Robinhood does not let you change your username after you create your account

When you sign up for Robinhood, the username you choose becomes permanent. Unlike many other apps, Robinhood does not offer a built-in setting to change it later. This is a deliberate design choice — your username is tied to your account identity and trading history, so the platform treats it as a fixed part of your account rather than a changeable preference.

If you need a different username, your only option is to close your current account and create a new one. This means starting fresh with a new email address, new account verification, and no access to your previous trading history or account data through the new username.

Key Takeaways

  • Robinhood usernames cannot be changed once your account is created, even by contacting customer support.
  • Creating a new account with a different username requires a separate email address and full re-verification.
  • Any stocks, cash, or account history in your old account stays there and does not transfer to a new account.
  • Before closing an account, withdraw any remaining cash and sell or transfer out any holdings you want to keep.
  • Robinhood support can help you close your account, but they cannot recover or migrate data to a new username.

Why Robinhood locks usernames to accounts

Your Robinhood username serves as part of your account identity for regulatory and security reasons. Brokerage accounts are tied to tax records, trading history, and account verification — all of which connect to your username. Allowing username changes would create confusion in those records and could introduce security gaps.

The username also appears in your account settings and is used to identify you within the platform's systems. Changing it after you have already traded would require Robinhood to update records across multiple internal systems, which is why they chose to make it permanent instead.

What happens to your account if you want a new username

If you decide to create a new account with a different username, you will need to start completely fresh. This means opening a new account with a different email address, going through identity verification again, and depositing new funds if you want to trade.

Your old account will still exist with your original username. Any cash, stocks, or other holdings remain in that account. You can keep the old account open for reference, or you can close it — but closing it does not transfer anything to your new account. You would need to manually withdraw cash and sell or transfer stocks before closing the old account if you want to move those assets to your new account.

Steps to close your Robinhood account if you want to start over

Before you close your account, make sure you have withdrawn all cash and sold or transferred out any stocks or other holdings you want to keep. Once an account is closed, you cannot recover assets left inside it.

To close your account, open the Robinhood app and go to your Account menu. Tap the Settings icon (usually a gear symbol), then scroll down to find Account or Account Settings. Look for an option labeled Close Account or Deactivate Account. Robinhood will ask you to confirm and may ask why you are closing it. Follow the prompts to complete the closure.

If you cannot find the close account option in the app, you can contact Robinhood support through the Help section in your account. Select Contact Us and explain that you want to close your account. Support can walk you through the process or close it for you, but they will ask you to confirm that you have withdrawn all your money first.

Creating a new Robinhood account with a different username

Once your old account is closed, you can create a new one. Open the Robinhood app or go to the Robinhood website and select Sign Up. You will need a different email address than the one attached to your old account — Robinhood does not allow the same email to be used for multiple accounts.

During signup, you will choose your new username. Take time with this choice since you cannot change it again. You will then go through identity verification, which involves providing your Social Security number, date of birth, and address. This is the same process you went through for your first account.

After verification is complete, you can link a bank account and deposit funds to start trading. Your new account will have no history or holdings from your previous account — it is a completely separate account in Robinhood's system.

What you lose when you create a new account

A new account means losing access to your trading history, performance records, and any tax documents associated with your old account. If you have held stocks for a long time or made many trades, that history will not appear in your new account.

You also lose any account-specific features or settings you had configured. If you had watchlists, alerts, or custom settings in your old account, you will need to set those up again from scratch in your new account.

For tax purposes, keep your old account information or read your tax documents before closing it. Your brokerage tax forms (like 1099 reports) are tied to your old account and username, and you may need them when you file taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Robinhood support change my username for me?

No. Robinhood support cannot change usernames under any circumstances. They can only help you close your account or troubleshoot login issues. If you need a different username, you must create a new account.

Will my stocks transfer to a new account if I create one?

No. Stocks and cash stay in the account where they were purchased. You would need to sell them in your old account and withdraw the cash, then deposit that money into your new account and repurchase the stocks. This may trigger tax events, so consider consulting a tax professional first.

Can I use the same email address for my new Robinhood account?

No. Robinhood requires a different email address for each account. You will need to create or use another email address when you sign up for your new account.

What if I forgot my username and want to change it?

If you forgot your username but still have access to your account, you can find it in your Account Settings or by looking at your confirmation emails from when you signed up. If you cannot recover it, contact Robinhood support — they can tell you your username but cannot change it.

How long does it take to close a Robinhood account?

Closing typically happens when ready once you confirm it in the app or with support. However, if you have pending transactions or unsettled trades, those must complete first. Robinhood will let you know if there are any holds on your account before closure.