Change your Snapchat display name in settings

You can change the name that appears on your Snapchat profile by going to your account settings and editing the display name field. This is different from your username — your display name is what friends see on their chat list and your profile, while your username is the handle you use to add people. Snapchat lets you change your display name as often as you want, but you can only change your username once every 30 days.

The steps are the same whether you use iPhone or Android. Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Then tap the settings gear icon in the top right. Scroll down to find "Username" — directly above or below it you'll see "Display Name." Tap on the display name field, clear the current text, type your new name, and tap the checkmark or "Save" button to confirm.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is what friends see on your profile and in chats, and you can change it whenever you want.
  • Your username is your Snapchat handle and can only be changed once every 30 days.
  • Display name changes take effect when ready and are visible to all your friends right away.
  • You can use spaces, numbers, and most special characters in your display name, but not in your username.

Where to find the display name setting

Start by opening the Snapchat app and tapping your profile icon — it's a small circle or avatar in the top left corner of the camera screen. This takes you to your profile page. In the top right corner of that page, you'll see a settings icon that looks like a gear. Tap it to open your account settings.

Once you're in settings, scroll down the list until you see "Username." Your display name field is usually just above or below the username field. The exact position can vary slightly depending on your app version, but both fields are always grouped together in the account section. If you don't see them when ready, keep scrolling — they're always in the settings menu.

Editing and saving your new display name

Tap on the display name field to open the text box. The current name will be highlighted or selected. You can delete it and type a new name, or select all the text and replace it. Snapchat allows you to use letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, and underscores in your display name. You can make it as long as you want — there's no character limit.

After you type your new name, look for a checkmark button or a "Save" button near the text field. Tap it to confirm the change. The app will show a brief confirmation message, and your new display name will appear on your profile when ready. All your friends will see the updated name in their chat list and on your profile page right away.

Difference between display name and username

Your display name is the friendly name people see when they look at your profile or chat with you. You can change it as many times as you want, and it can include spaces and special characters. It's purely for appearance and doesn't affect how people find you or add you as a friend.

Your username is your unique Snapchat handle — the name you use to add friends and the name that appears in your profile URL. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and underscores, and you can only change your username once every 30 days. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, Snapchat will show you a message telling you when you'll be able to change it again.

What happens after you change your display name

The change takes effect when ready. Your new display name will appear on your profile, in your friends' chat lists, and in any group chats you're part of. People who have you saved in their contacts will see your new display name instead of your username. There's no waiting period or confirmation from Snapchat — the moment you tap save, the change is live.

Changing your display name does not affect your Snapchat memories, streaks, or any of your saved conversations. Your friends will still have all the same chats and snaps from before. If you change your mind, you can go back to settings and change your display name again at any time.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is confusing your display name with your username. If you're trying to change the name people use to add you, you actually need to change your username, which has the 30-day restriction. If you only want to change how your name appears to friends who already have you added, you're changing your display name, which has no restrictions.

Another mistake is trying to change your username too frequently. Snapchat enforces a strict 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you change your username and then when ready try to change it again, the app will tell you the exact date when you'll be able to make another change. There's no way around this restriction — you have to wait the full 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can use most special characters like periods, hyphens, underscores, and spaces in your display name. Emojis may not work in all versions of Snapchat, and some special characters are blocked. If a character doesn't work, Snapchat will show an error message when you try to save. Try using standard punctuation instead.

How often can I change my display name?

You can change your display name as many times as you want, whenever you want. There's no waiting period or limit. This is different from your username, which can only be changed once every 30 days.

Will my friends be notified when I change my display name?

No, Snapchat does not send notifications when you change your display name. Your friends will straightforward see the new name the next time they open the app or look at your profile. There's no announcement or alert about the change.

What if I forgot my username and only remember my display name?

Your username and display name are separate. If you can't remember your username, you can still log into your account using your email address or phone number instead. Once you're logged in, you can see your username in your profile settings under the "Username" field.

Can I change my display name back to what it was before?

Yes, you can change your display name to anything at any time, including a previous name. Go back to settings, tap on the display name field, and type the old name. The change will take effect when ready.