You can change your Twitter @ name anytime from your account settings
Your Twitter handle — the @ name that appears in your profile URL and when people mention you — can be changed whenever you want. Unlike your display name, which is what shows up in large text on your profile, your handle is the permanent-looking identifier that people use to tag you in posts. Twitter lets you swap it out as often as you like, though there are a few things to know before you do.
The change takes effect when ready, but your old handle becomes available for someone else to claim after a short window. Any links to your old profile will stop working, and mentions using your old @ name won't reach you anymore. If you've shared your handle in emails, websites, or other places, you'll want to update those too.
Key Takeaways
- You change your handle in Settings and Privacy under Account, then Username — the whole process takes less than a minute.
- Your old handle becomes available for others to use after you change it, so pick a new one you're confident about before you switch.
- Old links to your profile stop working once you change your handle, so update any bios, websites, or email signatures that mention it.
- Changing your handle does not affect your followers, tweets, or any other account data — everything stays attached to your account.
- You can change your handle back to a previous one if someone hasn't claimed it in the meantime.
How to change your handle on desktop
Open Twitter in a web browser and click the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner of the screen. Select Settings and Privacy from the dropdown menu. On the left side, click Account, then scroll down to find Username.
Click the edit icon next to your current username. Type your new handle in the text box — it must start with @ and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores, but no spaces or special characters. Twitter will tell you when ready if the name is taken or if it breaks the rules. Once you've entered a handle that's available, click Save to confirm the change.
How to change your handle on mobile
Open the Twitter app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then tap Account. Scroll to Username and tap the edit icon next to it. Type your new handle and tap Save when you're done.
The process is identical on iPhone and Android — the change goes live as soon as you confirm it, and you'll see your new handle reflected everywhere on your account within seconds.
What happens to your old handle
When you change your handle, Twitter releases your old one back into the pool of available names. Other users can claim it when ready, though Twitter sometimes holds it for a brief period. If you think you might want to switch back, you should do so quickly — once someone else takes your old handle, you can't get it back unless they give it up.
Any tweets, replies, or mentions that used your old @ name will still exist, but they won't link to your profile anymore. If someone tries to click on an old mention of you, it will either show an error or take them to a different account if someone has claimed your old handle.
Updating links and references to your old handle
Search for your old handle on Google to see where it appears publicly — check your personal website, LinkedIn profile, email signature, and any bios on other social media accounts. Update these places with your new handle so people can find you easily. If you've shared your old handle in published articles, newsletters, or other permanent places, add a note directing people to your new one.
If you run a business account or have a significant following, consider announcing the change in a tweet so your followers know where to find you going forward. This is especially important if your handle is part of your brand or how people know you.
Rules and restrictions for Twitter handles
Twitter handles must be between 4 and 15 characters long and can only contain letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or other special characters. Handles are not case-sensitive — @JamesRodriguez and @jamesrodriguez are treated as the same account.
You cannot use a handle that impersonates someone else or violates Twitter's terms of service. If Twitter has suspended your account for abuse or other violations, you may not be able to change your handle until the issue is resolved. Handles that are inactive for a very long time may be reclaimed by Twitter, though this is rare.
If your desired handle is already taken
If the handle you want is taken, you have a few options. You can add numbers or underscores to make it unique — for example, @JamesRodriguez2 or @James_Rodriguez. You can also try variations of your name or a handle related to your interests or profession.
If someone is holding a handle you want but hasn't used their account in years, you can report it to Twitter for inactivity, though Twitter rarely takes action unless the account is completely dormant. The best approach is usually to pick a handle that's close to what you wanted and move forward — you can always change it again later if something better becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my handle affect my followers or tweets?
No. All your followers stay connected to your account, and every tweet you've ever posted remains on your profile. The only thing that changes is the @ name people use to mention you and the URL of your profile page.
Can I change my handle back to my old one?
Only if no one else has claimed it. If your old handle is still available, you can switch back to it anytime. If someone else has taken it, you'll need to wait for them to change it or abandon their account before you can use it again.
How often can I change my handle?
Twitter does not limit how often you can change your handle, but changing it very frequently can confuse your followers and break links across the internet. Most people change their handle once or twice, if at all.
What if I see someone using my old handle after I change mine?
That person claimed your old handle after you released it. You cannot reclaim it unless they change their handle or their account is suspended. If they're impersonating you, you can report them to Twitter for impersonation.
Does changing my handle affect my verified badge?
No. If your account is verified, your verification status stays with your account regardless of what handle you use. The blue checkmark will appear next to your new handle just as it did with your old one.