Change Your Yelp Username in Your Account Settings

You can change your Yelp username by going to your account settings and editing your profile name. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on desktop and mobile. Yelp does not limit how many times you can change your username, so you can update it whenever you want.

Your username is different from your display name — the username is what appears in your profile URL (like yelp.com/user_details?userid=yourname), while the display name is what other users see on your reviews and profile. When you change your username, both update together.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Yelp account and go to Settings, then select "Edit Profile" to reach the username field.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 40 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • Yelp checks whether your chosen username is already taken and tells you when ready if it is not available.
  • Changes take effect right away — your old username stops working and your profile URL updates within seconds.
  • You can change your username as many times as you want, with no waiting period between changes.

Steps to Change Your Username on Desktop

Start by logging into your Yelp account on a web browser. Click the profile icon in the top right corner — it usually shows your current profile picture or initials — and select "Account" from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, look for the "Settings" section on the left side. Click "Settings," then find and click "Edit Profile." You will see a field labeled "Name" near the top of the form. This is where your username lives. Clear the current text and type your new username, then scroll down and click "Save Changes." Yelp will confirm the save with a message at the top of the page.

Steps to Change Your Username on Mobile

Open the Yelp app and tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. Tap "Account" or "Settings" depending on your phone's operating system — Android shows "Account," while iPhone shows "Settings."

Tap "Edit Profile" and find the "Name" field. Delete your current username and enter the new one. Tap "Save" at the top or bottom of the screen (location varies by phone). The app will refresh and show your updated username within a few seconds.

Username Rules and What Yelp Will Not Accept

Your username must be between 3 and 40 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Yelp does not allow spaces, special characters like @, #, or !, or usernames that are only numbers.

Yelp checks in real time whether your chosen username is already taken. If someone else has it, you will see a message saying the name is unavailable. Try adding a number, a hyphen, or an underscore to make it unique. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are treated as the same username.

What Happens to Your Old Username and Links

When you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to use. Any links to your old profile URL will no longer work — if you shared a link to your reviews or profile with friends, that link will break. Your new username takes effect when ready, so your profile URL changes right away.

Your reviews, ratings, and profile information stay exactly the same. Only the username and the URL change. If you have shared your profile link on social media or a website, you will need to update those links manually to point to your new username.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you see an error message after clicking "Save Changes," the most common cause is that your username contains a character Yelp does not allow. Check that you have used only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. If the message says the username is unavailable, someone else has already claimed it — try a different variation.

If your changes do not appear after you save, try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes the app or browser needs to refresh your session to show the new username. If you are on mobile and the change does not stick, close the Yelp app completely and reopen it. If the problem continues, clear your browser cache or the app's cached data and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available again after a short delay. You can change back to it or to any other available username at any time. There is no waiting period between username changes.

Will changing my username affect my reviews or ratings?

No. Your reviews, ratings, and all your account history stay attached to your account. Only the name that displays on your profile and in your reviews changes. Restaurants and other businesses will still see your review history under your new username.

What if the username I want is taken?

Try adding a number, underscore, or hyphen to make it unique. For example, if "sarah_jones" is taken, try "sarah_jones1" or "sarah-jones." Yelp tells you when ready whether a username is available when you type it in.

Does my username have to match my real name?

No. Your username can be anything you want, as long as it follows Yelp's character rules. Many people use nicknames, initials, or made-up names. Your display name does not have to match your legal name either.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your new username appears on your profile and reviews within seconds. If you are logged in when you make the change, you may need to refresh the page or log out and back in to see it everywhere on the site.