Change Your Twitter Username or Display Name

Changing your Twitter username updates your @handle and profile link; changing your display name updates the name shown on your profile and beside your posts. You can edit either—or both—from your account settings on the web or in the X app, and you do not need to create a new account.

What You’ll Need

• Access to the Twitter/X account you want to edit.
• A new username that is available and follows the platform’s username rules, if you are changing your @handle.
• The current X app or a web browser. Menu labels can vary slightly between app versions and devices.

Step-by-Step

1. Open your account settings. In the X app, sign in, tap your profile picture or navigation menu, then choose Settings and privacy. On the website, sign in, select More in the side menu, then select Settings and privacy.
2. Choose which name to change. To change your @username, open Your account and select Account information. X may ask you to enter your password or complete another account check. To change your display name, return to the main settings area and choose Your account > Account information > Name, or open your profile and select Edit profile. If the app’s menu differs, use the equivalent account information or profile-editing option.
3. Enter your new username, if applicable. In Username, replace the existing handle with your preferred one. A username is the unique name after the @ symbol; it is not the same as your display name. Usernames must meet X’s current length and character rules and cannot already belong to another account. The form will indicate whether the name can be used.
4. Save the username change. Select Save or the confirmation button shown. If asked, enter your password again. Check that the username displayed in account information is the new one. Your profile address and @mentions will use the updated handle.
5. Edit your display name, if applicable. Go to your profile and choose Edit profile, then tap or click the Name field. Enter the name you want others to see. This field is separate from your username and does not have to be unique. Select Save to apply it.
6. Confirm the changes on your profile. Open your profile and check the display name, @username, and profile link. If you changed only one, make sure the other remains as expected. Refresh the page or close and reopen the app if the old value is still visible.
7. Update places where people find you. If you changed your username, tell contacts who use your old @handle and update links you control, such as a website bio or email signature. Your old username may become available to someone else, so do not assume you can reclaim it later.

Common Mistakes

• Editing the wrong field: The username is your unique @handle; the display name is the profile name people see. Changing the display name does not change your handle or profile URL.
• Assuming the old link will keep working: A username change changes your profile address. Links that include your old handle may stop pointing to your profile or may eventually lead to another account if the old name is reused.
• Choosing a handle that is unavailable: A name may be taken even if its account appears inactive. Try a different spelling or add a relevant word or number rather than relying on punctuation that the username rules do not allow.
• Forgetting to save: Leaving the form or navigating away before selecting Save can discard the edit. Look for a confirmation or check the profile after saving.
• Expecting a display-name change to affect mentions: People mention accounts using the @username, not the display name. If you want your handle to change, edit the username separately.

Tips

• Choose a username that is easy to spell aloud and type. If you use X professionally, keeping it close to your existing handle on other platforms can make you easier to find.
• Check the new handle carefully before saving, especially for confusing letters, extra digits, or unintended words.
• Changing your handle does not create a new account or, by itself, delete your posts, followers, or direct messages. Still, people may need time to recognize the new name.
• If you are changing the handle to protect your privacy, remember that other profile details, old posts, and information shared elsewhere may still identify you. A name change alone does not remove existing content.
• Update any links you manage promptly, and let people who rely on your old handle know how to find you.

Troubleshooting

• The username is rejected: Check for a spelling error and review the current username requirements shown by X. The handle may already be in use or reserved. Try a genuinely different option; changing capitalization usually will not make a taken username available.
• You cannot find the username setting: Confirm you are signed into the right account, then open Settings and privacy > Your account > Account information. On some devices, you may need to scroll. Update the app or try the website if the relevant option is missing.
• X asks for a password or verification: Follow the on-screen account check. If you do not know your password, use the account recovery process before trying again. Do not share your password or verification code with anyone.
• The change does not appear: Check the saved value in account information, refresh the profile, and reopen the app. If it still has not changed, sign out and back in only if you can securely sign in again, then retry or use another supported device.
• You cannot access the account: Resolve the sign-in issue through X’s account recovery and help options first. You generally cannot edit the profile settings for an account you cannot access.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Twitter username and a display name?
The username is the unique @handle used for mentions and your profile address. The display name appears as your profile name and does not have to be unique.

Will changing my username remove my followers or posts?
No. A username change does not create a new account, and it does not by itself remove your followers, posts, or direct messages.

Can I change my display name without changing my username?
Yes. Edit the Name field in your profile settings and leave the username unchanged.

Can I use my old username again?
Possibly, if it is still available and X allows it. Once released, the old handle may be claimed by someone else, so do not count on getting it back.

Does a username change update links to my profile?
Your profile uses the new handle, but you should update links you control and tell people who use your old @mention. Do not assume every old link will redirect permanently.

Can I change my username from the X app?
Yes. Use the account information settings in the app. If the option is unavailable or the menus differ, try the X website and check that you are signed into the correct account.

Related

• Windows 11 26H2 Audio Not Working? Fixes to Try
• How to Edit Video in Cloud Browser Editors
• Fix the “We Can’t Sign In to Your Account” Error in Windows 10