it is rejected, the app will say "Username unavailable" without explaining why — usually it means the name is taken, starts with a number, or contains a blocked word.

The username is case-insensitive, meaning @MyName and @myname are treated as the same account. TikTok will display it however you type it, but people can find you by typing it in any case.

Why you might want to change your username and when to think twice

Change your username if it no longer represents you, if you want something shorter or easier to spell, or if you are concerned about privacy — for example, if your old username included your real name or location. You might also change it if you are starting to use TikTok for a different purpose, like moving from personal videos to business content.

Think twice before changing your username if people know you by the old one. Your followers will still follow you, but anyone trying to find you by typing your old username will not find your account. If you have shared your username in other places — in your Instagram bio, in a YouTube video description, on a business card — you will need to update those links too.

If you use your TikTok username in your email address or as a login for other services, changing it will not affect those accounts. Your TikTok login stays tied to your phone number or email address, not your username.

How to find a username that is not already taken

The easiest way is to try the name you want. Go to Edit profile, tap the username field, type what you want, and tap Save. If it is taken, TikTok will say so when ready. If it is available, you will see a checkmark and the change will go through.

If your first choice is taken, try adding numbers, underscores, or periods. For example, if @sarah is taken, you might try @sarah.2024, @sarah_, or @sarahh. You can also search for the username you want by going to the search tab, typing @ followed by the name, and seeing if a profile comes up. If no profile appears, the username is likely available.

Keep in mind that just because a username does not appear in search does not may provide it is available — some accounts are private or deleted but the username is still reserved. The only way to know for sure is to try to claim it yourself.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim when ready after you change it. TikTok does not hold it for you or give you a grace period. If you think you might want it back someday, write it down and keep it somewhere safe.

If you change your mind within a few minutes, you can change your username back to the old one — but only if no one else has claimed it yet. Once someone else takes it, you cannot get it back unless that person changes their username or deletes their account.

This is different from some other platforms. Instagram, for example, holds your old username for 14 days. TikTok does not, so act quickly if you realize you made a mistake.

How changing your username affects your account and followers

Changing your username does not affect your followers, videos, likes, or any other data on your account. Everyone who followed you before the change will still follow you after. Your videos stay where they are, with the same view counts and comments.

The only thing that changes is the @ handle people use to find and mention you. If someone tagged you in a video or comment using your old username, that tag will no longer work as a clickable link — it will just appear as text. New tags and mentions will use your new username.

Your profile URL also changes. If your old URL was tiktok.com/@oldname, it becomes tiktok.com/@newname. Any links to your old profile URL will not work, so if you have shared your TikTok link anywhere, update it.

Troubleshooting: what to do if you cannot change your username

If the Edit profile button is grayed out or you cannot tap the username field, you may have a new account. TikTok sometimes restricts username changes on very new accounts for the first few days. Wait a few days and try again.

If you see an error message like "Please try again later," close the app completely and reopen it. Make sure you are using the latest version of TikTok — go to your device's app store and check for updates. If the problem continues, try changing your username on a different device or on the TikTok website (tiktok.com) instead of the app.

If your account has been flagged for violating TikTok's community guidelines, you may temporarily lose the ability to change your username. In that case, you will see a message explaining the restriction. Wait until the restriction is lifted, which usually happens after a few days or weeks depending on the violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Only if no one else has claimed it. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available when ready. If someone else takes it, you cannot get it back. If you want to reclaim an old username, do it right away before someone else does.

Does changing my username affect my TikTok creator fund or brand deals?

No. Your creator account status, earnings, and any brand partnerships stay the same. Brands and TikTok track your account by your account ID, not your username, so changing the name does not affect your may be able to access or payments.

What if the username I want contains a word TikTok blocked?

You will see "Username unavailable" when you try to save it, but TikTok will not tell you why. Try a variation — add a number, underscore, or period, or replace one letter with a similar-looking character. If you believe the block is a mistake, you can report it through the app, though TikTok does not always respond to these reports.

Can I reserve a username before I create my account?

No. You have to create an account first, then set your username. You cannot claim a username without an active TikTok account, and you cannot hold multiple usernames on one account.

If I delete my TikTok account, does my old username become available right away?

TikTok holds deleted accounts for 30 days before permanently removing them. During that time, the username is still reserved and no one else can use it. After 30 days, the username becomes available for anyone to claim.