Where to find the username setting on Twitter

Your Twitter username is the handle that appears after the @ symbol — the part people use to mention you or search for your account. To change it, log into Twitter on a web browser or the mobile app, then go to Settings and privacy. From there, select Account, then Account information, and you'll see the username field at the top of the page.

On the web version, you can also reach this by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner, selecting Settings and privacy, then following the same path. The mobile app works the same way — tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon), go to Settings and privacy, then Account.

Once you're in the username field, you'll see your current handle. Click or tap on it to edit. Twitter will show you whether your new choice is available in real time as you type.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Twitter username from Settings and privacy > Account > Account information on either web or mobile.
  • Your new username must be between 4 and 15 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and not be already taken by another account.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, direct messages, or any tweets you've posted — they stay with your account.
  • You can change your username as often as you want, but Twitter may temporarily prevent changes if you've switched very recently.

What usernames Twitter allows and what it blocks

Twitter usernames must be between 4 and 15 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or special characters like @, #, or $. Twitter will reject the name immediately if it contains anything outside these rules.

Some usernames are reserved by Twitter itself and cannot be claimed — these include @twitter, @home, @help, and other accounts that Twitter uses for official purposes. If you try to claim one of these, you'll see a message saying the username is unavailable.

Twitter also blocks usernames that impersonate public figures or well-known accounts, though this is enforced after you claim the name rather than before. If you change your username to something that looks like you're pretending to be someone else, Twitter may suspend your account or force you to change it again.

What happens to your account when you change your username

Your followers stay with you. When you change your username, everyone who followed your old handle automatically follows your new one — you don't lose followers and they don't have to re-follow you.

Your tweets, likes, retweets, and direct messages all stay attached to your account. Nothing is deleted or lost. People who link to your old tweets can still find them, though the URL will update to reflect your new username.

However, if someone else claims your old username after you change it, that person now owns it. They can use it, change it again, or let it sit unused. Twitter does not reserve your old username for you, so if you think you might want it back later, you should keep that in mind.

How often you can change your username

Twitter allows you to change your username as often as you want in theory, but in practice the platform may throttle rapid changes. If you change your username and then try to change it again within a short window — typically a few hours or a day — Twitter may temporarily prevent you from making another change.

This is a spam-prevention measure. Twitter does not publish the exact time window, so if you get blocked from changing your username again, wait at least 24 hours before trying once more.

Troubleshooting when your chosen username is taken or won't work

If the username you want shows as unavailable, it means another account already has it. You have two options: choose a different name, or wait to see if the account becomes inactive. Twitter does not recycle usernames from active accounts, but if an account has been inactive for a very long time, Twitter may eventually release the username — though this is rare and unpredictable.

If you see an error message when you try to save your new username, check that it meets Twitter's rules: 4 to 15 characters, letters and numbers and underscores only, no spaces or special characters. If your name meets all those rules and still won't save, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the app, then try again.

If you're locked out of changing your username because you changed it too recently, wait at least 24 hours and try again. If you still can't change it after waiting, contact Twitter Support through the Help and Support section in your Settings.

Protecting your username from being claimed by someone else

Once you change your username, your old one becomes available to anyone. If you want to keep someone else from using your old handle, you have limited options. You cannot reserve it, and Twitter does not offer a way to lock or protect old usernames.

The only real protection is to change back to your old username yourself if you realize you made a mistake. If you've already changed to something new and want to reclaim your old handle, you can change back to it immediately — as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime.

If someone else has already taken your old username and you believe they're impersonating you, you can report the account to Twitter through the report function on their profile. Twitter reviews impersonation reports and may suspend or force a username change on accounts that are clearly pretending to be you.

Changing your display name versus your username

Twitter has two separate name fields, and they work differently. Your username is the handle (the @name), and your display name is the readable name that appears above your tweets. You can change your display name as often as you want with no restrictions — it's purely cosmetic and doesn't affect how people find or mention you.

Your username is what matters for searches and mentions. If someone types @yourname, they're searching for your username, not your display name. If you want people to be able to find you by a certain name, you need to change your username, not just your display name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username break links to my profile or tweets?

No. Links to your profile and tweets will automatically update to your new username. Old links that used your previous username will still work and will redirect to your new one, so you won't lose traffic or access to your content.

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

Yes, if no one else has claimed it. You can change to any available username at any time. If someone else has taken your old username, you'll need to choose something different unless that person changes their username first.

What if I want to use a username that's currently taken by an inactive account?

Twitter does not release usernames from inactive accounts on request. You cannot claim a username that another account holds, even if that account hasn't posted in years. Your only option is to choose a different username.

Does changing my username affect my verification badge?

No. If your account is verified (has a blue checkmark), the verification stays with your account when you change your username. The badge doesn't disappear or need to be re-earned.

Can I change my username on the Twitter app but not on the web version?

No. Your username is tied to your account, not to a specific device or platform. When you change it on the app, it changes everywhere — on the web, on other devices, and for everyone who follows you. The change takes effect immediately across all platforms.