Change your Bigo username in settings, but only once every 30 days
You can change your Bigo Live username through the app's account settings. Open Bigo Live, tap your profile icon in the bottom right, select Settings, then choose Account and Change Username. Type your new username and confirm. The change takes effect when ready, but Bigo enforces a 30-day waiting period before you can change it again.
Your username is different from your display name. The username is what appears in your profile URL and what other users type to find you. The display name is what shows above your live streams and in chat. You can change your display name as often as you want, but the username has the 30-day restriction.
Key Takeaways
- Bigo usernames can be changed through Settings > Account > Change Username, and the new name takes effect right away.
- You must wait 30 days between username changes, so choose carefully before you confirm.
- Your username and display name are separate — only the username has the 30-day cooldown.
- Usernames can contain letters, numbers, and underscores, but cannot start with a number or contain spaces.
- If your desired username is taken, you will see an error message and must choose a different one.
What happens to your old username after you change it
When you change your username, your old one becomes available for other users to claim after a short delay. Bigo does not reserve old usernames for the original owner. If you change from "StreamerJoe" to "StreamerJoe2024", someone else can register "StreamerJoe" within a few hours.
Your followers and subscribers stay connected to your account regardless of the username change. Their follow lists update automatically, and they will still receive notifications when you go live. However, any direct links people saved to your profile using the old username will no longer work.
Username requirements and what Bigo will reject
Bigo usernames must be between 3 and 20 characters long. You can use lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Usernames cannot start with a number, contain spaces, or use uppercase letters — Bigo converts all letters to lowercase automatically.
Bigo will reject usernames that contain profanity, impersonate public figures, or violate the platform's community guidelines. If you try to use a username that breaks these rules, you will see a rejection message explaining why. The system does not tell you exactly which word triggered the block, so if you are unsure, try removing potentially problematic words and resubmit.
Changing your display name instead of your username
If you want to change how your name appears on stream without waiting 30 days, change your display name instead. Go to Settings > Account > Edit Profile, then update the display name field. This change takes effect when ready and has no cooldown period.
Your display name is what viewers see during your live streams and in the chat. It can be different from your username and can include spaces, special characters, and uppercase letters. Many streamers use their display name for branding (like "🎮 Joe's Gaming Room") while keeping their username straightforward for searchability.
Troubleshooting a username change that will not go through
If you see an error when trying to change your username, the most common reasons are: the username is already taken, you changed it less than 30 days ago, the username violates community guidelines, or you are not connected to the internet. Check that your new username is not already in use by searching for it in Bigo's user directory first.
If you changed your username recently and the system says you must wait, count back 30 days from the date of your last change. Bigo counts this as a full calendar month, not 30 rolling days. If you changed your username on March 15, you can change it again on April 15. If the error persists after 30 days have passed, try logging out completely, closing the app, and logging back in to refresh your account status.
How other users will find you after your username changes
After you change your username, viewers can find you by searching for your new username or your display name. They can also find you through your follower list if they already follow you, or through your channel link if they saved it before the change. However, old links that used your previous username will return a "user not found" error.
If you have shared your Bigo profile link on social media or other platforms, update those links to use your new username. You can find your current profile link by going to your profile, tapping the share icon, and copying the link that appears. Sharing the updated link ensures new viewers can find you without having to search.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Not when ready. Once you change your username, you must wait 30 days before changing it again. If someone else has claimed your old username in the meantime, you cannot reclaim it. Plan your username changes carefully, because reclaiming an old name may not be possible.
What if someone else takes my old username after I change mine?
Bigo does not reserve old usernames. If you change from "JoeStreams" to "JoeStreams2024" and someone registers "JoeStreams" before you change back, that username belongs to them now. You would need to choose a different variation or wait to see if they abandon it.
Does changing my username affect my followers or subscribers?
No. Your followers and subscribers remain connected to your account. They will still see your streams in their feed and receive notifications when you go live. The username change is cosmetic and does not alter your account's underlying identity or relationships.
Can I use special characters or emojis in my username?
No. Bigo usernames only accept letters, numbers, and underscores. Emojis and special characters like hyphens, periods, or @ symbols are not allowed. You can use these in your display name instead, which has no character restrictions.
How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere on Bigo?
The change takes effect when ready in your profile and settings. However, it may take a few minutes to update across all of Bigo's systems, including search results and other users' follower lists. If you do not see the change right away, refresh the app or log out and back in.