Change your TikTok username from the app or website

You can change your TikTok username directly in your account settings on either the mobile app or the web version. The process takes about two minutes and you can do it as often as you want, though TikTok enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes after your first username switch.

Your username is the handle that appears with an @ symbol — the one people use to tag you or search for your profile. This is different from your display name, which is what shows at the top of your profile and can be changed without any waiting period.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your TikTok profile, tap the three-line menu, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Username" to reach the change screen.
  • Your new username must be between 2 and 24 characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot start with a number.
  • After you change your username once, you must wait 30 days before changing it again.
  • Your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after you change it, so if you want to keep it reserved, change to something temporary instead.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, videos, or any other account data — everything stays attached to your account.

Steps to change your username on the TikTok app

On your phone, open TikTok and tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right corner, then scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy."

In Settings and privacy, tap "Account," then tap "Username." You will see your current username in a text field. Delete it and type your new username. TikTok will show you in real time whether the name is available — if it is taken, you will see a message saying so, and you will need to try a different one. Once you enter a username that is available, tap "Save" or "Confirm" (the button label varies by phone type).

TikTok will ask you to confirm the change. Tap "Yes" or "Confirm" again, and your new username is live when ready. Your profile URL changes right away, and anyone who tries to visit your old profile link will see an error.

Steps to change your username on the TikTok website

Go to TikTok.com and log into your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then click "Settings and privacy" from the dropdown menu. Click "Account" in the left sidebar, then click "Username."

The username field will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete it and type your new username. The website shows availability in real time just like the app does. Once you have entered an available username, click "Save" and confirm the change when prompted.

Username rules and what you cannot use

TikTok usernames must be between 2 and 24 characters long. You can use letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like hyphens or hashtags, or emoji. Your username cannot start with a number — it must begin with a letter or underscore.

TikTok does not allow usernames that impersonate other people or brands, though the platform does not always catch these when ready. If your username violates TikTok's community guidelines or terms of service, the platform may disable it and ask you to change it.

The 30-day waiting period explained

The first time you change your username, you can change it again right away. After that first change, TikTok locks you out of making another change for 30 days. This means if you change your username on January 15th, you cannot change it again until February 14th.

The 30-day timer resets each time you make a change. If you change your username on February 14th, the next change is not available until March 16th. This rule applies to every account, and there is no way around it — TikTok does this to prevent spam and account takeover abuse.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one becomes available for anyone else to claim when ready. If you think you might want to use that username again in the future, do not change to a permanent new name. Instead, change to something temporary (like adding numbers or underscores to your current name), wait 30 days, then change back to your original username. This keeps someone else from taking it.

Your followers, videos, likes, and all other account data stay with your account no matter what username you use. People who follow you will still see your new username on their feed, and your old videos will still be on your profile under the new name.

Troubleshooting username changes that do not work

If you see a message saying your username is unavailable even though it looks original, someone else has already claimed it. Try adding numbers, a period, or an underscore to make it unique. If the save button is grayed out or will not respond, close the app completely and reopen it, or try the change on the website instead.

If you changed your username but it is not showing up everywhere on TikTok, wait a few minutes — the change can take up to 15 minutes to sync across all of TikTok's servers. If it still has not updated after an hour, log out and log back in to force a refresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username if I am banned or suspended?

No. If your account is suspended or banned, you cannot access settings or make any changes until the suspension is lifted. If you believe your account was suspended by mistake, contact TikTok support through the app or website to appeal.

Does changing my username affect my TikTok creator fund or brand deals?

No. Your creator fund earnings and any brand partnerships stay attached to your account regardless of username changes. However, if brands have contracts that reference your old username, you may want to notify them of the change so they update their records.

What if someone else took my old username after I changed it?

Once your old username is claimed by someone else, you cannot get it back unless that person changes their username or their account is deleted. If the person is impersonating you, report their account to TikTok through the report feature on their profile.

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

No. TikTok only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Hyphens, dashes, spaces, and other special characters will cause an error when you try to save.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your new username is live on your profile when ready, but it can take up to 15 minutes to update in search results, on other people's feeds, and in notifications. If it has not updated after an hour, try logging out and back in.