Things To Keep In Mind
Unlike Instagram and Facebook, where you can change your username once every two weeks or month, Twitter doesnt impose such limitations on its users. You can change your Twitter handle as many times as you want.
Before you change your username, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Changing Twitter Handles The Right Way
Step 1: Go to your Twitter account settings and change the username from badguy to goodguy.
Step 2: Log out of Twitter immediately and create another account .
Step 3: Use badguy as the handle for your new Twitter account and set the profile URL to twitter.com/goodguy. In the description, you can say – this account has moved, please follow @goodguy instead. You can even post a new tweet with the same message.
Now if people stumble upon your old Twitter page through search engines or through links on other web pages, they can still find and follow you on your new profile. For more tricks, check the .
Changing Your Display Name
Display name is simple and easy to change. It doesnt have to match your username, and it doesnt have to be unique. One prominent recent example of this is the kerfluffle with noted MRA and abrasive fool Milo Yiannopoulos and his loss of verification on Twitter his followers responded by creating a hashtag, changing their names to match his in solidarity, and accomplished virtually nothing. Thats all beside the point, though.
The point is, its completely trivial to change your display name at any time, and it has very few requirements. It can use all sorts of special characters, ranging from Japanese Kanji to emojis.
To actually change your display name, do this:
Congratulations! You now have a new display name. This affects the name in bold that appears next to all of your tweets, but affects very little else. For marketing, I recommend making sure its your brand name, or the brand name plus the purpose of your account, like BrandService for customer service.
As far as I know, virtually no one has had any issues with their display names. Im sure its actually against the terms of service to use hate speech or certain words in your display name, but Im not sure anyone has had themselves banned about it. At least, I havent heard of any instances where it has happened.
Read Also: How To Stop Seeing Someone’s Posts On Instagram Without Unfollowing Them
Check How To Change Twitter Handle
Unlike other social networks, you dont necessarily have to use your real name on Twitter. Your identifier can be a reference to your real name, a pun or meme, or a collection of random numbers and letters. It just needs to be unique and not contain slurs or other rule-breaking terms. Maybe you are a company and you have changed your brand or name. Whatever the reason, changing your Twitter handle is a quick and easy process that makes logging in more enjoyable than ever. You can change your Twitter name as many times as you want. Unlike Facebook, where you can only change your username once every few months, Twitter has no username restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Your Username Or Nickname On Twitter

Q1. Can you change your Twitter address?
Yes, of course you can change your Twitter address. The method has been discussed with you.
Q2. Do you lose followers when you change your Twitter username?
Q3. How often can you change your Twitter address?
There is no limit to the number of times you can change your username.
Q4. Can I reuse my last Twitter username?
Once you change your Twitter address, it becomes available to everyone. If someone has taken over the name, you cant go back to your old Twitter account. If not, you can use it again.
Q5. Will my friends be notified when my Twitter handle changes?
You can notify your followers of a username change, but Twitter will not send them a message.
Q6. How long can a user name be on Twitter?
Your Twitter address may consist of a minimum of four and a maximum of 15 characters.
Q7. What should I do if I forget my Twitter username?
You can log into your account using the email ID or phone number you used when registering your Twitter account. You can also find your user name in one of the emails you receive from Twitter.
Q8. Can you hide your Twitter username from others?
No, the username is public information on Twitter, so users cannot hide it from others.
Co-author: Ms. Jyoti Kumari
This source has been very much helpful in doing our research. Read more about and let us know what you think.
Read Also: Can You Merge Instagram Accounts
Make The Right Call On Your New Username
If youve decided its in your best interest to change your username, youll want to keep a few best practices in mind. Think about what an ideal username would be not just today, but for years into the future this will help you avoid having to go through the renaming process again.
If the username you want is taken but no longer active, try reaching out to the account owner directly to ask if they will allow you to use it. Usually, you can find a way to contact the person through a simple Google search. Twitter has a strict rule against paying for usernames, so if the account owner wants you to pay, be aware that doing so puts you at risk of being kicked off the platform.
If youre unable to secure the username you want, an alternative is to modify it slightly to find something thats available yet still memorable and relevant. For example, you could add a location or an underscore or hyphen . But be mindful of length, as your username contributes to the character count for any tweet in which its mentioned.
Changing Your Twitter Profile Picture
If you wish to change how your Twitter profile picture looks, then you can do the following:
On Windows, Mac, or Chromebook PC
On the Mobile App
Recommended Reading: Twitter Close Account
Ive Moved Changing Your Twitter Handle
When you signed up for Twitter you may not have originally put a lot of thought into the handle or name you chose. Most people dont realize the impact that Twitter can have on your personal and professional brand, that people that follow and engage with you in part based on your handle and that people will end up running into you in real life and know you by your handle better than your real name. You may want to change your handle to be closer to your real name, closer to a business name or switch nicknames to one more appropriate for the topics you chat about, whatever the case here are a few steps to help you get through a Twitter handle change with minimal negative impact to your followers or existing brand.
Avoid changing your avatar and handle at the same timePeople are visual and will often recognize your avatar before recognizing your handle. If you change both at the same time you run the risk of confusing and perhaps losing followers who dont know who you are or recognize you anymore. If you know you want to change your avatar and your handle, try to spread the changes out over at least two weeks, but ideally over a month. Spreading your changes out over a month allows users that dont login very often see you mid transition and hopefully recognize you easier after the full switch.
Originally published on ReSoMe.com
How To Change Your Twitter Username Or Handle
When you opened your Twitter account more than a decade ago or more, you probably thought that funny username was cute and smart. However, youre now looking at it cringing in embarrassment and wishing you could change it. Well, the good news is that you can. Heres how to change your official Twitter handle without your followers not even realizing youve done it.
Read more:
QUICK ANSWER
To change your Twitter handle on the web, and on the Twitter app, go to Settings–> Your account–> Account information–> Username. Type in the username you wish to have and click Save. If the username is available, your profile URL will automatically update with the new handle.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
You May Like: How To Log Out Of Pintrest
What To Do If The Username Is Available But Cannot Be Chosen
Sometimes a username appears to be available, but you cant claim it. This can be due to several reasons:
Why To Change Twitter Display Name
Users update their profile bio, picture and even change the username & display name for many different reasons. Sometimes the Twitter handle does not represent the nature of your business, profession, or your personality. Also, users get bored with their old Twitter name so they want to change it over the period the time.
Read Also: What Does A Blue Arrow Mean On Snapchat
Choose A New Twitter Handle
The first thing to worry about is what handle you’ll use moving forward. Unfortunately there are a lot of unused accounts sitting around, registered by squatters or people who simply stopped using their names. If you want one, you can always ask them if they’re willing to let the handle go. But beyond that, you’re currently out of luck. So be prepared to try other options.
What Happens After You Change Your Twitter Handle

After youve , your new tweets will come from your new username. Your old tweets will stay on your profile, and they will be rebranded with your new Twitter handle. However, any new tweet or retweet you were mentioned in will still be under your old name. It will no longer be linked to your account. Conversations will become very one-sided, as all the messages from the second party disappear, leaving only your own. This is because mentions in tweets are based on tax, not unique ideas. So, Twitter will not change a tweet just because you changed your username. Instead, the link will go to a 404 page until someone creates an account or changes their username with your old handle.
Although all mentions under your old username will disappear from your profile, they will still linger in your notifications tab. Since a regular download of your Twitter data wont take this, you can archive this activity by opening the notifications page. From there, right-click anywhere on it and choose save as with the format of webpage, complete. This will create a duplicate of the page stored locally on your own computer.
You May Like: What Does The Gray Arrow Mean In Snapchat
What Is My Twitter Username Or Handle And How To Change It
Did someone recently ask you to share your Twitter username/handle with them? Now you must be wondering whats my Twitter username and how to find it? Worry not. You have reached the right place. We will tell you how to find your Twitter username, how to change your username, and much more. Lets get started.
Announce The Name Change To Your Followers
Go to your main Twitter account . Send out a tweet to let them know you’ve changed your handle (mention the old one in the tweet so they recognize who you are. If you’re changing it to something like your real name, like I did, a message or two is probably enough. People will catch on. If you’ve changed it to something brandable that isn’t as clearly-identifiable, you might have to keep reminding people of the change for several days or even weeks. Just avoid getting spammy about it.
That’s all there is to it. You’ve just changed your Twitter name and you didn’t lose a single follower in the transition. Of course, it’s not a perfect solution. You will lose old links. So make sure you update any that you have control over, such as links on your own blog.
Also Check: Change Main Gmail Account
How To Change Display Name On Twitter 2021
If you are unable to change Twitter display name then follow these simple steps:
- Log in to your Twitter account.
- From the Twitter Edit profile window, you can change the display name up to 50 characters.
- Now change Twitter name that you want to use and then hit the save button at the top.
Finally, you have changed the Twitter Display name, this was as simple as it was.
How To Change Twitter Handle Without Losing Followers
As Twitter points out, you wont lose your followers when you change the Twitter handle. Moreover, you will still be able to access your direct messages or replies.
But you still need to inform your followers through a post. This way, they can still send you direct messages via the new username. If possible, you should update all the external links to your account.
Recommended Reading: What Does Ib Mean In Text
What If Your Chosen Username Is Not Available
Twitter boasts about 330 million active users per month, which means your desired username is very likely to be occupied by another person.
There are a few things you can do when facing the unavailable red sign. The first one is to make some smart modifications. But remember that you shouldnt deviate from your main identity. Here are some recommendations:
- Add some underscores or hyphens to your username.
- Shorten the name or replace it with a nickname.
- Use the abbreviation of your location at the end of your username.
- Add the in front of your name, if possible.
- Begin your username with This is or I am.
- Type some letters more than once but dont overdo it.
- Add words such as join, queen, daily, or whatever that introduces you the best.
However, if you insist on choosing a particular username and its taken by an inactive user, you should figure out a way to contact them and ask for their permission.
The owner may be nice enough to let you take it for free. But if they ask for money, youd better forget about the username, because Twitter is against username trading, and it may shut off your account altogether.
Can I Use A Fake Name On Twitter
You can use a fake name on Twitter, but only as long as you dont impersonate anyone. All you need to sign up is an email address and a password. So, if you insist on being anonymous for one reason or another, you can use a non-original name. However, if you intend to use it in a professional field, it may not be a good idea.
Don’t Miss: How To Delete Third Party Apps For Snapchat
When Should You Change Your Twitter Handle
You should consider updating your Twitter handle if:
- Your existing username includes a typing error.
- Your Twitter username is different from what you chose for other social media accounts.
- Youve grown into a different person and dont see the current handle appropriate for you.
- You want to change your personal account to a business one.
- Youve recently changed your company/business name.
- You think there are no clear strategies behind your current username choice.
How To Change Twitter Username From Desktop

If you are wondering how can I change my Twitter Handle then follow these below-mentioned instructions carefully.
- Log in to your Twitter account from the username you want to change.
- Now as you logged in, click on the three dots i.e., More options from the left side panel.
- Now select the Settings & privacy option.
- You can see the setting of your account after you click on Account information from the panel on the right side.
- Here you have to confirm the ownership by entering your password and click hit.
- As you are done with it you will see all your account-related information and at the top, you have to click Username for Twitter.
- Change the username whichever you want based on the availability and click save.
This is how you can remove a name on Twitter with a new username.
Read Also: How Do I Allow Camera Access On Snapchat