Yes, you can change your display name on Snapchat whenever you want
Your display name — the name that appears on your profile and in conversations — can be changed directly in the Snapchat app settings. You can do this as many times as you want, and the change takes effect when ready. The process takes less than a minute.
Your username, by contrast, cannot be changed. This is the handle you chose when you created your account (the one that starts with @ in search). If you need a different username, you would have to create a new account. Most people change their display name instead, since that is what friends see in chat and on your profile.
Key Takeaways
- Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon in the top left, then tap the gear icon to reach Settings.
- Select "Username" in the settings menu, then tap "Display Name" to edit the name your friends see.
- Type your new name and tap the checkmark to save — the change appears right away.
- You can change your display name as often as you want, but your username stays the same for the life of the account.
- Snapchat does not allow certain characters or words in display names, so if your change does not save, try removing special characters or spaces.
Step-by-step: changing your display name
Open the Snapchat app and tap your profile icon in the top left corner of the screen. This takes you to your profile page, where you see your username, display name, and other account details.
Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings. Scroll down until you see "Username" — this section shows both your username and your display name. Tap on "Username" to expand it.
You will see two fields: your username (which you cannot edit) and your display name (which you can). Tap on the display name field, delete the current text, and type your new name. Tap the checkmark button to save. Your new display name appears on your profile and in all your conversations within seconds.
What names Snapchat will and will not allow
Snapchat has restrictions on what you can use as a display name. You cannot use certain special characters, and the app will reject names that contain words it flags as offensive or inappropriate. If your change does not save, you will see an error message — usually it means you used a character Snapchat does not permit.
Spaces, numbers, and most letters work fine. Avoid symbols like @, #, or &. If you are trying to use a name with special formatting and it keeps failing, remove the symbols and try again. Display names can be up to 20 characters long.
If you want to use a name that Snapchat rejected, try a slight variation — for example, using a number instead of a letter, or removing a word that triggered the filter. You can test different versions until one saves successfully.
The difference between display name and username
Your username is permanent. It is the handle you created when you signed up, and it cannot be changed through the app. Other people search for you using your username, and it appears in your Snapcode (the scannable code on your profile). If you hate your username, your only option is to create a new Snapchat account with a different one.
Your display name is what your friends see when they open a chat with you or visit your profile. You can change this as many times as you want, and it does not affect how people find you or add you as a friend. Most people use their display name to show their real name or a nickname, while keeping their username as something they chose years ago.
Changing your name on other devices
If you use Snapchat on both a phone and a computer, the process is the same on both. The app syncs your display name across all devices, so changing it on your phone updates it on your computer automatically, and vice versa.
On a computer, log into Snapchat on the web, click your profile icon, go to Settings, find Username, and edit your display name the same way. The change takes effect on all your devices within seconds.
What happens when you change your display name
When you change your display name, your friends see the new name when ready in their chat list and on your profile. Old messages do not change — they still show your old name next to them, since they were sent under that name. But going forward, all new messages show your new display name.
Changing your display name does not affect your Snapchat score, your streaks, or any of your saved messages or memories. It is purely cosmetic. Your friends do not get a notification that you changed your name — they just see it the next time they open a chat with you or look at your profile.
If you want a completely different account
If you want to start fresh with a new username, you will need to create a new Snapchat account. You can do this with a different email address or phone number. Once you create the new account, you can add your friends again and start with a username you prefer.
You can keep both accounts active at the same time if you want — Snapchat does not prevent you from having multiple accounts. Just log out of one and log into the other when you want to switch. However, you cannot transfer your Snapchat score, streaks, or memories to a new account, so starting over means losing your history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username on Snapchat?
No. Your username is permanent and cannot be changed. If you need a different username, you have to create a new Snapchat account. Your display name, however, can be changed anytime.
How often can I change my display name?
You can change your display name as many times as you want, whenever you want. There is no limit or cooldown period. Each change takes effect when ready.
Will my friends be notified when I change my display name?
No. Your friends do not get a notification. They will see your new name the next time they open a chat with you or visit your profile, but there is no alert sent to them.
What if Snapchat rejects my display name?
Snapchat rejects names that contain certain special characters or words it flags as inappropriate. If your name does not save, try removing symbols, spaces, or words that might be triggering the filter. Numbers and letters usually work fine.
Can I use my real name as my display name?
Yes. Your display name can be anything you want — your real name, a nickname, a joke, or anything else. There is no requirement to use a real name or a fake one.