You can use emojis in your TikTok username, but only during the initial setup or when you change it through the app
TikTok allows emojis in usernames on both iOS and Android. The catch: you cannot edit your username directly to swap out letters for emojis if your account already exists. You have to change your entire username, and the process works differently depending on whether you are setting up a new account or modifying an existing one.
If you are creating a new TikTok account right now, you can type emojis into the username field during signup. If your account already exists and you want to add emojis, you will need to change your full username — which means your old handle will no longer be yours, and anyone who followed you by username will need to find your new one.
Key Takeaways
- Emojis work in TikTok usernames on both iPhone and Android, but you enter them the same way you would in any text field on your phone.
- New accounts can include emojis during signup; existing accounts must change their entire username to add emojis.
- Once you change your username, your old handle becomes available for anyone else to claim within a few days.
- Some emojis may not display the same way across different devices or regions, so test your username on a computer before finalizing it.
How to add emojis when creating a new TikTok account
During the signup process, TikTok asks you to choose a username. On this screen, you can use your phone's keyboard to insert emojis just as you would in a text message. Open your emoji keyboard (usually by tapping the smiley face icon on your phone's keyboard), select the emoji you want, and it will appear in the username field.
Type your desired username with letters, numbers, periods, underscores, or hyphens, then tap into the emoji section of your keyboard and add the emoji where you want it. TikTok will show you whether the username is available in real time. Once you finish creating your account, that username with the emoji is locked to you.
How to change your username to include emojis on an existing account
Open TikTok and go to your profile by tapping the "Me" icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner, then select "Settings and privacy." Scroll down and tap "Account," then tap "Username."
You will see your current username with an option to edit it. Tap the edit field, delete your entire current username, and type your new username using your phone's emoji keyboard. TikTok will check availability as you type. Once you confirm the change, your old username becomes available for other users to claim within a few days.
Emoji keyboard access on iPhone versus Android
On iPhone, swipe left on your keyboard until you see the emoji button (usually a smiley face), then tap it to open the emoji picker. You can search for specific emojis by typing keywords in the search bar at the bottom, or browse by category using the icons at the bottom of the emoji panel.
On Android, the emoji access varies by keyboard app. If you use Google Keyboard (Gboard), tap the smiley face icon to open emojis, or long-press the space bar and select the emoji option. Samsung keyboard users can tap the smiley face icon in the top row. Third-party keyboards like SwiftKey have their own emoji buttons — usually a smiley or heart icon.
What happens to your old username after you change it
When you change your username, TikTok does not delete your account or your videos. Your profile, followers, and all your content stay exactly where they are — only the handle changes. However, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim, usually within 24 to 72 hours.
This means if you had a username like "sarah_designs" and you change it to "sarah_🎨designs," anyone could register "sarah_designs" as a new account. If you think you might want to use your old username again later, you cannot reserve it. People who followed you by username will not automatically see your new handle — they will need to search for you by your new name or find you through your follower list.
Emoji display differences across devices and regions
Emojis can look slightly different depending on whether someone views your profile on an iPhone, Android phone, or computer. A paintbrush emoji on iOS might have a slightly different design on Android, and some older devices may not render certain emojis at all. This usually does not cause problems, but it is worth checking how your username appears on different devices before you commit to the change.
To test your new username, create it on your phone, then log into TikTok on a computer or ask a friend with a different phone type to search for your profile and send you a screenshot. This takes two minutes and can save you from discovering later that your emoji does not display the way you expected.
Limitations and restrictions on emoji usernames
TikTok allows most emojis, but a few categories are restricted. You cannot use emojis that represent flags, skin tone modifiers, or certain symbols that TikTok's system flags as problematic. If you try to use a restricted emoji, TikTok will reject the username and ask you to choose a different one.
Your username still has to follow TikTok's basic rules: it must be between 2 and 24 characters (counting the emoji as one character), and it can only contain letters, numbers, periods, underscores, hyphens, and emojis. Spaces are not allowed. If your username with an emoji exceeds 24 characters, TikTok will not let you save it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple emojis in one username?
Yes. As long as your total username stays under 24 characters and you do not use restricted emojis, you can include two, three, or more emojis. A username like "alex_🎵_🎸_music" works fine as long as it does not exceed the character limit.
What if TikTok says my emoji username is unavailable?
Someone else has already claimed that exact username with that exact emoji. Try a different emoji, rearrange where the emoji appears, or add a number or underscore. Availability changes as users create and abandon accounts, so you can try again in a few hours if you really want that specific combination.
Will changing my username to include an emoji affect my follower count or videos?
No. Your follower count, videos, likes, and comments all stay the same. Only your handle changes. People who saved your profile or have you bookmarked will still see your account — they will just see your new username instead of the old one.
Can I use emoji in my display name instead of my username?
Yes, and this is actually easier. Your display name (the name that appears above your username) has fewer restrictions and you can change it anytime without losing your handle. Many people use emojis in their display name and keep their username straightforward for searchability.
Do emojis in usernames affect how people find me on TikTok?
Slightly. TikTok's search looks for text matches first, so if someone searches "alex music," they might not find "alex_🎵_music" as easily. However, once they know your exact username, the emoji does not prevent them from finding you. If discoverability matters for your account, keep your username text-searchable and use emojis sparingly.