How to change your Twitter account name
You can change your Twitter account name (also called your handle or username) directly in your account settings on any device. The process takes about two minutes. Your new name becomes active immediately, though it may take a few minutes to update across Twitter's systems. You can change it as often as you want, and your old handle becomes available for someone else to claim.
The name you see on your profile — the one that appears next to your photo — is separate from your handle. You can change both, but this article covers the handle, which is the @username that appears in your profile URL and in replies to your tweets.
Key Takeaways
- Your Twitter handle changes in Settings and Privacy under Account, and the new name is active within minutes.
- Your old handle becomes available for anyone to claim once you change it, so choose your new one before you make the switch.
- Changing your handle does not affect your followers, direct messages, or the tweets you have already posted.
- You can change your handle as many times as you want, but Twitter may rate-limit very frequent changes.
- If someone else claims your old handle before you want them to, you cannot reclaim it unless they abandon it.
Steps to change your handle on desktop
Open Twitter in a web browser and sign in to your account. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner (or your profile photo if you are on the home page), then select Settings and Privacy.
In the left sidebar, click Account. Scroll down to the Username field. Click in the field and delete your current handle, then type your new one. Twitter will show you whether the name is available in real time — if it is taken, you will see a red X. Once you have chosen an available name, click Save.
Twitter will ask you to re-enter your password to confirm the change. Type it in and click Confirm. Your new handle is now active.
Steps to change your handle on mobile
Open the Twitter app and tap your profile photo in the top left corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then tap Account.
Scroll down to Username and tap the field. Delete your current handle and type your new one. As you type, Twitter shows whether the name is available. Once you have chosen one, tap Save at the top of the screen.
Enter your password when prompted and tap Confirm. Your new handle is active immediately.
What happens to your old handle
When you change your handle, your old one is released back into the pool of available usernames. Anyone can claim it, including people you do not know. Twitter does not reserve old handles for their previous owners, and there is no way to reclaim a handle once someone else has taken it.
If you think you might want to use your old handle again in the future, consider creating a second account and claiming the old handle there before you change your main account. Otherwise, choose your new handle carefully before you make the switch.
What does not change when you update your handle
Your followers stay with you. People who followed your old handle will still follow your new one without having to do anything.
Your direct messages and conversation history remain intact. The person you messaged will see your new handle in the conversation, but the messages themselves do not disappear or move.
Your tweets stay on your profile with the same content and timestamps. They will show your new handle when someone views them, but the tweets themselves are not deleted or altered.
Your likes, retweets, and replies are all still there under your new handle. Any mentions of your old handle in other people's tweets will not automatically update to your new one — they will still show the old handle as a link, but it will now point to whoever claimed that handle after you.
Reasons to think before changing your handle
If you have built an audience or a professional presence under your current handle, changing it means losing the recognition people have for that name. Links to your old profile will still work, but they will show your new handle, which can confuse people who shared your old URL.
If your handle is mentioned in articles, videos, or other places online, those mentions will not update automatically. Someone searching for your old handle might find the person who claimed it instead of you.
If you use your Twitter handle in your email signature, business cards, or other places, you will need to update those separately. There is no automatic notification system to tell you where your old handle was used.
If you cannot change your handle
Twitter may temporarily prevent you from changing your handle if you have changed it very recently. The exact time window varies, but if you see an error message saying you cannot change it yet, wait a few hours and try again.
If the name you want is taken, you cannot use it. Check the spelling and try variations — adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations. If the account holding the name appears inactive, you cannot force Twitter to release it. Inactive accounts are not automatically deleted.
If you are locked out of your account or cannot access your password, you will not be able to change your handle until you regain access. Use Twitter's account recovery process to reset your password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my handle back to my old one if someone else took it?
No. Once you change your handle, it becomes available to anyone, and Twitter does not reserve old handles for previous owners. If someone claims it, you cannot reclaim it unless they abandon the account and it becomes inactive for an extended period — and even then, Twitter does not may provide it will be released to you.
Will my followers see my old handle in their notifications?
No. Your followers will see your new handle everywhere — in their feed, in notifications, and in your profile. The change is immediate across the platform.
Does changing my handle affect my verification badge?
No. If your account is verified, your verification badge stays with your account when you change your handle. The badge is tied to your account, not to the specific username.
How often can I change my handle?
You can change your handle as often as you want, but Twitter may rate-limit very frequent changes. If you change it multiple times in a short period, you might see a message saying you need to wait before changing it again. The exact time window is not publicly specified.
What if the handle I want has a space or special character?
Twitter handles can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and most special characters are not allowed. If you want a multi-word handle, use underscores to separate the words.