How to change your Instagram username

You can change your Instagram username directly in the app or on the web. Open Instagram, go to your profile, tap or click "Edit profile," find the username field, type your new name, and save. The whole process takes about a minute. Instagram lets you change your username as often as you want, with no waiting period between changes.

Your username is different from your display name. The username is what appears in your profile URL (instagram.com/yourname) and what people type when they tag you. The display name is the larger text that shows above your username on your profile. You can change either one independently.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your username through Edit Profile on your phone or computer — there is no separate form or approval process.
  • Your username must be between 1 and 30 characters and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but no spaces.
  • If the username you want is taken, Instagram will tell you immediately and you will need to choose a different one.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, messages, or posts — everything stays attached to your account.
  • If you have a business or creator account, your username change is public and visible to anyone who visits your profile.

Step-by-step instructions for phone or computer

On your phone (iPhone or Android): Open Instagram and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap "Edit profile" near the top. Tap the username field (it shows your current username). Delete the old username and type the new one. Tap "Done" or the checkmark. Instagram will confirm the change immediately.

On a computer: Go to instagram.com and log in. Click your profile icon in the top right, then click "Edit profile." Click the username field, clear it, type your new username, and click "Submit." The change takes effect right away.

If the username you want is already taken, Instagram shows a message saying it is unavailable. You will need to pick something different. Try adding numbers, a period, or an underscore to make it unique — for example, username.2 or username_official.

Username rules and what you cannot use

Instagram usernames must be 1 to 30 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like hyphens or exclamation marks, or emojis. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are treated as the same username.

Instagram does not allow usernames that impersonate other people or brands, even if you add numbers or symbols. If your account is flagged for impersonation, you may be asked to change it. Usernames that are offensive or violate Instagram's community guidelines can also be removed or restricted.

What happens to your account when you change your username

Your followers, messages, posts, and stories all stay with your account. People who follow you will still see your content in their feed. Direct messages you have sent and received remain in your conversation history. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it.

If you had a custom URL or shared your old username in other places (like your website or email signature), those links will no longer work. Your new username will be active immediately, but it can take a few minutes for the change to show up everywhere on Instagram.

If you want to keep your old username

If you think you might want to use your old username again later, you have a few options. You can create a second account and claim the old username there, though Instagram limits how many accounts you can manage from one email address. Alternatively, you can change your username back to the original one at any time — Instagram does not prevent you from reclaiming it.

Some people create a "holding" account with a username they want to reserve, then switch it to their main account later. Keep in mind that if you do not log into a holding account for a long time, Instagram may deactivate it, which would free up the username for others.

Troubleshooting common problems

The username field will not let you save: Make sure your username is between 1 and 30 characters, contains only letters, numbers, periods, or underscores, and does not have spaces. If you are still stuck, try logging out and back in, or use a different browser or device.

You see an error message about the username being unavailable: Someone else has claimed it. Try a variation with a number, period, or underscore. You can also search for the username on Instagram to see if the account is active or inactive.

The change is not showing up on your profile: Refresh the page or close and reopen the app. Changes usually appear within seconds, but can take a few minutes to sync across all devices and the web version.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can change your username back to a previous one at any time, as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone else took it, you would need to wait for them to change it or contact Instagram if the account is inactive.

Does changing my username affect my Instagram handle or tags?

Your new username becomes your new handle immediately. Old tags and mentions using your previous username will still link to your profile, but new tags will use your current username. Posts you made before the change will still show your old username in the caption if you typed it there.

Can I use special characters like hyphens or dashes in my username?

No. Instagram only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Hyphens, dashes, spaces, and other special characters are not permitted in usernames.

What if someone else is using a username that looks like mine?

If another account is impersonating you or using a name that is confusingly similar, you can report it to Instagram. Go to their profile, tap the three dots, and select "Report." Instagram reviews reports of impersonation and may remove or restrict the account.

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

The change is usually instant on the device where you made it. It can take a few minutes to sync to the web version, other devices, and in search results. If it has been more than an hour and the change still is not showing, try logging out and back in.