You can change your Snapchat username once every 30 days through the app settings

Snapchat lets you change your username, but only once per month. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely in the app — you do not need to contact Snapchat support or use a computer. After you change it, your friends can find you by either your old username or your new one for 24 hours, which gives them time to update their contacts.

Your username is different from your display name. The username is what appears in your profile URL and what people search for to add you. The display name is what shows up in conversations and can be changed as often as you want. If you only want to change how your name looks to friends, you can do that without waiting for the 30-day window.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon, then tap the username field to see your change option and the date you can change it again.
  • Your new username must be between 2 and 15 characters, use only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot be taken by another account.
  • After you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days.
  • Your friends can still find you by your old username for 24 hours after the change, so you do not need to tell everyone when ready.
  • If you want to change how your name appears without waiting, change your display name instead — that has no time limit.

Steps to change your username in Snapchat

Start by opening Snapchat and tapping your profile icon in the top-left corner of the camera screen. This takes you to your profile page. Look for your username near the top — it will be in smaller text below your display name.

Tap directly on your username. A menu will appear showing your current username and a button that says "Change Username" or "Edit Username" depending on your app version. If the button is grayed out, you have not yet waited 30 days since your last change. The screen will show you the exact date you become able to change it again.

Tap the change button and type your new username into the field that appears. Snapchat will check in real time whether the name is available. If it is taken, you will see a message saying so, and you will need to try a different one. Once you find one that works, tap the confirmation button to save it.

Rules for your new username

Snapchat usernames must be between 2 and 15 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or &. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "JamesRod" and "jamesrod" are treated as the same account.

Your username cannot be the same as any other active Snapchat account. If someone else is using a name you want, you cannot have it unless they delete their account and you claim it before anyone else does. Snapchat does not reserve usernames or hold them for you.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one does not disappear right away. For 24 hours, both your old and new usernames will direct people to your account. This means your friends can still find you by searching for your old name during that window, even though you have a new one.

After 24 hours, your old username becomes unavailable to you but is not when ready open for others to claim. Snapchat holds it for 30 days. After those 30 days pass, someone else can register that username. If you change your mind and want your old username back, you would have to wait until someone else claims it and then hope they change theirs — there is no way to reserve it.

Changing your display name instead of your username

If you want to change how your name appears to friends but do not want to wait 30 days, change your display name instead. Your display name is what shows up in conversations and on your profile, but it is not what people search for to find you. You can change it as many times as you want with no waiting period.

To change your display name, go to your profile, tap the settings icon (it looks like a gear), scroll down to "Username," and look for "Display Name" just above or below it. Tap that field and type your new display name. It can be longer than your username, can include spaces, and can be anything you want. Save it and the change takes effect when ready.

Troubleshooting username changes that do not work

If the change button is grayed out, you have already changed your username within the last 30 days. Snapchat enforces a strict 30-day window between changes. The screen will tell you the exact date you can change it again. There is no way to bypass this or change it sooner.

If you see an error message when you try to save a new username, the most common reason is that someone else has claimed it in the time between when you typed it and when you hit save. Try a different variation — add a number, use an underscore, or shorten it. If the username you want is taken and you really need it, you can only wait and hope the person using it deletes their account.

If your app is not showing the username field at all, make sure you are on the latest version of Snapchat. Go to your device's app store, search for Snapchat, and update it if an update is available. Log out and back in after updating. If the field still does not appear, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Snapchat limits username changes to once every 30 days. This is a hard limit with no exceptions. If you need to change it again, you will have to wait until the 30-day window passes from your last change.

Will my friends lose me if I change my username?

No. Your friends will not be removed from your contact list, and they can still find you by your old username for 24 hours after the change. After that, they can find you by your new username. You do not need to tell them about the change unless you want to.

What if someone takes my old username after I change it?

After 30 days, your old username becomes available for anyone to claim. If someone takes it, you cannot get it back unless they delete their account. Snapchat does not have a way to reserve or reclaim old usernames, so if you think you might want it back, do not change it.

Is my username the same as my phone number or email on Snapchat?

No. Your username is separate from your phone number and email. You can change your username without affecting how people contact you or how you log in. Your phone number or email is what you use to sign into your account.

Can I have spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Snapchat usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, and special characters like @, #, or $ are not allowed. If you want a name with spaces, use your display name instead.