Yes, you can change your TikTok username whenever you want

You can change your TikTok username (also called your handle or @name) directly in the app settings on your phone or through the TikTok website on a computer. The process takes about two minutes. TikTok does not limit how many times you can change it, though there is a short waiting period between changes if you switch back and forth rapidly.

Your username is different from your display name — the display name is what appears above your videos and in your profile, while your username is the @handle people use to find you or tag you in comments. You can change both, but they work differently in the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your profile, tap the three-line menu, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Username" to change your handle in seconds.
  • Your new username must be between 2 and 24 characters, use only letters, numbers, underscores, and periods, and cannot be already taken by another account.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, videos, or messages — people who follow you keep following you even after the change.
  • If you try to change your username too many times in a short period, TikTok will temporarily block the change and ask you to wait before trying again.
  • Your display name (the readable name on your profile) is separate from your username and can be changed without any restrictions.

Step-by-step: changing your username on mobile

Open TikTok and tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right corner of your profile. Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy." Tap "Account." Tap "Username."

You will see your current username in a text field. Delete it and type your new username. As you type, TikTok will show you whether the name is available — a green checkmark means it is free to use, and a red X means someone else has already claimed it. Once you see the green checkmark, tap "Save" or "Confirm." Your username changes when ready.

If you get an error message saying the username is unavailable or invalid, try a different one. Common reasons for rejection are that the name is already taken, contains characters TikTok does not allow (like spaces or special symbols other than underscores and periods), or is too short (fewer than 2 characters) or too long (more than 24 characters).

Changing your username on a computer

Go to TikTok.com and log into your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Settings and privacy" from the dropdown menu. Click "Account" on the left sidebar. Click "Username."

The same rules explore: type your new username, wait for the green checkmark to appear, and click "Save." The change takes effect right away, and you will see your new username on your profile page within seconds.

What happens to your followers and videos when you change your username

Your followers do not unfollow you when you change your username. All your videos, likes, comments, and messages stay exactly where they are. People who have you bookmarked or saved your videos will still see those saves. The only thing that changes is the @handle they use to find you or mention you in comments.

If someone had a link to your old profile (like a link they shared on Instagram or in a text), that link will redirect to your new profile automatically. You do not lose any history or data by changing your username.

Rules for what your new username can be

Your username must be between 2 and 24 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, underscores (_), and periods (.). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, !, or $. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "MyName" and "myname" are treated as the same username.

Your username cannot be the same as any other active TikTok account. If you want a username that is currently taken, you will have to wait until that account is deleted or inactive for a long time — TikTok does not release inactive usernames quickly. Some usernames may also be reserved by TikTok itself for future use or brand protection.

What to do if you change your username too often

If you change your username multiple times in a short period (usually within a few hours), TikTok may temporarily prevent you from changing it again. You will see a message saying something like "Please try again later" or "You are changing your username too frequently." This is a safety feature to prevent spam and account takeovers.

Wait at least a few hours before trying to change your username again. If you keep seeing the message after waiting, try again the next day. This restriction is temporary and will lift on its own — you do not need to contact TikTok support to remove it.

Changing your display name instead of your username

Your display name is the readable name that shows on your profile and above your videos — for example, "Sarah's Cooking Channel" or "The Dog Diaries." This is different from your username (@sarahcooking or @thedogdiaries). You can change your display name as many times as you want with no restrictions.

To change your display name, go to your profile, tap the edit profile button (pencil icon), and change the name field at the top. Display names can include spaces, emojis, and special characters, so they are much more flexible than usernames. Many creators use a readable display name and a straightforward username, which gives followers two ways to find and remember them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my followers see that I changed my username?

Your followers will not get a notification that you changed your username. They will only notice if they look at your profile or try to search for your old @handle. Since the old link redirects to your new profile, most followers will not even realize the change happened.

Can I change my username back to one I used before?

Yes, you can reuse an old username if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone else took your old username, you will have to wait until they change it or their account is deleted before you can use it again. TikTok does not hold old usernames for previous owners.

What if the username I want is taken?

You will have to choose a different username. Try adding numbers, underscores, or periods to your preferred name — for example, "sarah_cooking" or "sarahcooking2." You can also check if the account holding that username is active; if it has not posted in years, you might try messaging the owner to ask if they will change it.

Does changing my username affect my TikTok creator fund or brand deals?

Changing your username does not affect your creator fund earnings or existing brand partnerships. Your account history, follower count, and video performance all stay the same. Brands and TikTok's system track your account by your account ID, not your username, so the change is invisible to them.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your new username appears on your profile and in search results within seconds. However, it may take a few minutes to show up in all places across the app — for example, in notifications or in other people's follower lists. If you do not see it updated somewhere after 10 minutes, try closing and reopening the app.