Where to find your username settings on MangaDex

MangaDex stores your username settings in your account page, not scattered across different menus. Log in to your account, then click your avatar or profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu — this takes you to your account dashboard.

Once you're in Settings, look for the "Profile" or "Account" tab on the left side. The username field sits near the top, usually labeled "Username" or "Display Name". This is the name other readers see when you comment, create lists, or interact on the site.

MangaDex does not separate your login username from your display name the way some sites do. The name you change here is both what you log in with and what appears publicly.

Key Takeaways

  • Your MangaDex username is changed through Settings > Profile, accessible from your avatar menu in the top right.
  • MangaDex requires your new username to be between 1 and 40 characters and contain only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • You cannot change your username more than once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you submit.
  • If your new username is already taken, the site will tell you when ready and you'll need to pick a different one.

Username rules and what you cannot use

MangaDex enforces specific rules on what characters and length your new username can have. Your username must be between 1 and 40 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, and accented letters are not allowed.

The site checks whether your chosen name is already in use by another account. If it is, you'll see an error message telling you the username is taken. You cannot reserve a username or put it on a waitlist — you need to pick a different one and try again.

MangaDex also reserves certain usernames for system use. If you try to use a name like "Admin", "System", or "Moderator", the site will reject it. The exact list of reserved names is not public, but you'll know when ready if you've chosen one because the form will refuse to accept it.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This is a site-wide rule with no exceptions. The timer starts the moment you submit your new username, not when you confirm an email or complete any other step.

This waiting period exists to prevent confusion in the community — if usernames could change constantly, other readers would have trouble recognizing who posted what comment or created which list. It also reduces spam and account-takeover tactics where someone rapidly cycles through names to hide their activity.

Before you submit, double-check your spelling and make sure you actually want this name. You cannot undo the change or get your old name back if you change your mind during the 30-day lockout.

What happens to your old username and your reading history

When you change your username, your reading history, bookmarks, lists, and all your activity stay attached to your account. Nothing is lost. Other readers will see your new name on any comments or lists you created in the past, even though those were posted under your old username.

Your old username becomes available for someone else to use after you change it. You cannot reclaim it later unless it remains unused for a long time, and MangaDex does not publish rules about how long that is. If you think you might want your old name back, wait before changing — once someone else takes it, it is gone.

If you have a custom profile URL or link that includes your old username, that link will break after you change your name. You'll need to share your new profile URL with anyone who bookmarked the old one.

Troubleshooting a username change that will not go through

If the Settings page will not let you submit a new username, check these things first. Make sure you are actually logged in — if your session expired, you'll be redirected to the login page without a clear error message. Log out and log back in, then try again.

Verify that your new username follows the rules: no spaces, no special characters except hyphens and underscores, and between 1 and 40 characters. If you are copying and pasting the name from somewhere else, watch for hidden spaces at the beginning or end — these are invisible but will cause the form to reject it.

If you changed your username in the last 30 days, you will not be able to change it again until the waiting period ends. The Settings page should tell you when you are may be able to access to change it next. If it does not, log out completely, close your browser, and log back in — sometimes the timer display does not refresh until you start a fresh session.

Why MangaDex might not let you change your username at all

MangaDex occasionally locks accounts from making changes if it detects suspicious activity — multiple failed login attempts, rapid changes to email or password, or other signs that the account might be compromised. If you cannot access Settings or the username field is grayed out, your account may be in a restricted state.

If this happens, wait 24 hours and try again. If the restriction persists, you may need to reset your password or verify your email address. Go to the login page, click "Forgot Password", and follow the steps to reset. This often clears the restriction and lets you access Settings again.

If you still cannot change your username after resetting your password, contact MangaDex support through their official channels. The site has a contact form or support email listed in the footer of the website. Explain what you are trying to do and what error message you see, if any.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one after 30 days?

Only if no one else has claimed it. Once you change your username, your old name becomes available when ready. If another user takes it, you cannot use it again unless that person deletes their account or changes their own name — which is outside your control. Choose your new username with the assumption that you cannot go back.

Does changing my username affect my password or login?

Your password stays the same. You log in using your username, so when you change your username, you use the new name to log in next time. Your password does not change unless you change it separately in the Settings page.

Will other readers see my old username in my comment history?

No. Your old comments and activity will display under your new username. Other readers will not see your old name anywhere on the site unless they were already following your profile before you changed it and they remember what it was.

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

You cannot take over an inactive username. MangaDex does not have a policy for reclaiming usernames from dormant accounts. You will need to choose a different name. If the account is actually abandoned, it may eventually be deleted by the site, but you cannot request or speed up that process.

Can I use special characters like underscores or hyphens in my new username?

Yes. Underscores and hyphens are the only special characters allowed. You can use them anywhere in your username — at the start, end, or middle. All other special characters, including periods, apostrophes, and @ symbols, will cause the form to reject your entry.