Change your display name in the TikTok app in three steps

Open TikTok and tap the profile icon at the bottom right. Go to Edit profile, then tap the name field at the top. Delete your current name and type the new one you want. Tap Save when you're done. The change takes effect when ready, and everyone who visits your profile will see your new name right away.

Your display name is what appears on your profile and under your videos — it's separate from your username (the handle that starts with @). You can change your display name as often as you want, and there's no limit to how many times you do it. TikTok doesn't require you to use your real name; you can use any combination of letters, numbers, spaces, and some symbols.

The process is the same whether you're on iPhone, Android, or using TikTok on a web browser. If you're on a computer, click your profile picture in the top right, select Edit profile, and follow the same steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is the text that shows on your profile and under your videos, separate from your @ username.
  • You can change your display name when ready through Edit profile, and the change shows to everyone when ready.
  • TikTok allows you to change your display name as many times as you want with no restrictions.
  • Your display name can include letters, numbers, spaces, and symbols — it does not have to be your real name.
  • If you want to change your @ username instead, that requires a different process and has a 30-day waiting period between changes.

Where to find the Edit profile button

On the TikTok app, tap your profile icon in the bottom navigation bar. It's the silhouette icon on the far right. Once you're on your profile page, look for the Edit profile button near the top — it usually appears as a pencil icon or a button with text. Tap it to open the editing screen.

If you don't see the Edit profile button, make sure you're logged into your own account and not viewing someone else's profile. You can only edit your own profile information.

What you can and cannot change about your name

Your display name — the readable text on your profile — can be changed when ready and as often as you want. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, spaces, and symbols like hyphens or underscores. TikTok doesn't restrict the content of your display name the way some platforms do, so you have a lot of freedom in what you type.

Your username (the @ handle) is different. If you want to change that, you go to Edit profile, tap the username field, and type a new one. However, TikTok enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you changed your username recently, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it again. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and periods — no spaces or other symbols.

Your account email and phone number are also in the Edit profile section, but those require verification steps and are not the same as your display name.

Why your new name might not show up right away in some places

Your display name change takes effect on your profile almost when ready, but it can take a few hours to update everywhere else on TikTok. Comments you've already posted under videos will still show your old name for a while. Videos you've already uploaded will also show your old name in the upload details, though your profile itself will display the new name.

If someone has already screenshotted or shared a video of you, the old name will remain in that screenshot or share. This is normal and not something you can control — it's just how the platform handles cached information across its servers.

Changing your name if you've forgotten your password

If you can't log into your account, you won't be able to change your display name through the app. You'll need to recover your account first. Go to the TikTok login screen, tap Forgot password?, and follow the steps to reset it using your email or phone number. Once you've regained access to your account, you can then change your display name normally.

If you no longer have access to the email or phone number associated with your account, contact TikTok support through the app or website. Go to Settings and privacy, then Help, then Report a problem. Describe that you've lost access to your account and need help recovering it.

The difference between display name and username

Many people confuse these two because they both appear on your profile. Your display name is the friendly, readable text — like "Sarah's Videos" or "Coffee Lover 2024". Your username is your @ handle — like @sarahsvideos or @coffeelovers2024. When someone wants to tag you in a comment, they use your username. When they look at your profile, they see both.

You can change your display name when ready and as many times as you want. Your username has the 30-day waiting period between changes. If you want your display name and username to match, you'll need to change both separately, and you may have to wait 30 days if you've recently changed your username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?

You can use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, underscores, and periods in your display name. Some symbols work, but emojis typically do not. If you try to paste an emoji and it doesn't appear, TikTok has filtered it out. Stick to standard keyboard characters for the most reliable result.

Will changing my name affect my followers or videos?

No. Your followers stay with your account, and all your videos remain on your profile. The only thing that changes is what your name appears as. People who follow you will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see your content.

How long does it take for my new name to show everywhere on TikTok?

Your profile updates when ready, but comments and video metadata can take a few hours to reflect the change across TikTok's servers. This is normal and not something you can speed up. Just wait a few hours and check back.

Can I change my username without waiting 30 days?

No. TikTok enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes for all accounts. If you've recently changed your username, you'll have to wait until that period ends before you can change it again. Your display name, however, can be changed when ready.

What if TikTok says my display name violates community guidelines?

If you see an error message when trying to save your name, TikTok has flagged it as potentially violating its community standards. Try a different name without profanity, slurs, or content that targets or harasses others. If you believe your name was rejected in error, contact TikTok support through the Help section in Settings.