Where to find your username setting in Snapchat

Your Snapchat username is the handle other people use to add you — it's different from your display name, which is what appears above your messages. To change it, open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Then tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Once you're in Settings, scroll down until you see "Username" listed under your account information. Tap on it. Snapchat will show you your current username and a field where you can enter a new one. Type the new username you want, then tap the checkmark or confirm button to save the change.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Snapchat username by going to Settings, finding the Username field, and entering a new handle.
  • Snapchat usernames can only be changed once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you confirm.
  • Your username must be between 2 and 15 characters, contain only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot start with a number.
  • Changing your username does not affect your display name, which is what friends see in their chat list.
  • People who have you added will still be able to find you after you change your username — the change is when ready for them.

Rules for what your new username can be

Snapchat enforces specific rules about what characters and length your username can have. Your username must be between 2 and 15 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase or lowercase), numbers, periods, and underscores, but no spaces or special characters like hyphens, dashes, or symbols.

Your username cannot start with a number — it must begin with a letter or underscore. If you try to use a username that breaks these rules, Snapchat will show an error message and won't let you save it. If you see an error, check that you haven't used spaces, that your first character is a letter or underscore, and that you're not using any symbols Snapchat doesn't allow.

When a username is already taken

If the username you want is already in use by someone else, Snapchat will tell you the name is unavailable and won't let you use it. You'll need to choose a different one. Try adding a number, an underscore, or a period to make it unique — for example, if "sarah_photos" is taken, you could try "sarah_photos1" or "sarah.photos".

There's no waiting list or way to reserve a username that's currently taken. If you see a username you want but it's unavailable, your only option is to pick something else or check back later in case the account that holds it becomes inactive.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Snapchat limits how often you can change your username — you can only do it once every 30 days. This means if you change your username today, you won't be able to change it again for 30 days from that date. Snapchat will show you a countdown timer telling you when you'll be able to change it next.

Because of this restriction, take time to think about your new username before you confirm the change. If you realize you made a typo or don't like the name you chose, you'll have to wait the full 30 days before you can change it again. Write out your new username and read it back to yourself before you tap confirm.

What happens to your old username after you change it

When you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to take. Snapchat doesn't hold it for you or let you claim it back later. If you think you might want to use your old username again someday, keep in mind that someone else could grab it in the meantime.

Your friends and contacts will still be able to find you after the change because Snapchat keeps track of your account separately from your username. They don't need to re-add you or update anything on their end — the change happens when ready for them. However, if someone new wants to add you, they'll need to search for your new username, not the old one.

Difference between username and display name

Snapchat has two separate name fields, and it's straightforward to confuse them. Your username is the handle people search for and use to add you — it's what appears in your profile URL and in search results. Your display name is what shows up in your friends' chat list and above your messages.

You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period, but your username is restricted to once every 30 days. If you just want to change what your friends see you as in their chat list, change your display name instead — it's faster and has no restrictions. To change your display name, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, and edit it there.

Troubleshooting if the change won't save

If you're trying to change your username and Snapchat keeps showing an error or won't let you confirm, check a few things first. Make sure you're not trying to change it more than once in 30 days — if you've already changed it recently, you'll have to wait. Verify that your new username follows the rules: no spaces, no special characters except periods and underscores, between 2 and 15 characters, and starting with a letter or underscore.

If the username is available and follows all the rules but still won't save, try closing Snapchat completely and opening it again. Make sure you're using the latest version of the app — if your app is outdated, it can cause problems. If you've tried all of this and it still doesn't work, you may need to contact Snapchat support through the app's help section.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not when ready. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for anyone else to take. If you want to use it again, you'd have to wait until someone else claims it and then stops using it, which is unlikely. Plan your username change carefully since you can't easily go back.

Will my friends lose me if I change my username?

No. Your friends will still have you added and can still message you. The username change doesn't affect existing friendships or your contact list. People who already have you added will see the change when ready, but they don't need to do anything on their end.

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

No. Snapchat only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Hyphens, dashes, spaces, and other symbols will cause an error. If you want to separate words, use an underscore or period instead.

What if I forgot my current username?

Open Snapchat and go to Settings. Your current username is displayed right there in the Username field. You can also find it on your profile page by tapping your profile icon. If you're having trouble accessing your account, contact Snapchat support through the app.

Can I have the same username on Snapchat and Instagram?

Yes, but they're completely separate accounts. Changing your username on one platform doesn't change it on the other. You'd need to change each username independently through each app's settings.