Where to find the username change option

The location of username settings varies by service, but most follow a similar pattern. Log in to your account, then look for a menu in the top right corner — usually your profile picture, initials, or a hamburger icon (three horizontal lines). From there, find "Settings," "Account," "Profile," or "Preferences." Once inside settings, look for a section labeled "Username," "Display Name," "Account Name," or sometimes "Personal Information."

Some services hide this deeper than others. Gmail, for example, does not let you change your Gmail address itself, but you can change your display name in Google Account settings under "Personal info." Facebook lets you change your username once every 60 days from Settings > Personal Information > Username. Twitter (now X) requires a paid subscription to change your username more than once every 30 days if you have fewer than 50,000 followers.

If you cannot find the option after checking settings, the service may not allow username changes at all, or it may only allow them during account creation. Check the service's help center by searching "[service name] change username" — this is faster than clicking through menus.

Key Takeaways

  • Most services keep username settings in a "Settings" or "Account" menu accessible from your profile picture or menu icon.
  • Some services like Gmail do not let you change your email address, but do let you change your display name.
  • Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms may limit how often you can change your username or require a paid account to do so.
  • If you cannot find a username change option, the service may not support it — check the help center rather than assuming it exists.
  • Changing your username does not affect your password, email address, or account data unless the service explicitly states otherwise.

What happens to your old username when you change it

When you change your username, the old one usually becomes available for someone else to claim within a few hours to a few days. On Reddit, for example, your old username is released when ready and can be taken by another user right away. On Instagram, your old username goes into a holding period — you cannot reclaim it, but others cannot use it for 14 days.

Your account history, posts, messages, and followers stay attached to your account regardless of the username change. A person who knew your old username will not be able to find you by typing it into the search bar, but they can still find you if they have a direct link to your profile or if they follow you. On platforms like Twitter and Instagram, old links to your profile usually redirect to your new username automatically.

If you have shared your username in emails, documents, or other places, those links may break or lead to someone else's account if they claim your old username. Before changing your username, consider whether you have shared it widely and whether you want to update those references.

Usernames tied to email addresses or phone numbers

Some services use your email address as your username. Gmail, Outlook, and many banking platforms work this way — your username is literally your email address, and you cannot change it without creating a new account. If you want a different email address to log in with, you typically have to add a recovery email or phone number to your account, then use that to log in instead.

Other services let you add an alternative email or phone number to your account so you can log in with either one. Facebook, for instance, lets you add multiple email addresses and phone numbers under Settings > Personal Information > Email or Phone. You can then log in using any of them, though your primary email is the one the service uses to contact you.

If your username is your email address and you want to change it, check whether the service allows you to add a secondary email first. If not, changing your email means creating a new account — your old account and its data will remain under the old email address.

Usernames with special characters and spaces

Most services restrict what characters you can use in a username. Common rules include: letters and numbers only, no spaces, no special characters like @, #, or !, and a minimum length (often 3 to 5 characters). Some services allow periods, underscores, or hyphens, but each has its own rules.

If you try to enter a username and the system rejects it, look for the error message — it usually tells you what is not allowed. "Username can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores" is clear. If the message just says "Username not available," the name may already be taken, or it may violate the service's rules.

Spaces in usernames are almost never allowed because the system needs to treat your username as a single unit. If you want a space-like effect, use an underscore (like jane_smith) or a hyphen (like jane-smith) instead.

Changing your username on specific platforms

Instagram: Go to Settings > Edit Profile > Username. You can change it once every 14 days. Your old username is held for 14 days and cannot be used by anyone, including you.

TikTok: Go to Profile > Edit Profile > Username. There is no stated limit on how often you can change it, but TikTok may restrict rapid changes to prevent abuse.

Discord: Click your profile picture > User Settings > Account > Username. You can change it once per hour, with a limit of two changes per hour during peak times.

Reddit: Go to User Settings > Account > Username. You cannot change your username — it is permanent. If you want a different name, you must create a new account.

Twitch: Go to Settings > Channel > Channel and Videos > Channel Name. You can change it once every 60 days.

LinkedIn: Go to Me > View Profile > Edit Public Profile > Edit your custom URL. You can change your custom URL (the part after linkedin.com/in/) once every 120 days.

What to do if your desired username is taken

If the username you want is already in use, you have a few options. First, check whether the account using it is active — on many platforms, inactive accounts are eventually deleted, and their usernames become available. However, you cannot reserve a username or request that someone else's account be deleted just because you want their name.

Second, try a variation. Add a number, underscore, or short word: jane_smith, janesmith22, or jane.smith. Most people can find you this way if they know your real name, and the variation is usually available.

Third, if the account using your desired username is impersonating you or violating the service's terms, report it to the platform. Most services have a report option on the profile itself. If the account is genuinely impersonating you (using your photo, name, and personal details), the platform may remove it, freeing up the username. Reporting an account just because you want its username will not work.

Usernames and privacy: what to consider

Your username is public by default on most platforms. Anyone can see it, search for it, and use it to find your profile. If your username contains your real name, location, birth year, or other identifying information, consider whether you are comfortable with that being searchable and permanent.

Changing your username does not make your old posts or activity private — it just changes the name attached to them. If you have posted things you regret, changing your username will not hide them. You would need to delete those posts or adjust your privacy settings separately.

Some services let you make your profile private or hidden from search, which limits who can find you by username. Check your privacy settings separately from your username settings — they are usually in different places.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

It depends on the service and how long ago you changed it. On Instagram, you cannot reclaim your old username for 14 days after you change it. On most other platforms, if someone else has claimed your old username, you cannot get it back. If no one has claimed it yet, you may be able to change back to it when ready.

Will changing my username log me out of my account?

No. Changing your username does not affect your password or login credentials. You will stay logged in, and your password remains the same. You log in with your email address or phone number on most services, not your username, so the change does not affect how you access your account.

What if I forget my username after changing it?

You can find your current username by logging in and going to your profile or settings — it will be displayed there. If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" option on the login page, which usually sends a reset link to your email address. Your username is separate from your password.

Can I use someone else's old username if they changed theirs?

Usually yes, but there is often a waiting period. On Instagram, old usernames are held for 14 days. On most other platforms, old usernames become available when ready or after a few hours. If you see a username you want, you can try to claim it, but be aware that the person who previously used it may try to reclaim it if the service allows it.

Does changing my username affect my followers or friends list?

No. Your followers and friends stay connected to your account regardless of your username change. They will see your new username the next time they view your profile, but the connection itself does not break. On platforms like Instagram and Twitter, old profile links usually redirect to your new username automatically.