Where to change your username

You change your username in your account settings, not during login. Log in with your current username and password, then look for "Account Settings," "Profile," or "Security Settings" — the exact name depends on which site or service you use. Most sites put this link in a menu at the top right of the page, often under your name or a gear icon.

Once you are in settings, look for a section labeled "Username," "Login Name," or "Account Information." Click the option to edit or change it. You will usually need to enter your current password again to confirm the change, even though you are already logged in — this is a security step to prevent someone else from changing your username if they briefly access your unlocked computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in first, then find Account Settings or Profile in the top menu to change your username.
  • You will need to enter your current password again to confirm the change for security reasons.
  • Some services let you change your username when ready, while others require you to wait a set number of days between changes.
  • Your old username may become available for someone else to use, or it may be reserved under your account for a period of time.
  • Changing your username does not change your password — you log in with the new username and your existing password.

What happens to your old username

After you change your username, the old one usually becomes available for another person to use after a waiting period. Some services hold it for 30 days; others release it when ready. Check your service's policy to know whether your old username will be taken by someone else or held in reserve.

If you are changing your username because someone is impersonating you or harassing you under the old name, contact support directly instead of changing it yourself. They can often delete the old username entirely or keep it locked to your account so no one else can claim it.

Restrictions on how often you can change

Most services limit how often you can change your username. Common rules are one change every 30 days, one change every 90 days, or one change per year. A few services let you change it as often as you want. Check your account settings or the service's help center to see what the rule is for your specific site.

If you have already changed your username recently and the system will not let you change it again, you will see a message telling you when you can make the next change. You cannot bypass this — it is a built-in limit to prevent abuse and keep usernames stable for other users trying to find you.

Rules for what your new username can be

Your new username must follow the service's rules. Most services require usernames to be between 3 and 20 characters, use only letters, numbers, and underscores or hyphens, and not start with a number. Some services do not allow spaces; others do. A few reserve certain words or do not allow usernames that look like they belong to a brand or public figure.

If you try to change to a username that breaks these rules or is already taken, the system will tell you when ready and suggest alternatives. You cannot use a username that someone else already has, even if that person has not logged in for years.

Changing your username on different platforms

Email services like Gmail and Outlook usually do not let you change the part before the @ symbol — that is your email address and changing it would break your inbox. You can change your display name instead, which is what other people see when you send them messages.

Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter let you change your username (called a handle on Twitter) from your settings. Facebook calls it your "username" and limits changes to once every 60 days. Instagram and Twitter usually allow more frequent changes.

Gaming platforms like Steam, PlayStation Network, and Xbox Live have different rules. Steam lets you change your display name as often as you want, but your account ID stays the same. PlayStation and Xbox charge a fee for the first change and then allow free changes after that.

Banking and financial sites often do not let you change your username at all, or only through a phone call to customer service. This is for security — your username is tied to your identity verification, and changing it requires extra steps to prove you are the account owner.

What to do if you forget your new username

If you change your username and then forget what you changed it to, log in using your email address instead. Most services let you log in with either your username or your email address. Once you are logged in, go back to your account settings to see what your current username is.

If you cannot remember your password either, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. The service will send a reset link to your email address. After you reset your password and log in, you can check your username in settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username change my password?

No. Your password stays the same. You log in with your new username and your existing password. If you want to change your password at the same time, you can do that in account settings, but it is a separate step.

Will people who know my old username still be able to find me?

No. Once you change your username, the old one no longer points to your account. If someone tries to search for your old username, they will not find you. They can still find you if they search for your display name or real name, depending on your privacy settings.

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

Only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If your old username is still available, you can change back to it, but you will still be subject to the service's rules about how often you can change. If someone else has taken it, you cannot use it again.

What if the username I want is already taken?

You cannot use a username that belongs to another account. Try adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens to your preferred username. The system will often suggest variations when you type in a name that is taken.

Do I need to update my username anywhere else?

If you have shared your username with other people — in email signatures, on your website, or in social media bios — you should update those places so people know how to find you. Your username change does not automatically update those references.