Where you change your username depends on which service you use

The steps to change your username are different for almost every platform — there is no single process that works everywhere. Email services like Gmail, social media like Facebook or Instagram, banking apps, and gaming platforms all have their own settings pages and their own rules about what names you can use or how often you can change them. The first step is always to find the account settings or profile settings for the specific service you are using.

Before you change anything, write down your current username somewhere safe. Some platforms let you change back when ready if you change your mind. Others lock you out of changing again for 30, 60, or 90 days. A few services do not let you change your username at all — they only let you change your display name, which is what other people see but not your actual login name.

Key Takeaways

  • Most platforms keep username settings in Account Settings, Profile Settings, or Security Settings — look for a section labeled "Username" or "Login Name".
  • Write down your current username before you change it, because some platforms prevent you from changing again for weeks or months.
  • Check whether the platform requires your new username to be unique across all users or only unique within your own account.
  • After you change your username, update it anywhere else you have written it down — password managers, emergency contact lists, or shared documents with family.
  • If you cannot find a username change option, the platform may only let you change your display name, not your actual login name.

How to find the username setting on your platform

Start by logging into the account you want to change. Look for a menu or icon in the top right or top left corner of the page — this is usually your profile picture, initials, or a hamburger menu (three horizontal lines). Click it and look for words like "Settings", "Account", "Profile", or "Preferences".

Once you are in settings, look for a section called "Account Settings", "Profile Settings", "Login & Security", or "Personal Information". The username field might be labeled "Username", "Login Name", "Handle", or "User ID". If you are using a phone app instead of a website, the process is the same but the menu might be at the bottom of the screen instead of the top.

If you cannot find a username option anywhere in settings, the platform may not let you change your username at all. In that case, look for an option to change your "Display Name" or "Full Name" instead — this is what other people see, even though your actual login name stays the same.

What happens when you change your username

When you change your username, your old username usually becomes available for someone else to use within a few hours or days. This means if you change from "sarah.jones" to "sarah.j", someone else could potentially take "sarah.jones" later. If you think you might want that old name back, ask the platform whether there is a grace period where you can reclaim it.

Your password does not change when you change your username. You will still log in with your new username and your same password. However, if you have saved your login information in a web browser or password manager, you may need to update it there so you do not get locked out next time.

Any links or mentions of your old username may stop working. If you have shared a profile link with someone — like a social media profile URL — that link might break or redirect to a different account. Check whether the platform uses your username in the URL or whether it uses a permanent ID number instead.

Rules that vary by platform

Different services have different rules about what usernames are allowed. Some require usernames to be between 3 and 20 characters. Some allow numbers and periods but not underscores. Some are case-sensitive (meaning "Sarah" and "sarah" are different) and some are not. Before you settle on a new username, check the platform's rules — they usually appear as a message below the username field, like "Usernames can contain letters, numbers, and underscores only".

Platforms also differ on how often you can change. Gmail lets you change your display name as often as you want, but your actual email address (the part before @gmail.com) cannot be changed at all. Facebook lets you change your username once every 60 days. Twitter (now X) lets you change your handle as often as you want. Gaming platforms like Steam or PlayStation have their own cooldown periods, often 30 to 90 days between changes.

Some platforms require your username to be unique across the entire service — meaning no two people can have the same username. Others only require it to be unique to your account, so multiple people could have the same username as long as they are on different accounts or different servers.

Updating your username in other places

After you change your username, you need to update it anywhere you have written it down or shared it. If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or LastPass, open that manager and update the username field for that account. If you have shared your username with family members for emergency access, send them the new one.

Check any shared documents, spreadsheets, or notes where you might have recorded your username — for example, a shared family document with login information, or a note you sent to a trusted person. Update those too. If you have given your username to a service that uses it to contact you (like a gaming clan or a work team), let them know the change so they can update their records.

If the platform uses your username in your profile URL and you have shared that link publicly or on a resume, you may want to update those links too. However, if the platform uses a permanent ID number in the URL instead of your username, the link will still work even after you change your name.

What to do if you cannot change your username

If you have looked through all the settings and cannot find a way to change your username, the platform may not support username changes. In that case, your only option is usually to create a new account with the username you want and transfer your information over. This is time-consuming and not always possible — for example, you cannot transfer your email history to a new Gmail address, and you cannot transfer your purchase history to a new gaming account.

Before you create a new account, contact the platform's support team and ask whether username changes are possible. Some services hide the option in an unusual place, or only let you change it under certain conditions (like if your account is a certain age, or if you have not changed it recently). Support can tell you whether a change is possible and where to find the option.

If the platform truly does not allow username changes and you really need a different name, you may have to accept that you cannot use that service with your preferred username. In that case, decide whether the service is worth using with a username you do not like, or whether you would rather use a different platform instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username log me out?

Most platforms keep you logged in after you change your username. However, some services log you out as a security measure, so you have to log back in with your new username. If you get logged out, use your new username and your same password to log back in.

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

It depends on the platform and how much time has passed. Some services let you reclaim your old username within 30 days. Others release old usernames when ready, so someone else could take it. Check the platform's policy or contact support to find out whether your old username is still available and whether you can reclaim it.

What if my new username is already taken?

The platform will tell you the username is not available and will not let you save the change. Try adding a number, period, or underscore to the end — for example, "sarah.jones.1" instead of "sarah.jones". You can also try a completely different name. Keep trying until you find one that is available.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No, your password stays the same. However, if you have your login information saved in a browser or password manager, update the username field there so you do not get locked out. Your password itself does not need to change unless you want to change it for security reasons.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

On most social media platforms, yes — your profile will still exist and your friends will still be connected to you. However, if they have your old username written down or bookmarked, that link may not work anymore. Let your close friends know your new username so they can update their records if they need to.