Change your channel name in YouTube Studio in three steps
Open YouTube Studio on a computer (the mobile app does not have this option). Click your profile picture in the top right, then select Create a channel or Manage your channels depending on whether you already have one. Find the channel you want to rename, click the settings icon, and select Basic info. In the Channel name field, type your new name and click Publish.
The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few hours for the new name to appear everywhere YouTube shows it — in search results, on your uploads, and in your subscriber list. Your channel URL (the web address) does not change unless you have a custom URL, which you can update separately in the Advanced settings section.
You can change your channel name as often as you want. There is no limit on how many times you rename it, and no waiting period between changes. If you change your mind within a few hours, you can change it back the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Channel name changes happen in YouTube Studio under Basic info, not in your Google Account settings.
- The new name appears when ready on your channel page but may take a few hours to update everywhere on YouTube.
- Your channel URL stays the same unless you have a custom URL, which you can update separately in Advanced settings.
- You can rename your channel as many times as you want with no waiting period between changes.
- Mobile YouTube does not have the rename option — you must use a computer or the YouTube Studio website.
Where to find the channel name setting
The channel name field lives in YouTube Studio, not in your Google Account. Many people look in their Google Account settings first and do not find it there. YouTube Studio is the creator dashboard where you manage uploads, analytics, and channel details.
Go to youtube.com/studio and sign in with the Google Account that owns the channel. On the left sidebar, click Settings, then Basic info. The Channel name field is at the top of that page. Type your new name directly into the field — you do not need to delete the old one first, just select all the text and type over it.
If you have more than one channel on your Google Account, make sure you are editing the right one. The channel name appears in the top left of YouTube Studio. If it is not the one you want to rename, click your profile picture and select the correct channel from the dropdown menu before you go to Settings.
What happens to your channel URL and custom URL
Your channel URL — the web address like youtube.com/@yourchannelname — does not automatically change when you rename your channel. YouTube generates a permanent channel ID that never changes, and your URL is based on that ID, not on your channel name.
If you have a custom URL (a shorter, branded web address that you set up separately), that also stays the same. You can update your custom URL in YouTube Studio under Settings > Advanced settings > Custom URL. You can only change a custom URL once every 90 days, and it must be at least 3 characters long and not already taken by another channel.
Most viewers will not notice the difference between your channel name and your URL. The channel name is what shows on your channel page and next to your videos. The URL is what appears in the address bar when someone visits your channel directly.
How long the change takes to show up everywhere
Your new channel name appears on your channel page and in your uploads within a few minutes. However, YouTube's search index, recommendation system, and subscriber notifications may take several hours to update. If someone searches for your old channel name when ready after you change it, they may not find you right away.
Subscribers will see your new channel name the next time they visit your channel or watch one of your videos. YouTube does not send a notification to subscribers when you rename your channel. If you want to tell them about the change, you can post a community post or mention it in a video.
In rare cases, if your channel has a very large subscriber base or high traffic, the name change may take up to 24 hours to appear everywhere. This is normal and not a sign that something went wrong.
Renaming a channel you do not actively use
If you have an old channel that you created years ago but no longer upload to, you can still rename it. The same process applies: go to YouTube Studio, select that channel from your channel list, and change the name in Basic info.
Renaming an inactive channel does not reactivate it or change its visibility. If the channel was not searchable before, it will not become searchable just because you renamed it. YouTube's search and recommendation systems prioritize active channels with recent uploads.
If you want to delete a channel instead of renaming it, that is a separate process in Settings > Advanced settings > Delete channel. Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure that is what you want before you proceed.
Changing your name on a brand account
If your channel is linked to a brand account (a special type of Google Account created specifically for a business or organization), the process is the same. Go to YouTube Studio, click Settings > Basic info, and change the channel name.
A brand account is different from a regular Google Account. It does not have an email address and cannot sign into other Google services. If you are not sure whether your channel uses a brand account, look at the top left of YouTube Studio — if it shows a business name or logo instead of a personal name, it is likely a brand account.
If you want to change the name of the brand account itself (not just the YouTube channel), that is a different setting. In YouTube Studio, go to Settings > Basic info and look for Brand account name. This controls how the account appears across YouTube, not just on your channel.
Troubleshooting: why the change did not work
If you clicked Publish but your channel name did not change, check that you are signed into the correct Google Account. YouTube Studio shows different channels depending on which account you are signed into. Sign out completely and sign back in with the account that owns the channel you want to rename.
If the Publish button is grayed out or does not respond, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. Sometimes YouTube Studio gets stuck if you have multiple tabs open or if your internet connection is slow. Close other YouTube tabs and try again.
If you see an error message saying the name is already taken or contains forbidden characters, choose a different name. YouTube does not allow channel names that are identical to existing channels, and some special characters are not permitted. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my channel name on mobile?
No. The YouTube mobile app does not have the rename option. You must use a computer and go to youtube.com/studio in a web browser. The mobile app lets you view your channel settings but not edit the channel name.
Will my subscribers be notified when I change my channel name?
No. YouTube does not send a notification to subscribers when you rename your channel. They will see the new name the next time they visit your channel or watch your videos. If you want to tell them about the change, post a community update or mention it in a video.
What if someone else has already taken the name I want?
YouTube allows multiple channels to have the same channel name as long as they are different channels. However, if you try to set a custom URL to a name that is already taken, that will be blocked. For the channel name itself, you can use any name you want, even if another channel has it.
Does changing my channel name affect my videos or watch history?
No. Your videos stay exactly where they are, and your watch history is not affected. The only thing that changes is the name that appears next to your uploads and on your channel page. All your video links, playlists, and subscriber data remain the same.
Can I change my channel name back to what it was before?
Yes. You can change your channel name back to any previous name at any time. There is no waiting period or limit on how many times you rename your channel. Just go back to YouTube Studio and type in the old name.