You can change your Twitter handle anytime, and your followers stay with you

Your Twitter handle — the @username that appears in your profile — can be changed in your account settings without losing your followers, your tweets, or your verification badge if you have one. The change takes effect when ready. The only thing that changes is the name people use to mention you and find your profile.

Twitter does not limit how many times you can change your handle, but there is a practical catch: if you change it, someone else can claim your old handle within minutes. If you want to keep that old handle reserved, you will need a second account or a workaround.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your handle by going to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Username — the whole process takes less than a minute.
  • Your followers, tweets, and verification status move with you when you change your handle; only the @username changes.
  • Your old handle becomes available for anyone else to claim as soon as you release it, so plan ahead if you want to keep it.
  • If you are locked out of your account, you cannot change your handle until you regain access through email or phone verification.
  • Changing your handle does not affect your direct messages, but people who had your old handle bookmarked or saved will need to find your new one.

The steps to change your handle on desktop

Open Twitter in a web browser and log in. Click the three dots (more) icon in the top left corner, then select Settings and Privacy. From the left menu, click Account. You will see a section labeled Username with your current handle displayed.

Click the Edit button next to your username. A text box will appear with your current handle. Delete the @ symbol and the name, then type your new handle. Twitter will show you in real time whether the handle is available — if it is taken, the box will turn red and show "Username unavailable." Once you have chosen an available handle, click Save. The change is live when ready.

The steps to change your handle on mobile

Open the Twitter app and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then Account. Tap Username. You will see your current handle with an Edit button next to it.

Tap Edit and replace your current handle with a new one. As you type, Twitter shows whether the name is available. Once you have chosen an available handle, tap Save. The change takes effect right away, and you will be returned to your profile.

What happens to your old handle after you change it

Your old handle becomes available for anyone on Twitter to claim. If you had a recognizable or valuable handle, someone may register it within minutes. There is no way to reserve your old handle or put it on hold.

If you want to keep your old handle, you have two options: create a second Twitter account and claim the old handle with that account, or do not change your handle at all. Some people create a second account with their old handle and use it as a redirect — they put a link to their new account in the bio so followers who find the old handle can find them. This requires maintaining two accounts, which takes time.

What stays the same when you change your handle

Your followers do not need to re-follow you. All your tweets remain on your account with the new handle. If you are verified (you have a blue checkmark), your verification status stays with you. Your direct messages are still there, and conversations with other users are not affected.

Links to your old tweets will break if someone else claims your old handle and then deletes those tweets or makes their account private. For this reason, if you have shared links to your tweets publicly or in important documents, changing your handle can create dead links. You may want to take screenshots of important tweets before you change your handle.

If you cannot change your handle because your account is locked

Twitter locks accounts for security reasons — usually because of unusual login activity or a password reset. If you see a message saying you cannot change your username, your account is likely locked. You will need to unlock it first.

Go to the account recovery page on Twitter's website. Enter your email address or phone number associated with your account. Twitter will send you a verification code. Enter the code, and you will be able to reset your password and regain full access to your account, including the ability to change your handle. This process usually takes a few minutes.

Handles with special characters and what Twitter allows

Twitter handles can contain letters, numbers, and underscores only. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or special characters like @, #, or &. Handles are not case-sensitive — @JohnSmith and @johnsmith are the same handle, and Twitter will not let you create both.

Your handle must be between 4 and 15 characters long. If you try to use a handle that is too short, too long, or contains characters Twitter does not allow, the text box will turn red and show an error message. Twitter will also not let you use handles that impersonate public figures or brands, though this is enforced more strictly for verified accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my followers be notified when I change my handle?

No, Twitter does not send a notification to your followers when you change your handle. Your followers will see your new handle the next time they visit your profile or see your tweets in their feed. If you want to tell people about the change, you can post a tweet announcing your new handle or update your bio to mention it.

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

Only if no one else has claimed it. If you change your handle and someone else registers your old handle, you cannot get it back unless that person gives it to you. If you think you might want to switch back, consider creating a second account and holding your old handle there.

What if the handle I want is taken but the account looks inactive?

Twitter does not release inactive handles. Even if an account has not posted in years, you cannot claim its handle. Your only option is to choose a different handle or contact Twitter support if you believe the account is impersonating you or violating Twitter's rules.

Does changing my handle affect my Twitter verification?

No. If you have a blue checkmark, it stays with you when you change your handle. Your verification is tied to your account, not to your username.

Can I change my handle if I have been suspended or restricted?

If your account is suspended, you cannot change your handle until the suspension is lifted. If your account is restricted (you can read but not post), you may still be able to change your handle, but you should contact Twitter support to confirm what actions are available to you.