How to change your username on BeReal
You can change your BeReal username by opening the app, going to your profile, and selecting the edit option next to your current name. The process takes about one minute and does not require you to create a new account. Your friends will see your new username the next time they open the app, though they can still find you by your original username if they saved your profile.
BeReal does not let you change your username more than once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you confirm the change. If you have already changed it recently, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again.
Key Takeaways
- Open BeReal, tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner, and select the edit icon next to your username to start the change.
- Type your new username and tap confirm — the change takes effect when ready across all your BeReal activity.
- You can only change your username once every 30 days, so the app will block you if you try to change it again too soon.
- Your friends can still search for you by your old username even after you change it, so you do not need to tell everyone your new name.
Step-by-step: changing your username
Start by opening the BeReal app and tapping your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen. This takes you to your profile page, where you will see your current username, profile photo, and friend list.
Look for a small pencil or edit icon next to your username at the top of your profile. Tap that icon to enter edit mode. The username field will become active and you can now type a new name. Delete your old username completely and type the new one you want to use.
Tap the confirm or save button (the exact label depends on your phone's operating system) to finalize the change. BeReal will show a confirmation message, and your new username is now live. You can close the edit screen and return to your main feed.
What happens to your old username
Your old username does not disappear or become available for someone else to claim when ready. BeReal keeps a record of it for a period of time, which means your friends can still find you by searching your previous name. This is helpful if you change your username and some friends have not seen the update yet.
You do not need to notify your friends about the change unless you want to. They will see your new username the next time they view your profile or see you in their friends list. If someone has you saved as a contact in their phone, their phone's contact name will not change — only your username inside BeReal changes.
The 30-day waiting period explained
BeReal enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes to prevent people from constantly switching names and confusing their friends. If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed since your last change, the app will show you a message with the exact date you can change it again.
This restriction applies even if you change your username back to something you used before. The timer resets every time you make a change, so if you change your username on January 1st, you cannot change it again until February 1st at the earliest.
Username rules and restrictions
BeReal usernames must be between 2 and 30 characters long and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or most special characters like hyphens, exclamation marks, or dollar signs. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, the app will show an error and prevent you from saving.
Usernames are case-insensitive, meaning BeReal treats "JamesRodriguez" and "jamesrodriguez" as the same name. You cannot create a username that is already taken by another user, even if that user has not been active in a long time. If the name you want is taken, you will need to choose something different.
Troubleshooting: when the change does not work
If you tap confirm but your username does not change, check that you have a stable internet connection. Close the app completely and reopen it to see if the change went through — sometimes the screen does not refresh when ready even though the change was saved on BeReal's servers.
If you see an error message saying the username is unavailable, someone else has claimed it since you started typing. Try a slightly different version, such as adding a number or underscore. If you see a message about the 30-day restriction, you will need to wait until the date shown before you can change it again. Contact BeReal support through the app's settings menu if you encounter a different error that prevents you from changing your username.
Changing your username versus deleting your account
Changing your username keeps your account, your friends list, and all your BeReal memories intact. Deleting your account removes everything and is permanent after 30 days. If you only want a fresh start with a new name, changing your username is the right choice. If you want to leave BeReal entirely, you would delete your account instead.
You can change your username as many times as you want over the life of your account, as long as you wait 30 days between each change. There is no limit to the total number of changes you can make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to my old one?
Yes, you can change your username back to a previous one as long as 30 days have passed since you last changed it. The old username is not permanently reserved for you, so if someone else claims it in the meantime, you will not be able to use it again.
Will my friends lose me if I change my username?
No. Your friends will still see you in their friends list and can still message you. They can also find you by searching your old username if they do not notice the change right away. Changing your username does not affect your friendships or your ability to send and receive BeReals.
What if someone is using a username I want?
You cannot claim a username that another user has already taken. Try adding a number, underscore, or period to make it unique. If the person with that username is inactive, you still cannot take it — BeReal does not release old usernames even if accounts are dormant.
Does changing my username affect my BeReal memories or streaks?
No. Your memories, streaks, and all your BeReal history stay exactly the same. Only your display name changes. Your friends will see your new username on all your past BeReals as well.
Can I use special characters or emojis in my username?
No. BeReal only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Emojis, hyphens, spaces, and most other special characters are not permitted. If you try to use them, the app will reject your username and ask you to choose a different one.