You can change your Twitter name whenever you want, and it takes about 30 seconds

Your Twitter name — the handle that starts with @ — can be changed from your account settings at any time. Twitter does not limit how often you change it, and you will not lose your followers, tweets, or verification status when you do. The old name becomes available for someone else to claim within a few minutes, but your account history stays attached to your new name.

The process is the same whether you use Twitter on the web, iPhone, or Android. You go to your settings, find the username field, type the new name you want, and save. If the name is already taken, Twitter will tell you when ready and you can try another one.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your Twitter handle from Settings > Account > Username on any device, and the change takes effect right away.
  • Your followers, tweets, and verification badge stay with your account when you change your name — nothing is lost.
  • The old handle becomes available for others to claim within minutes, so if you want to keep it, you will need a second account.
  • Twitter usernames must be between 4 and 15 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot start with a number.
  • If someone else claims your old handle before you can reclaim it, Twitter does not force them to give it back.

How to change your username on the web

On a computer, log into your Twitter account and click the three-dot menu in the top left corner. Select Settings and privacy, then click Account. You will see a field labeled Username with your current handle in it.

Click in that field, delete your old name, and type the new one. Twitter will show you a green checkmark if the name is available or a red X if it is taken. Once you see the checkmark, click Save at the bottom of the page. Your new username is live when ready.

How to change your username on iPhone or Android

Open the Twitter app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Tap Settings and privacy, then Account. Scroll down to Username and tap it.

Delete your current name and type the new one. The app will show you whether it is available. If it is, tap Save. The change happens right away, and you will see your new handle on your profile.

What happens to your old Twitter handle

When you change your name, your old handle does not disappear — it becomes available for anyone else to register. This usually happens within a few minutes. If you want to keep your old handle, you will need to create a second Twitter account and claim it there before someone else does.

If someone else takes your old handle and you later want it back, Twitter does not have a process to reclaim it. The person who registered it would have to give it up voluntarily. For this reason, many people create a second account specifically to hold onto a previous handle they might want to use again.

Rules for Twitter usernames

Twitter usernames must follow specific rules. Your handle must be between 4 and 15 characters long. You can use letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_), but you cannot use spaces or most special characters. Your username cannot start with a number.

Twitter does not allow you to register a handle that is already in use, even if the account is inactive or suspended. If the name you want is taken, you will need to choose something different. You can add numbers or underscores to make a variation — for example, @username_2 or @username_official.

What stays the same when you change your name

Your followers do not disappear when you change your handle. Everyone who followed you before the change will still follow you after, and they will see your new name on their feeds. Your tweets, likes, and retweets all stay attached to your account and show your new username.

If you have a verification badge (the blue checkmark), it stays with your account. Your direct messages, saved tweets, and muted accounts all remain exactly as they were. The only thing that changes is the handle itself — everything else about your account is preserved.

Why you might want to change your Twitter name

People change their Twitter handles for many reasons. You might want a shorter or simpler name, or you might have started a business and want a handle that reflects it. Some people change their name to match a username they use on other platforms, or to distance themselves from an old online identity.

You can also change your name without losing your account history, which is different from deleting your account and starting over. If you just want a fresh start with a new name but want to keep your followers and tweets, changing your handle is the way to do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Twitter name back to my old one?

Yes, if no one else has claimed it. Go back to Settings > Account > Username and type your old handle. If it is still available, you can use it again. If someone else registered it, you cannot reclaim it unless they give it up.

Will my followers see my old tweets after I change my name?

Yes. All your old tweets stay on your profile and show your new username. When people click on your profile, they will see your entire history under your new handle. Your followers will not lose access to anything.

How long does it take for my old handle to become available?

Usually a few minutes. Once you change your name, Twitter releases your old handle into the pool of available usernames. Someone else can register it almost when ready, so if you want to keep it, claim it on a second account right away.

Can I change my Twitter name if my account is suspended?

No. You cannot access your account settings if your account is suspended. You would need to appeal the suspension first. If your account is locked (a temporary security measure), you can usually still change your settings once you unlock it.

Does changing my name affect my Twitter verification?

No. Your blue checkmark stays with your account no matter how many times you change your handle. The verification is tied to your account, not to your username.