Twitch will change your username once every 60 days if you ask through your account settings

You can request a username change directly from Twitch without contacting support, but the process has limits. Twitch allows you to change your username once per 60 days through your account settings. If your desired name is already taken, Twitch cannot give it to you — you would need to wait for that person to change theirs or choose a different name.

The username you want must follow Twitch's naming rules: 4 to 25 characters, letters and numbers only (no spaces or special characters), and it cannot be offensive or impersonate another user. If the name breaks these rules, Twitch will reject the change request.

Changing your username does not affect your channel, followers, or stream history. Everything stays attached to your account — only the display name changes.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Twitch username once every 60 days by going to Settings > Account > Username and entering a new name.
  • Twitch cannot give you a username that another person is already using — you must choose a name that is not taken.
  • Your username must be 4 to 25 characters, contain only letters and numbers, and cannot impersonate another user or violate Twitch's content policy.
  • If you change your username, your followers, channel history, and all your content stay with your account under the new name.

How to change your username through account settings

Open Twitch and sign into your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Account. You will see a field labeled Username with your current name displayed.

Click the Change button next to your username. A text box will appear where you can type your new username. Enter the name you want and click Confirm. Twitch will check whether the name is available and follows the naming rules. If it passes, the change takes effect when ready.

If Twitch rejects your request, it will tell you why — usually because the name is taken, contains invalid characters, or violates the content policy. You can try a different name right away. The 60-day waiting period only starts after a successful change.

What happens if the username you want is already taken

Twitch does not have a waitlist or reservation system for taken usernames. If someone else has the name you want, you cannot request it from Twitch or ask Twitch to contact that person on your behalf. Your only options are to choose a different name or wait for the other person to change theirs.

You can check whether a username is taken by visiting twitch.tv/[username]. If the page shows a channel, the name is in use. If the page shows an error, the name is available. Some people hold inactive accounts with popular names, so a name may be taken even if the channel has no streams or followers.

Username rules and what Twitch will reject

Your username must be between 4 and 25 characters long and can contain only letters (a–z, A–Z) and numbers (0–9). Twitch does not allow spaces, hyphens, underscores, or special characters in usernames. If you try to use any of these, the change request will fail.

Twitch also rejects usernames that impersonate real people, celebrities, or other streamers, or that violate Twitch's content policy by being hateful, sexual, or promoting illegal activity. The rules are enforced when you submit the change, so you will know when ready if your choice is not allowed.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Once you successfully change your username, you must wait 60 days before you can change it again. This timer starts from the date of your last successful change, not from when you attempted a change that was rejected. If you change your username on January 15, you cannot change it again until March 16.

Twitch enforces this limit to prevent people from rapidly cycling through names to confuse followers or avoid moderation. There is no way to bypass the 60-day wait, and Twitch support cannot override it even if you contact them.

When to contact Twitch support instead

If your account was hacked and someone else changed your username, contact Twitch support through your account settings or at support.twitch.tv. Explain what happened and provide details about when you last had access to your account. Twitch may reset your username or grant an exception to the 60-day rule if your account was compromised.

If you believe a username violates Twitch's policy — for example, if it impersonates you or another person — you can report it to Twitch. Go to the channel, click the three-dot menu, and select Report User. Twitch will review the report, but they do not may provide the username will be changed or that the account will be suspended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 60 days?

No. Twitch enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between username changes. The timer starts after a successful change, and there is no exception process. You must wait the full 60 days before you can request another change.

What happens to my followers and channel when I change my username?

Your followers, channel history, and all your content stay with your account. Your followers will see your new username, but they do not need to re-follow you or re-subscribe. Your channel URL changes to match your new username.

Can Twitch give me a username that someone else is using?

No. Twitch does not transfer usernames between accounts or force someone to change their name so you can have it. If the name you want is taken, you must choose a different name or wait for that person to change theirs on their own.

What if I want to change my display name instead of my username?

Your display name and username are the same on Twitch. When you change your username through Settings, that is also your display name. Some platforms separate these, but Twitch does not.

Can I get my old username back after I change it?

Once you change your username, you cannot reclaim the old one when ready. If you want to use your previous username again, you must wait for someone else to claim it or contact Twitch support to discuss your specific situation. There is no automatic reclaim option.