Change your display name in the app settings

Your TikTok display name — the one people see on your profile — can be changed anytime through the app. Open TikTok, tap the profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Edit profile." Tap the name field and type your new display name, which can be up to 30 characters. Tap "Save" when you're done.

This change takes effect immediately across the app. Your followers will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see your videos in their feed. You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period between changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (what people see on your profile) is different from your username (the @handle), and only the display name can be changed without restrictions.
  • Display names can be up to 30 characters and changed anytime through Settings and privacy > Account > Edit profile.
  • Your username (@handle) can only be changed once every 30 days and requires going to Settings and privacy > Account > Username.
  • Changing your name does not affect your followers, videos, or account history — everything stays attached to your account.

Understand the difference between display name and username

TikTok has two separate name fields, and they work differently. Your display name is what appears at the top of your profile and next to your videos — it's purely decorative and can be anything. Your username (the @handle) is your actual account identifier and the link people use to find you. The username is what appears in your profile URL, like @yourname.

Most people want to change their display name, which has no restrictions. If you want to change your username instead, you can do that once every 30 days. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Username, type your new @handle, and tap "Save." The old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it.

What happens to your account when you change your name

Changing your display name does not affect anything else on your account. Your followers stay your followers. Your videos remain posted and keep all their views, likes, and comments. Your follower count doesn't change. Direct messages with other users continue to work normally, and they'll see your new name the next time they open the chat.

If you change your username, the link to your old profile stops working. Anyone who tries to visit your old @handle will see a "user not found" message. If you want people to find you at the old link, you'll need to tell them your new username or wait 30 days and reclaim the old one (if no one else has taken it).

Change your name on the TikTok website

You can also change your display name on a computer. Go to TikTok.com, log in, and click your profile icon in the top right. Click "Edit profile." The name field is editable — click it, type your new display name, and click "Save." The process is the same as in the app, and the change syncs across all devices within seconds.

Changing your username on the website works the same way: click your profile icon, click "Edit profile," then click "Username" and type your new @handle. Remember that you can only change your username once every 30 days, whether you do it on the app or the website.

Reasons your name change might not save

If you try to save a new name and it doesn't stick, the most common reason is that TikTok rejected it for containing banned words or symbols. TikTok's filter blocks certain language and special characters. Try removing numbers, underscores, or periods and using only letters. If the name still won't save, it may contain a word TikTok's system flagged — try a different name entirely.

Another reason a change might fail is if you're trying to change your username too soon. You can only change your username once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it again. Display names have no waiting period, so if you just want a quick change, use the display name field instead.

Change your name if your account was hacked

If someone else changed your name and you can't log in, you'll need to recover your account first. Go to the TikTok login page, tap "Log in," then tap "Forgot password?" Enter your email or phone number and follow the recovery steps. Once you're back in your account, change your password immediately, then change your display name and username back to what you want.

If you can log in but suspect someone else has access to your account, change your password right away. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Password and create a new one. Then review your login activity: go to Settings and privacy > Account > Login activity to see where your account has been accessed. If you see logins from places you don't recognize, log out all other sessions by tapping "Log out of all other devices."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There's no limit on how many times you can change your display name, so you can switch back anytime. If you changed your username and want the old one back, you have to wait 30 days before you can claim it again — and only if no one else has taken it in the meantime.

Will my followers see my old name in their notifications?

No. Once you change your name, it updates everywhere. Your followers will see your new name on your profile, in their feed, and in notifications about your new videos. Old notifications they received before the change will still show your old name, but that's just how the notification was recorded at the time.

What if someone else took my old username after I changed it?

Usernames become available immediately after you change yours. If someone else claims it before you can reclaim it, you can't get it back. You can try reaching out to that person, but TikTok won't force them to give it up. This is why it's worth waiting 30 days if you think you might want your old username back.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?

Display names can include letters, numbers, spaces, underscores, periods, and hyphens. Emojis and most special characters are not allowed. If you try to save a name with characters TikTok doesn't accept, the save button will stay grayed out or show an error message.