Change your Call of Duty name through your Activision account settings

To change your Call of Duty username, log into your Activision account on the web, go to Account Settings, select the Profile tab, and edit your Activision ID. This is the name that appears in-game and in your player profile. The change takes effect immediately across all Call of Duty titles linked to that account.

Your Activision ID is separate from your platform account name (your PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam username). Changing your Activision ID does not change your platform account, and you do not need to change both.

If you play on console, you can also change your Activision ID directly from the in-game settings menu. On PC, the web method is faster, but the in-game route works too.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Activision ID is what shows in Call of Duty lobbies and player profiles, and you change it through your Activision account on the web or in-game.
  • The change is instant and applies to all Call of Duty games on your account at the same time.
  • You may be able to change your name once for free, but Activision's policy on free changes varies by region and account age.
  • If you have been reported for a name that violates the Code of Conduct, Activision may force a name change and restrict future changes.

Step-by-step: changing your name on the web

Go to www.activision.com and sign in with the email and password for your Activision account. If you do not remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page.

Once logged in, click your account icon in the top right corner and select Account Settings. On the left sidebar, click Profile. You will see your current Activision ID displayed near the top of the page.

Click the Edit button next to your Activision ID. Type your new name into the text field. Activision IDs can be 3 to 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, and some special characters (hyphens and underscores). Names with spaces, profanity, or impersonation of real people or celebrities are not allowed.

Click Save Changes. If the name is available, the change is complete. If the name is taken, you will see an error message and must choose a different one.

Changing your name in-game on console or PC

Launch Call of Duty and go to Settings from the main menu. Navigate to Account or Profile (the exact label depends on which Call of Duty title you are playing). Select Activision ID or Change Name.

Type your new name and confirm. The game will check whether the name is available. If it is, the change saves immediately and you will see your new name the next time you load into a lobby.

On PlayStation and Xbox, you can also change your Activision ID through the system settings, but doing it in-game is simpler because the game handles the availability check for you.

What happens if you change your name frequently

Activision does not publish a hard limit on how often you can change your name, but accounts that change names very frequently (more than once a month) may trigger a review. If Activision suspects you are changing your name to evade reports or hide a history of rule violations, they may restrict future changes or lock your name for a period of time.

If your account has been flagged for a name that violates the Code of Conduct (profanity, hate speech, impersonation, or sexual content), Activision will force a name change and may prevent you from changing it again for 30 to 90 days. You will receive an email notification if this happens.

Free name changes and paid name changes

Activision has offered one free name change to some accounts, but this policy is not universal and has changed over time. Whether you get a free change depends on your region, when your account was created, and whether you have changed your name before. There is no way to know in advance whether your account qualifies.

If you have already used a free change or your account does not may have access to, Activision may charge a fee for additional name changes. The cost varies by region and is not published on their website. You will see the price (if any) when you attempt to save a new name.

If you are charged and do not want to pay, you can contact Activision Support to ask whether your account qualifies for a free change. They will review your account history, but they cannot may provide an exception.

Troubleshooting: name change not working

If you see an error message when you try to save a new name, the most common causes are: the name is already taken, the name contains characters Activision does not allow, the name violates the Code of Conduct, or your account is temporarily locked due to a recent security issue.

If the name you want is taken, try adding a number or underscore to make it unique. If you are getting a Code of Conduct violation message, review Activision's naming policy and choose a name that does not include profanity, slurs, or impersonation.

If you see a message about account restrictions or a security lock, wait 24 hours and try again. If the error persists after a day, contact Activision Support through their website. Have your account email and the error message ready when you reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Activision ID change my PlayStation or Xbox username?

No. Your Activision ID and your platform account name are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. If you want your platform name to match your Activision ID, you will need to change your platform account name through your PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam settings separately.

Can I change my name back to a previous one?

Yes, you can reuse a name you had before, as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone else is using your old name, you will need to choose something different.

What if my name change is rejected for violating the Code of Conduct?

Review Activision's Code of Conduct to understand what names are not allowed. Common violations include profanity, hate speech, sexual content, and impersonation of real people or celebrities. Choose a new name that does not include any of these elements and try again.

How long does a name change take to show up in-game?

The change is instant in your account settings, but it may take a few minutes to appear in lobbies and on other players' screens. If you still see your old name after 10 minutes, restart the game.

Can I change my name if my account is banned or suspended?

No. If your account is suspended or banned, you cannot make any changes, including name changes. You must resolve the suspension or ban first by contacting Activision Support.