Change your display name in the app settings

Your TikTok display name — the one people see on your profile — changes in your account settings and takes effect immediately. Open TikTok, tap the profile icon at the bottom right, then tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Username." Type your new name and tap "Save."

TikTok usernames have rules: they must be between 2 and 24 characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot have spaces. If the name you want is taken, TikTok will tell you and you'll need to choose something else. You can change your username once every 30 days.

Your display name is different from your username. The display name is what appears at the top of your profile and in comments — it can have spaces, emojis, and special characters, and you can change it as often as you want. To change your display name, go to "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Nickname," and type your new name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username (the handle people use to find you) can be changed once every 30 days and must be 2 to 24 characters with no spaces.
  • Your display name (what shows on your profile) can be changed whenever you want and can include spaces, emojis, and special characters.
  • Both changes happen in Settings and privacy under Account and take effect right away.
  • If your chosen username is taken, TikTok will show you that during the change process and you'll need to pick a different one.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to claim. This means another person can take it within a short time. If you think you might want to use your old username again later, you should not change it.

Your profile, videos, followers, and follower count all stay the same when you change your username. People who follow you will still see your new username on their feed. Links to your old username will not work anymore — if someone tries to visit your old profile URL, they'll get a "user not found" message.

Changing your name on other devices

The process is the same whether you use the TikTok app on your phone, tablet, or the web version at tiktok.com. On the web version, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Username" or "Nickname" depending on which one you want to change.

If you use TikTok on multiple devices, the change will show up on all of them within a few minutes because it updates across TikTok's servers. You don't need to log out and back in.

Reasons your username change might not work

If you see an error when trying to change your username, the most common reason is that you've already changed it within the last 30 days. TikTok enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you're within that window, you'll need to wait until the 30 days have passed.

Another reason the change might fail is if the username you chose is already taken, contains characters TikTok doesn't allow, or is too short (fewer than 2 characters) or too long (more than 24 characters). If you get an error message, read it carefully — it will tell you what the problem is.

If you're having trouble even after checking these things, try logging out of TikTok completely and logging back in, then attempt the change again. If the problem continues, you can contact TikTok support through the app by going to Settings and privacy, then "Help," then "Report a problem."

Protecting your username from being taken

Once you change your username, someone else can claim your old one. If you have a username you want to keep using, do not change it. There's no way to "reserve" an old username or prevent others from taking it.

If you're worried about someone impersonating you, you can report fake accounts to TikTok. Go to the account's profile, tap the three dots in the top right, select "Report," and choose "It's a fake account." TikTok reviews these reports and removes accounts that violate their community guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Only if no one else has claimed it. Since your old username becomes available immediately after you change it, someone may have already taken it. If they have, you cannot use it again unless they change their username first. You can try typing it in the search bar to see if it's still available.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your new username shows up on your profile and in your comments right away. It may take a few minutes to appear in search results and in other people's feeds, but this is usually very fast. If it's been more than an hour and your new username still isn't showing up in searches, try logging out and back in.

Will my followers see that I changed my username?

Your followers will not get a notification that you changed your username. They will simply see your new username the next time they visit your profile or see your content in their feed. Your follower count and all your videos stay exactly the same.

What if I want to change my username but it's been less than 30 days?

You have to wait. TikTok does not allow username changes more than once every 30 days. You can change your display name (the nickname) as often as you want, but the username has the 30-day rule. Mark your calendar for when you'll be able to change it again.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my username?

No. Usernames can only contain letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), periods, and underscores. Emojis, spaces, and other special characters are not allowed in usernames. You can use these in your display name instead, which you can change anytime.