You can change your Twitter username in Settings in under a minute

Open Twitter on any browser or the app, click or tap your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy. Go to Account, then Username, and type your new handle in the field that appears. Twitter will check if the name is available as you type. Click Save when you find one you want, and the change takes effect immediately.

Your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after you change it. If you think you might want it back later, you can change your username again after 30 days — but someone else may have taken it by then. Twitter does not hold old usernames for you.

Changing your username does not affect your followers, direct messages, tweets, or any other account data. People who follow you will still see you in their feed. Links to your old profile will not work, but your account itself stays the same.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username from Settings and privacy > Account > Username on any device.
  • Your new username takes effect right away, but your old username becomes available for others to claim immediately.
  • You can change your username again after 30 days if you want to switch back or try something different.
  • Changing your username does not delete or affect your tweets, followers, or direct messages.
  • If someone else takes your old username before you reclaim it, you cannot get it back from them.

What happens to your old username

The moment you save a new username, your previous one enters a pool that any Twitter user can claim. There is no grace period or hold. If your old username was memorable or short, someone may grab it within hours.

Twitter does allow you to change your username again after 30 days, so you can reclaim your old handle if no one has taken it yet. However, if someone else has already claimed it, you cannot retrieve it. Twitter does not have a process to recover old usernames from other users.

Before you change your username, think about whether you want to keep the old one. If you do, you might ask a trusted friend to claim it temporarily so you can reclaim it later — though this is risky if you lose contact with that person.

Changing your username on mobile vs. desktop

The steps are nearly identical on phone and desktop. On the Twitter app for iPhone or Android, tap your profile picture, then tap Settings and privacy, then Account, then Username. Type your new handle and tap Save.

On a desktop browser, click your profile picture in the top right, select Settings and privacy, click Account, click Username, type your new handle, and click Save. The process takes the same amount of time on both.

If you are using Twitter on the web through a third-party app or client, you may not have access to this setting. Log into Twitter directly through a browser or the official app to change your username.

How to check if a username is available

As you type in the username field, Twitter shows you whether each name is taken. A green checkmark means the name is available. A red X or message means someone already has it. You do not need to submit anything to check — Twitter checks in real time as you type.

If the name you want is taken, try adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations. Usernames can be 1 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and most special characters are not allowed.

You can also search for a username on Twitter to see if an account exists with that handle. Go to the search bar and type the @ symbol followed by the name you want. If no account appears, the username is likely available.

Restrictions and things to know

You can change your username as often as you want, but you must wait 30 days between changes. If you just changed your username, the option will be grayed out in Settings until 30 days have passed.

Twitter reserves certain usernames and will not let you claim them. These include usernames for Twitter's own accounts, verified brand accounts, and accounts that have been inactive for a very long time. If you try to use a reserved name, Twitter will tell you it is unavailable.

Changing your username does not change your display name — the name that appears above your handle. You can change your display name separately in Settings under Account > Display name. Your display name can include spaces and special characters, while your username cannot.

What to do if you cannot find the username setting

If you cannot find the username option in Settings, make sure you are logged into the right account. Log out completely and log back in, then try again. If you are using a third-party Twitter app, log into Twitter.com directly instead — third-party apps often do not support account settings.

If you are on a very old version of the Twitter app, update it from your phone's app store. Older versions sometimes lack features that newer ones have. After updating, restart the app and try accessing Settings again.

If the username field is grayed out, you have changed your username within the last 30 days. You will need to wait until the 30-day window passes before you can change it again. Twitter will show you when you can make your next change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old username back if someone else takes it?

No. Once you change your username, the old one is available for anyone to claim. If someone else takes it before you reclaim it yourself, Twitter does not have a process to retrieve it from them. You can only reclaim your old username if no one else has claimed it within 30 days.

Will my followers see my tweets if I change my username?

Yes. Your followers will continue to see your tweets in their feed after you change your username. Your account is the same — only the handle changes. People who follow you do not need to do anything.

How long does it take for a username change to show up?

The change takes effect immediately after you click Save. Your new username will appear on your profile right away, and old links to your profile using your previous username will stop working.

Can I change my username if my account is suspended or locked?

No. You cannot access Settings or make any changes to a suspended or locked account. You must resolve the suspension or unlock your account first. Contact Twitter Support if you need help with a suspended account.

What characters can I use in a username?

Usernames can include letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_). Spaces, periods, hyphens, and most special characters are not allowed. Usernames must be 1 to 15 characters long.