Where to find your username settings in Teams

Your username in Microsoft Teams is the name that appears next to your messages and in the participant list during calls. To change it, open Teams and select your profile picture in the top right corner of the window or app. A menu will drop down with several options — click Profile. This takes you to a page showing your current display name, email, and other account details.

The display name you see here is what everyone in your Teams workspace sees when you send a message or join a meeting. This is different from your email address or your Microsoft account username — Teams lets you change the display name without touching either of those.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Teams display name is found in your profile settings, accessible from the profile picture menu in the top right corner.
  • You can change your display name to anything you want, but the change takes a few minutes to show up across all your Teams conversations and meetings.
  • Changing your display name does not change your email address or your Microsoft account username.
  • If you cannot edit your display name, your Teams administrator may have locked it — contact them to request a change.

The steps to change your display name

Once you are on your profile page, look for the Edit profile button or pencil icon next to your name. Click it to enter edit mode. The display name field will become editable — delete your current name and type the new one you want to use.

Type whatever name you want to appear in Teams. This can be your real name, a nickname, your first name only, or any combination of letters and numbers. There is no restriction on what you enter here, though your organization may have guidelines about what is appropriate for a work environment.

After you type your new name, look for a Save button at the bottom of the profile section. Click it to confirm the change. Teams will show a brief confirmation message, and your new name is now saved.

How long the change takes to appear everywhere

Your new display name will not show up when ready across all of Teams. It usually takes between two and five minutes for the change to appear in your active conversations, message history, and in the participant list during meetings. If you are in a call when you make the change, you may need to leave and rejoin for your new name to display.

Other people will see your updated name the next time they refresh Teams or open a conversation with you. If someone has an old message from you saved or screenshotted, it will still show your old name in that message — the change only affects new activity going forward.

What to do if you cannot edit your display name

Some Teams accounts are managed by an organization, and the administrator may have locked down who can change their own display name. If you click Edit profile and the name field is grayed out or does not respond, this is why.

Contact your Teams administrator or IT department and ask them to change your display name for you. Provide them with the new name you want to use. They can make the change from their admin panel, and it will take effect the same way as if you had changed it yourself. Some organizations allow you to request a change through a help desk or support ticket system instead of asking directly.

Changing your name on mobile Teams

If you use Teams on your phone or tablet, the process is nearly identical. Open the Teams app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Tap Profile from the menu that appears.

Look for Edit profile and tap it. The display name field will become editable. Type your new name and tap Save or Done depending on your device. The change will sync to your desktop version of Teams within a few minutes.

What stays the same when you change your name

Changing your display name in Teams does not change your email address, your Microsoft account username, or your login credentials. You will still sign in with the same email and password you always have. Your account ID and all your files, messages, and meeting history remain exactly the same.

If you need to change your actual Microsoft account email address or password, that is a separate process handled through your Microsoft account settings, not through Teams. Your Teams display name is purely cosmetic — it is what people see, but it does not affect how your account works behind the scenes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Go back to your profile, click Edit profile, and type your old name. Save the change and it takes effect the same way. There is no limit to how many times you can change your display name.

Will changing my name affect my Teams meetings or calendar?

No. Your calendar events, scheduled meetings, and meeting history all stay the same. Your new name will appear in future meetings and in the participant list, but past meetings will still show your old name in the history.

What if my organization requires a specific name format?

Check with your Teams administrator or your company's IT policy. Some organizations require names in a certain format (like "First Last" or "Department - Name"). If your admin has set rules, they may need to change your name for you to may support it meets the standard.

Does changing my display name change how I appear in other Microsoft apps?

Not automatically. Your display name in Teams is separate from your profile in Outlook, OneDrive, or other Microsoft services. If you want to change your name across all Microsoft apps, you need to change your Microsoft account profile separately.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my Teams name?

Teams allows most letters, numbers, and common punctuation, but some special characters and emojis may not work depending on your organization's settings. Try typing what you want — if it does not save, try a simpler version with just letters and numbers.