Changing your username can feel like getting a fresh start online. Maybe your old username no longer represents you, or perhaps you've outgrown that 'xX_Gamer_Xx' phase. Whatever your reason, changing your username is possible on most platforms—but the process isn't always obvious.
I've helped dozens of people update their online identities, and I've learned that each platform has its own rules, limitations, and quirks. Here's your comprehensive guide to changing usernames on the most popular platforms.
Important Considerations Before Changing:
Check availability first: Use a tool like UsernameGen.xyz to find available names
Understand the consequences: Some platforms limit how often you can change
Notify your contacts: Let people know about your new username
Update linked accounts: Change your username everywhere it's connected
Back up data: Some platforms might have issues during the change
Now, let's go platform by platform:
Instagram
How to change:
1. Open Instagram app
2. Go to your profile
3. Tap 'Edit Profile'
4. Change 'Username' field
5. Tap 'Done' or checkmark
Important notes:
Usernames must be unique
Can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores
Cannot be changed more than a few times within 14 days
Your old username becomes available to others immediately
Twitter/X
How to change:
1. Click on your profile icon
2. Select 'Settings and privacy'
3. Click 'Your account'
4. Choose 'Account information'
5. Enter password if prompted
6. Click 'Username' to edit
7. Enter new username
8. Click 'Save'
Important notes:
Must be unique
15 character maximum
Can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores
Changes are instant
Your @mention history updates automatically
Discord
How to change your display name:
1. Click the gear icon (User Settings)
2. Select 'My Account'
3. Click 'Edit' next to your username
4. Enter new username
5. Enter password to confirm
6. Click 'Save'
How to change server nickname:
1. Right-click your name in server member list
2. Select 'Change Nickname'
3. Enter new nickname
4. Click 'Save'
Important notes:
Can change username every time you log in
Display name changes are free
Server nicknames are server-specific
Steam
How to change:
1. Click your current name in top-right corner
2. Select 'View my profile'
3. Click 'Edit Profile'
4. Change 'Profile name'
5. Click 'Save Changes'
Important notes:
Can change anytime
No limit on changes
Doesn't affect login credentials
Friends will see your new name immediately
Reddit
How to change:
You cannot change your Reddit username
You must create a new account
Workaround:
Use the display name feature:
1. Go to User Settings
2. Select 'Profile'
3. Change 'Display name'
4. Click 'Save Options'
Important notes:
Display name shows instead of username in some places
Your original username still appears in comments and posts
Consider creating a new account if username is important
Facebook
How to change:
1. Click your profile picture
2. Select 'Settings & privacy'
3. Click 'Settings'
4. Select 'Name'
5. Enter new name
6. Click 'Review Change'
7. Enter password
8. Click 'Save Changes'
Important notes:
Can only change name every 60 days
Must use your authentic name
Limited changes to prevent fake accounts
YouTube/Google Account
How to change:
1. Go to your Google Account
2. Select 'Personal info'
3. Click 'Name'
4. Select 'Edit' next to your name
5. Enter new name
6. Click 'Save'
Important notes:
Changes across all Google services
May take time to update everywhere
Your old name might appear in some places temporarily
TikTok
How to change:
1. Go to your profile
2. Tap 'Edit profile'
3. Tap 'Username'
4. Enter new username
5. Tap 'Save'
Important notes:
Can change every 30 days
Must be unique
Only letters, numbers, underscores, and periods
Twitch
How to change:
You cannot change your Twitch username
You must contact Twitch support for special cases
Alternative:
Use display name feature:
1. Click your profile icon
2. Select 'Settings'
3. Choose 'Profile'
4. Edit 'Display Name'
Important notes:
Display name shows instead of username
Original username still appears in URL
Consider creating new account if essential
Spotify
How to change:
1. Go to account page on web
2. Click 'Edit profile'
3. Change 'Username'
4. Click 'Save profile'
Important notes:
Must use web browser, not app
Can only contain letters and numbers
Cannot contain spaces or special characters
General Tips for a Smooth Username Change:
1. Plan Ahead
Check availability on all platforms first
Have 2-3 backup options ready
Consider consistency across platforms
2. Communicate the Change
Update your bio/description to mention the change
Make a post announcing your new username
Tell close contacts personally
3. Update Everything
Change login credentials if needed
Update email signatures
Change usernames on linked apps and services
4. Be Patient
Some platforms take time to update everywhere
Cache might show old name for a while
Search engines take time to re-index
5. Secure Your Old Name
If possible, keep the old account active briefly
Make sure no one else takes your old name maliciously
Redirect followers if platform allows
What to Do If Your Desired Name Is Taken:
Add middle initials or slight variations
Use a username generator for similar alternatives
Consider different platforms where it might be available
Try contacting current holder (if it's an inactive account)
When to Consider Professional Help:
If you're rebranding a business
If you have a large following
If the change involves legal names
If you're experiencing harassment
Final Advice:
Changing your username is like moving to a new digital neighborhood. It takes time to settle in, update your address everywhere, and let people know where you've gone. But with careful planning and these step-by-step guides, you can make the transition smoothly.
Remember: Your username is an important part of your online identity. Don't rush the change, and make sure your new name represents who you are now—not who you were when you created the account years ago.
Take your time, follow the steps for each platform, and enjoy your fresh start with a username that better represents the current you.
I've helped dozens of people update their online identities, and I've learned that each platform has its own rules, limitations, and quirks. Here's your comprehensive guide to changing usernames on the most popular platforms.
Important Considerations Before Changing:
Check availability first: Use a tool like UsernameGen.xyz to find available names
Understand the consequences: Some platforms limit how often you can change
Notify your contacts: Let people know about your new username
Update linked accounts: Change your username everywhere it's connected
Back up data: Some platforms might have issues during the change
Now, let's go platform by platform:
How to change:
1. Open Instagram app
2. Go to your profile
3. Tap 'Edit Profile'
4. Change 'Username' field
5. Tap 'Done' or checkmark
Important notes:
Usernames must be unique
Can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores
Cannot be changed more than a few times within 14 days
Your old username becomes available to others immediately
Twitter/X
How to change:
1. Click on your profile icon
2. Select 'Settings and privacy'
3. Click 'Your account'
4. Choose 'Account information'
5. Enter password if prompted
6. Click 'Username' to edit
7. Enter new username
8. Click 'Save'
Important notes:
Must be unique
15 character maximum
Can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores
Changes are instant
Your @mention history updates automatically
Discord
How to change your display name:
1. Click the gear icon (User Settings)
2. Select 'My Account'
3. Click 'Edit' next to your username
4. Enter new username
5. Enter password to confirm
6. Click 'Save'
How to change server nickname:
1. Right-click your name in server member list
2. Select 'Change Nickname'
3. Enter new nickname
4. Click 'Save'
Important notes:
Can change username every time you log in
Display name changes are free
Server nicknames are server-specific
Steam
How to change:
1. Click your current name in top-right corner
2. Select 'View my profile'
3. Click 'Edit Profile'
4. Change 'Profile name'
5. Click 'Save Changes'
Important notes:
Can change anytime
No limit on changes
Doesn't affect login credentials
Friends will see your new name immediately
How to change:
You cannot change your Reddit username
You must create a new account
Workaround:
Use the display name feature:
1. Go to User Settings
2. Select 'Profile'
3. Change 'Display name'
4. Click 'Save Options'
Important notes:
Display name shows instead of username in some places
Your original username still appears in comments and posts
Consider creating a new account if username is important
How to change:
1. Click your profile picture
2. Select 'Settings & privacy'
3. Click 'Settings'
4. Select 'Name'
5. Enter new name
6. Click 'Review Change'
7. Enter password
8. Click 'Save Changes'
Important notes:
Can only change name every 60 days
Must use your authentic name
Limited changes to prevent fake accounts
YouTube/Google Account
How to change:
1. Go to your Google Account
2. Select 'Personal info'
3. Click 'Name'
4. Select 'Edit' next to your name
5. Enter new name
6. Click 'Save'
Important notes:
Changes across all Google services
May take time to update everywhere
Your old name might appear in some places temporarily
TikTok
How to change:
1. Go to your profile
2. Tap 'Edit profile'
3. Tap 'Username'
4. Enter new username
5. Tap 'Save'
Important notes:
Can change every 30 days
Must be unique
Only letters, numbers, underscores, and periods
Twitch
How to change:
You cannot change your Twitch username
You must contact Twitch support for special cases
Alternative:
Use display name feature:
1. Click your profile icon
2. Select 'Settings'
3. Choose 'Profile'
4. Edit 'Display Name'
Important notes:
Display name shows instead of username
Original username still appears in URL
Consider creating new account if essential
Spotify
How to change:
1. Go to account page on web
2. Click 'Edit profile'
3. Change 'Username'
4. Click 'Save profile'
Important notes:
Must use web browser, not app
Can only contain letters and numbers
Cannot contain spaces or special characters
General Tips for a Smooth Username Change:
1. Plan Ahead
Check availability on all platforms first
Have 2-3 backup options ready
Consider consistency across platforms
2. Communicate the Change
Update your bio/description to mention the change
Make a post announcing your new username
Tell close contacts personally
3. Update Everything
Change login credentials if needed
Update email signatures
Change usernames on linked apps and services
4. Be Patient
Some platforms take time to update everywhere
Cache might show old name for a while
Search engines take time to re-index
5. Secure Your Old Name
If possible, keep the old account active briefly
Make sure no one else takes your old name maliciously
Redirect followers if platform allows
What to Do If Your Desired Name Is Taken:
Add middle initials or slight variations
Use a username generator for similar alternatives
Consider different platforms where it might be available
Try contacting current holder (if it's an inactive account)
When to Consider Professional Help:
If you're rebranding a business
If you have a large following
If the change involves legal names
If you're experiencing harassment
Final Advice:
Changing your username is like moving to a new digital neighborhood. It takes time to settle in, update your address everywhere, and let people know where you've gone. But with careful planning and these step-by-step guides, you can make the transition smoothly.
Remember: Your username is an important part of your online identity. Don't rush the change, and make sure your new name represents who you are now—not who you were when you created the account years ago.
Take your time, follow the steps for each platform, and enjoy your fresh start with a username that better represents the current you.