What you need to do to change your YouTube channel name

You can change your YouTube channel name directly through your account settings. The process takes about two minutes and does not require you to create a new channel or lose your subscribers, videos, or watch history. YouTube lets you change your channel name as often as you want, though there is a waiting period between changes.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are on a computer or phone, but the settings are in the same place: your channel settings menu. You will need to be signed into the Google account that owns the channel.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your channel name through the YouTube settings menu under "Channel," not through your Google account settings.
  • The change takes effect immediately across all YouTube pages, but may take a few hours to show up in search results and recommendations.
  • You must wait 14 days between channel name changes, so choose carefully if you have just changed it.
  • Changing your channel name does not affect your subscriber count, videos, playlists, or any other channel data.

Steps to change your channel name on a computer

Sign into YouTube and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Create a channel" if you have never made one, or "Settings" if you already have a channel. This takes you to your account menu.

Click "Create a new channel" or look for the channel you want to edit. If you have multiple channels, YouTube will show them all here. Select the channel name you want to change. Once you are in that channel, click "Settings" in the left menu. Look for the section labeled "Channel" and click on it.

Find the field that says "Channel name" or "Channel title." This is where your current name appears. Click in that field, delete the old name, and type the new one. Click the "Publish" or "Save" button. YouTube will confirm the change immediately.

Steps to change your channel name on a phone or tablet

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right. Tap "Create a channel" or "Settings." If you already have a channel, tap the channel name you want to edit.

Tap "Settings" at the bottom of the menu. Scroll down and tap "Channel." Look for "Channel name" or "Channel title" and tap on it. Delete the old name and type the new one. Tap "Save" or "Done" to confirm.

The change will show up on your channel page within a few seconds. It may take a few hours for the new name to appear in YouTube search results, recommendations, and other places across the platform.

What happens to your channel when you change the name

Your subscriber count, videos, playlists, comments, and all other channel data stay exactly the same. People who subscribed to you before the change will still be subscribed after. Your channel URL (the web address) does not change if you have a custom URL set up. If you do not have a custom URL yet, YouTube generates one based on your channel ID, not your name, so the URL stays the same either way.

Your channel history and analytics remain unchanged. Anyone who has you bookmarked or has a link to your channel will still be able to find you. The only thing that changes is the name that appears on your channel page and in search results.

The 14-day waiting period between changes

YouTube enforces a 14-day wait between channel name changes. If you just changed your name, you cannot change it again until 14 days have passed from the date of the last change. This rule applies to every channel on your account.

If you try to change your name before the 14 days are up, YouTube will show you a message saying when you can change it next. The exact date and time will be displayed. This waiting period exists to prevent spam and abuse of the naming system.

Changing your channel name versus changing your Google account name

Your YouTube channel name and your Google account name are separate. Changing one does not change the other. Your Google account name is what appears in Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services. Your YouTube channel name is what viewers see on your channel page.

If you want to change both, you will need to do them separately. To change your Google account name, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info," and edit the name field there. To change your YouTube channel name, use the YouTube settings menu as described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my subscribers be notified when I change my channel name?

No, YouTube does not send a notification to your subscribers when you change your channel name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your channel or see your videos in their feed, but they will not receive an alert about the change.

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

Yes, you can change your name back to a previous name, but you still have to wait 14 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to revert it, you will need to wait the full 14 days before making the change.

What if the channel name I want is already taken?

YouTube allows multiple channels to have the same name, so you can use a name even if another channel has it. The difference is that each channel has a unique URL and channel ID. You will not be blocked from using a name because someone else has it.

Does changing my channel name affect my custom URL?

No. If you have set up a custom URL (like youtube.com/c/yourname), changing your channel name does not change the custom URL. Your custom URL stays the same until you manually change it through the channel settings.

How long does it take for the new name to show up everywhere on YouTube?

The name change shows up on your channel page and in your uploads within seconds. It may take a few hours to appear in YouTube search results, recommendations, and other parts of the platform. During this time, both the old and new names may appear in different places.