Change Your Display Name in Settings

To change the name that appears on your Snapchat profile, open the app and tap your profile icon in the top-left corner. Then tap the gear icon to enter Settings. Scroll down and tap "Username" — but stop here. Your username (the handle people use to add you) cannot be changed once it's set. What you can change is your display name, which is the full name shown on your profile.

Go back to Settings and look for "Name" instead. Tap it, clear the current text, and type the new name you want. Snapchat allows up to 58 characters, including spaces and punctuation. When you're done, tap outside the text box or press the back button — the change saves automatically. Your new name appears on your profile and in conversations within seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (the full name on your profile) can be changed anytime in Settings under "Name," but your username cannot be changed after creation.
  • Display names can be up to 58 characters and may include spaces, numbers, and punctuation.
  • Changes to your display name take effect when ready across all your chats and your profile.
  • If you want a different username, you must create a new Snapchat account — there is no way to change it on an existing account.
  • Other users see your display name in chats and on your profile, but the username they used to add you stays the same.

The Difference Between Username and Display Name

Snapchat uses two separate identifiers, and mixing them up is the most common source of confusion. Your username is the handle you chose when you created your account — the one people type into the search bar to find and add you. Once set, it cannot be changed, removed, or modified in any way. If you hate your username, your only option is to create a new account.

Your display name is what people see when they open a chat with you or visit your profile. It's purely visual and has no effect on how anyone finds you. You can change your display name as often as you want, and it won't affect your username or anyone's ability to message you. Think of the username as your permanent address and the display name as the nameplate on your door.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Display Name on iPhone

Open Snapchat and tap the profile icon in the top-left corner of the camera screen. You'll see your current display name at the top of the profile page. Tap the gear icon in the top-right to open Settings. Scroll down the Settings menu until you see "Name" — it's usually near the middle of the list, below options like "Username" and "Phone Number."

Tap "Name" to open the text field. The current display name will be highlighted. Delete it completely and type your new name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Once you've typed the new name, tap outside the text box or swipe back to the previous screen. The change saves automatically and appears on your profile right away.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Display Name on Android

The process is nearly identical on Android. Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top-left corner. Tap the gear icon to enter Settings. Scroll down to find "Name" in the Settings menu. Tap it to open the text field where your current display name appears.

Select all the text and delete it, then type your new display name. Android keyboards may vary, but the process is the same: type, then exit the field by tapping the back button or tapping elsewhere on the screen. Your new name updates when ready and will show on your profile and in all your conversations.

What Happens When You Change Your Display Name

When you change your display name, the update is when ready across Snapchat. Everyone in your friends list sees the new name the next time they open a chat with you or view your profile. Old messages you sent before the change still show your old display name — Snapchat doesn't retroactively update message history. Your username remains exactly the same, so anyone who has you added will still be able to message you without any interruption.

If you change your display name multiple times, there's no limit to how often you can do it. Snapchat doesn't track name changes or notify your friends when you change it. The change is silent and when ready, so you can experiment with different names without worrying about drawing attention or losing access to your account.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake is trying to change your username instead of your display name. Many people tap "Username" in Settings, see that it's locked or unchangeable, and assume they're stuck. Remember: "Username" is your permanent handle, and "Name" is what you can actually change. If you've been looking in the wrong place, go back to Settings and look for "Name" specifically.

Another common error is assuming that changing your display name will change how people find you. It won't. Your username is what matters for search and adding friends. If you want a completely different identity on Snapchat, you'll need to create a new account with a new username — changing your display name alone won't accomplish that. Also, be aware that Snapchat may reject display names that contain certain words or symbols, though most standard text is accepted without issue.

If You Want to Change Your Username

If you're unhappy with your username and want something different, Snapchat does not offer a way to change it. Your username is permanent and tied to your account from the moment you create it. The only way to get a new username is to create a brand-new Snapchat account with a different email address or phone number and choose a new username during setup.

Before you create a new account, understand what you'll lose: your Snapchat score, your friends list, your chat history, and any Snapstreaks you've built. You'll have to re-add all your friends and start from zero. For most people, changing the display name is enough to feel like a fresh start without losing everything. If you do decide to create a new account, add your friends from the new account first, then let them know your old account is being retired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on Snapchat?

No. Your username is permanent and cannot be changed once your account is created. If you want a different username, you must create a new Snapchat account. Your display name can be changed anytime, but that won't affect your username or how people find you.

Will my friends see my old display name in old messages?

Yes. Messages you sent before changing your display name will still show your old name next to them. Only new messages and your profile will show the updated name. Snapchat doesn't update the names in old message threads.

How often can I change my display name?

You can change your display name as many times as you want with no limit. There's no waiting period between changes, and Snapchat doesn't notify your friends when you change it. You can experiment with different names without any consequences.

What characters can I use in my display name?

You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks in your display name, up to 58 characters total. Snapchat may reject names containing certain offensive words or symbols, but standard text is almost always accepted.

If I change my display name, will people still be able to message me?

Yes. Your username stays the same, so anyone who has you added will continue to be able to find and message you. Changing your display name has no effect on your account access or how people contact you.