Change Your Display Name in the TikTok App

You can change the name that appears on your TikTok profile in about two minutes using the app itself. This is the name your followers see when they visit your profile or watch your videos — it is separate from your username (the handle that starts with @). Open TikTok, tap the profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the three horizontal lines to open your menu. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Name."

Delete your current name and type the new one. TikTok allows up to 30 characters, including spaces and most punctuation. Tap "Save" when you are done. The change takes effect when ready across the app — your followers will see the new name the next time they refresh your profile or their feed.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (what followers see) is different from your username (@handle), and you can change the display name anytime without losing your account or followers.
  • Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Name to change your display name in the TikTok app.
  • TikTok allows up to 30 characters for your display name, including spaces and punctuation.
  • The change appears when ready on your profile and in your followers' feeds.
  • You cannot change your username (@handle) as often as your display name — TikTok limits username changes to once every 30 days.

Change Your Username (Your @ Handle)

Your username is the @handle people use to find and mention you. Unlike your display name, you cannot change it whenever you want. TikTok allows one username change every 30 days. If you have never changed your username before, you have one free change available.

To change your username, open TikTok and go to Settings and privacy > Account > Username. Tap "Edit username" and type your new handle. Usernames must be between 2 and 24 characters, can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot contain spaces. After you save, the change takes effect when ready, but you cannot change it again for 30 days.

What Happens to Your Old Name and Username

When you change your display name, your old name disappears completely. No one can search for you by your old display name because it was never a searchable identifier — only your username (@handle) is searchable. Your followers stay with you, your videos stay on your account, and your follower count does not change.

When you change your username, your old @handle becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period. Any links to your old username will stop working. If you have shared your old @handle in other places online, people who click those links will see a "user not found" message. For this reason, tell your followers about the change before you make it, or update your links in your other social media profiles and website.

Changing Your Name on Desktop or Web

You can also change your display name and username through the TikTok website on a computer. Log in to your account at tiktok.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Settings and privacy." Click "Account," then "Name" to change your display name or "Username" to change your @handle. The process is identical to the app version, and the changes sync across all devices within seconds.

If you use TikTok on both mobile and desktop, you do not need to make the change twice. Update it on whichever device is most convenient, and it will appear on all your other devices automatically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is confusing your display name with your username. People often think they have changed their @handle when they have only changed their display name, then are surprised they cannot change it again for 30 days. Remember: your display name is what appears above your videos and on your profile card. Your username is the @handle in your bio and the one people use to mention you.

Another mistake is changing your username without telling your followers first. If you have shared your old @handle on YouTube, Instagram, your website, or anywhere else, those links will break. Before you change your username, update all those links or post a video telling people your new handle. You can change your display name as many times as you want, so if you just want a quick visual change without breaking links, change your display name instead.

If You Cannot Change Your Name

If the "Edit" button is grayed out or you see an error message, the most likely reason is that you have already changed your username within the last 30 days. TikTok enforces a strict 30-day waiting period between username changes. Check your Settings and privacy > Account > Username page — it will show you the date you can change it again.

If you are trying to change your display name and it will not save, try closing the app completely and opening it again. If the problem persists, log out and log back in. Rarely, a temporary glitch prevents the change from saving. If you still cannot change your name after trying these steps, you can contact TikTok support through the app by going to Settings and privacy > Help > Report a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. If you changed your display name, you can change it back anytime — there is no limit on how often you can change your display name. If you changed your username and want to go back to your old @handle, you can do so, but only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. You still have to wait 30 days between username changes.

Will my followers see that I changed my name?

Your followers will see your new name the next time they refresh your profile or their feed, but TikTok does not send a notification about the change. If you want people to know, you can post a video or update your bio to mention it.

Does changing my name affect my videos or watch history?

No. All your videos stay on your account with the same view counts and likes. Your watch history and saved videos do not change. The only thing that changes is the name displayed next to your content.

What if my username is taken by someone else?

If the username you want is already in use, you cannot have it. You will need to choose a different one. TikTok does not have a waitlist for usernames, so if someone else is using it, you cannot reserve it or request it back.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my name?

Your display name can include most punctuation and special characters, but not emojis. Your username (@handle) can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores — no spaces, special characters, or emojis allowed.