Most apps and websites let you change your username at no cost through your account settings

You can change your username for free on nearly every platform — social media, email, gaming, banking, streaming. The process is usually buried in account settings or privacy controls, not advertised on the main menu. Where you find it depends on the service: some platforms call it "username," others call it "display name" or "handle." Some let you change it once a month; others have no limit. A few lock it permanently after you set it during signup.

The cost is zero. What varies is how often you can change it, whether the old username becomes available to someone else when ready, and whether the change shows up everywhere you use that account or only in certain places.

Key Takeaways

  • Most services let you change your username free through account settings, usually under "Profile," "Account," or "Privacy & Security."
  • Some platforms limit how often you can change your username — common limits are once per 30 days or once per year — while others have no restriction.
  • After you change your username, the old one usually becomes available to other users within hours or days, so someone else can claim it.
  • On some services, your old username still appears in your profile history or in messages you sent before the change.
  • A few platforms like Snapchat and some gaming services do not allow username changes at all after initial setup.

Where to find the username change option on common platforms

On Facebook, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Click "Personal Information" and look for "Username." You can change it once every 60 days. On Instagram, tap your profile icon, then Settings, then "Edit Profile." The username field is there; Instagram does not limit how often you change it. On Twitter/X, go to Settings & Privacy, then Account, then "Change Your Handle." You can change it as often as you want.

On TikTok, tap your profile, then the three lines menu, then "Settings & Privacy." Go to "Account," then "Username." TikTok allows one change every 30 days. On Reddit, you cannot change your username after you create your account — you have to make a new account if you want a different name. On Gmail, you cannot change the part before the @ symbol, but you can add a display name that appears when you send mail.

On Discord, click the user icon in the bottom left, then "User Settings," then "Account." Your username is there; Discord allows unlimited changes. On Twitch, go to Settings, then "Channel," then "General." Your username is locked and cannot be changed. On Steam, right-click your profile name, select "Edit Profile," and change your "Profile Name" — this is different from your account username, which cannot be changed.

What happens to your old username after you change it

When you change your username, the old one usually becomes available to other users within a few hours to a few days. On Instagram and Twitter, this happens almost when ready. On Facebook, it can take up to 24 hours. This means someone else can claim your old username if they want it. If you had a username that was valuable or memorable, you may want to create a second account and claim it yourself to prevent someone else from using it.

On some platforms, your old username still appears in places where you used it before the change. On Reddit, your old posts still show your old username. On Discord, old messages you sent still display your old name unless you delete them. On Twitter, your old username appears in the URL of your old tweets for a while, though your profile shows the new name. Check the specific platform's help center if you need to know whether old content will show the old or new username.

Limits on how often you can change your username

Some platforms impose waiting periods between changes to prevent spam and account takeovers. Facebook allows one change every 60 days. TikTok allows one change every 30 days. Instagram, Twitter, and Discord have no limit — you can change as often as you want. YouTube lets you change your channel name (not your account username) as often as you want, but you have to wait 14 days between changes.

If you hit a waiting period and try to change your username before it expires, the platform will show you a message saying when you can change it next. There is no way to bypass this limit. If you need a different username urgently, your only option is to create a new account on that platform.

Platforms that do not allow username changes

Snapchat does not allow you to change your username after you create your account. Your username is permanent. If you want a different username, you have to create a new Snapchat account. Twitch locks your username when you sign up and does not allow changes. Steam lets you change your profile name (the display name other players see) but not your account username. PlayStation Network and Xbox Live allow one free username change, then charge money for additional changes.

Before you create an account on any platform, check whether you can change the username later. If the platform does not allow changes and you are not sure about the name, consider using a temporary or generic username that you will not regret keeping.

How to choose a username you will not want to change later

Pick something that does not include your real name, birth year, or other personal information. Usernames with years in them (like "Sarah2005") become outdated and embarrassing. Avoid inside jokes or references that will not make sense in a few years. Do not use your pet's name or your child's name — these can become security risks if someone figures out your password recovery questions.

Use something straightforward and straightforward to spell. If people have to ask you how to spell your username, it is too complicated. Avoid numbers and special characters unless they are essential — they make your username harder to share and remember. Test the username on a few platforms before you commit to it. If it is available everywhere, that is a good sign it is not already taken or associated with someone else.

What to do if your desired username is already taken

If the username you want is taken on a platform, you have a few options. Add a number to the end — "username123" or "username2024." Add an underscore or period — "user_name" or "user.name." Use a variation of the word — "usernames" or "theusername." Check whether the account using that username is active. On some platforms, if an account has been inactive for years, you can report it and request the username, though this rarely works.

If the taken username belongs to someone famous or a brand, you will not be able to claim it. If it belongs to a spam account or a bot, reporting it to the platform may get it removed, which would free up the username. But this process is slow and not may provide. Your best option is usually to pick a different username that you like just as much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username affect my password or login?

No. Your password stays the same. You log in with your email address or account username (depending on the platform), and changing your display name does not change either of those. On platforms where your username is your login, you cannot change it at all.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes, on most platforms. Your profile, friends list, and followers stay the same. Your old username becomes available to others, but your account itself does not disappear. On some platforms like Discord, your old username still appears in your message history, so people can see who sent a message even after you change your name.

Can I get my old username back if I change my mind?

Not directly. Once you change your username, you cannot claim it again unless no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone else has taken it, you would have to ask them to release it, which they have no reason to do. If no one has claimed it yet, you can change your username back to the old one, but this counts against your change limit on platforms that have one.

What if I forgot where the username setting is on my platform?

Search the platform's help center for "change username" or "edit profile." Most platforms have a dedicated help article with screenshots showing exactly where to find it. If you cannot find it, the platform may not allow username changes, or it may use different terminology like "display name" or "handle."

Do I need to pay to change my username?

No, not on most platforms. The only exceptions are PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, which allow one free change and then charge for additional ones. Every other major platform — Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Discord, YouTube, Gmail — offers unlimited or frequent changes at no cost.