Where to find the username setting on your device or account

The location of your username setting depends on what you are changing it on — your computer, phone, email account, or a website you use. On most platforms, the setting lives in one of three places: a profile or account menu, a settings or preferences section, or a security page. The fastest way to find it is to look for your name or profile picture in the top right or top left corner of the screen, click it, and look for words like "Profile", "Account", "Settings", or "Preferences".

If you cannot find it there, try searching within the settings menu itself. Most platforms have a search box inside settings — type "username" and the setting will appear. On phones, this search box is often at the top of the Settings app. On websites, it is usually in the account or profile section after you log in.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username setting is almost always in a profile menu, account settings, or security section — look for your name or picture first.
  • Some platforms require you to verify your identity or enter your password before letting you change your username.
  • A few services (like Gmail and some banking apps) do not let you change your username once it is created, so check before you assume you can.
  • After you change your username, you may need to log out and log back in before the change takes effect across all your devices.
  • Write down your new username in a safe place, because you will need it the next time you log in.

Steps to change your username on Windows or Mac

On a Windows computer, right-click the Start button in the bottom left, select "Settings", then click "Accounts" on the left side. Click "Your info" at the top, then click "Rename your account" and type your new name. This changes the name that appears on your login screen and in Windows menus, though it does not change your Microsoft account username if you use one to sign in.

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left, select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions), then click "General" on the left. Click "About", then look for "Computer Name" — click the "Edit" button next to it and type your new name. This changes the name of your computer on your network, not your Apple ID username.

If you want to change your Microsoft account username (Windows) or Apple ID username (Mac), the process is different and happens online through your account page, not on the computer itself. See the section below on changing usernames for online accounts.

Steps to change your username on iPhone, iPad, or Android

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down and tap "Your Name" at the top (or tap "iCloud" if you do not see your name), then tap "Name". Edit your name and tap "Save". This changes the name associated with your Apple ID, which appears in messages, FaceTime, and other Apple apps. Your Apple ID username itself — the email address you use to sign in — cannot be changed.

On Android, open Settings, scroll to "Accounts" or "Users and accounts", tap the Google account you use, then tap "Manage your Google Account". Tap the "Personal info" tab at the top, then tap "Name" and edit it. This changes the name shown in Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services. Your Gmail address itself cannot be changed, but you can create a new Gmail account with a different address if you need a different username.

How to change your username on email and social media accounts

On Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, and most other websites, the username setting is in your account or profile settings. Log in, look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner, click it, and select "Settings" or "Account Settings". Look for a field labeled "Username", "Handle", "Display Name", or "Profile Name" — the exact wording varies by platform.

Some platforms let you change your username as often as you want, while others limit you to once every 30 or 60 days, or once per year. A few platforms (including Gmail, PayPal, and some banking apps) do not let you change your username at all after you create it. If you do not see a change option after looking in settings, the platform likely does not offer one — contact their support if you need to confirm.

After you change your username, log out completely and log back in to make sure the change took effect. On phones and tablets, you may need to close the app completely and reopen it, or restart the device.

What happens to your old username after you change it

On most platforms, your old username becomes available for someone else to use within a few hours to a few days. This means if you change from "jane.smith" to "jane.s", someone else could eventually create an account with "jane.smith". On some platforms like Twitter and Instagram, you can reserve your old username by creating a second account with it, though this violates their terms of service and is not recommended.

If you have shared your old username with other people — in an email signature, on a business card, in a forum post, or in a social media bio — those links and references will no longer work. Before you change your username, update any places where you have published it. If your username is part of a custom email address or website URL, changing it may break those links permanently.

Troubleshooting: what to do if you cannot change your username

If you see a message saying you cannot change your username, the most common reasons are: you have already changed it recently and the platform enforces a waiting period; you do not have permission (for example, a child account may be restricted by parental controls); or the platform does not support username changes at all. Check the error message carefully — it usually tells you which of these applies.

If the error message is unclear, try logging out completely, waiting a few minutes, and logging back in. Sometimes the setting is temporarily locked while the system processes a recent change. If you still cannot access it after that, contact the platform's support team directly. Have your account email address and the date you last changed your username ready when you contact them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my password?

No. Your password stays the same. You log in with your username and password, so if you change only the username, you still use the same password you used before. Some platforms ask you to enter your password when you change your username as a security check, but the password itself does not change.

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

Usually yes, but it depends on the platform's rules. Most services let you change your username as many times as you want (or with a waiting period between changes). However, if someone else has already claimed your old username, you cannot use it again unless that person gives it up. Check the platform's policy on username changes before you assume you can switch back.

What if I forgot my username?

On most platforms, you can recover your username by clicking "Forgot username?" on the login page and entering your email address or phone number. The platform will send you a message with your current username. If that does not work, contact the platform's support team with proof of your identity (usually your email address or phone number on file).

Do I need to change my username on all my devices?

No. If you are changing a username for an online account (email, social media, banking), the change happens on the platform's servers, so it takes effect on all your devices automatically once you log out and log back in. If you are changing a local username on your computer or phone, the change only affects that device.

Will my old messages or posts disappear if I change my username?

No. Your messages, posts, photos, and other content stay with your account. Only the name displayed next to that content changes. On some platforms, old posts may still show your previous username for a few hours while the system updates, but this is temporary.