You can change your Instagram username once every 14 days
Instagram lets you change the username on your account through the app or website. The process takes about two minutes. You can change it as often as you want, but Instagram enforces a 14-day waiting period between changes — if you change your username today, you cannot change it again for 14 days.
When you change your username, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim when ready. If you want to keep that name, you need to change it back before someone else takes it. Your profile URL, direct message link, and tagged posts all update to your new username automatically.
People who follow you will still see your account — the change does not affect your followers or following list. However, any links to your old username (in bios, websites, or old posts) will no longer work.
Key Takeaways
- Change your username in Settings > Account > Username on the app, or through your profile settings on the web version.
- Instagram requires 14 days between username changes, so plan ahead if you want to switch back.
- Your old username becomes available for others to claim as soon as you change it, so act quickly if you want to reclaim it later.
- All your followers stay with you, but any external links to your old username will break.
- Business and creator accounts can change usernames the same way as regular accounts.
How to change your username on the Instagram app
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Settings and privacy. Tap Account, then tap Username.
Type your new username in the text field. Instagram will tell you when ready whether the name is available or already taken. If it is available, tap Change username to confirm. The change takes effect right away.
If the username you want is taken, you will see a message saying it is unavailable. You can try a variation — adding numbers, underscores, or periods often makes a name available. Instagram suggests alternatives if you want them.
How to change your username on the Instagram website
Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile icon in the top right and select Settings. Click Edit profile on the left side.
Find the Username field and type your new name. Click Submit to save the change. Like the app, Instagram shows you when ready whether the name is taken.
What to know about the 14-day waiting period
After you change your username, you must wait 14 days before changing it again. This timer starts the moment you confirm the change. If you change your username on a Monday, you cannot change it again until the following Monday.
The 14-day rule applies to everyone — there is no way to bypass it or change it faster. If you change your username by mistake, you will have to wait the full 14 days before you can change it back. Plan your username changes carefully.
The timer resets each time you make a change. If you change your username twice in the same month, each change starts its own 14-day countdown.
What happens to your old username
The moment you change your username, your old one becomes available for anyone else to register. If you want to keep that username, you need to change back to it before someone else claims it. There is no grace period or reservation — it is first come, first served.
If someone else takes your old username and you want it back, you cannot reclaim it unless that person changes their username or deletes their account. Instagram does not reserve old usernames for previous owners.
This is why many people create a secondary account or reserve their old username on a backup profile before switching to a new one. If you think you might want your old username back, change to it again within 14 days rather than waiting.
How links and mentions change when you switch usernames
Any link that points to your old username will break. If your website bio said instagram.com/oldname, that link will no longer work after you change your username. You will need to update those links manually to point to your new username.
Posts where people tagged your old username will not automatically update. If someone tagged @oldname in a comment, that tag will stay as @oldname even after you change your username. The tag will no longer link to your account.
Direct message links that used your old username will also break. If you shared a DM link with someone using your old username, they will not be able to use it after you change.
Changing your username on a business or creator account
Business and creator accounts follow the same username change process as regular accounts. You go to Settings > Account > Username and type your new name, just like any other profile.
The 14-day waiting period applies to business and creator accounts too. If you manage multiple accounts, each one has its own 14-day timer — changing the username on one account does not affect the timer on another.
If your account is linked to a Facebook Page, changing your Instagram username does not change your Facebook Page name. You would need to update your Facebook Page separately if you want the names to match.
What you cannot change about your account
Your username is different from your display name. Your display name is the text that appears above your username on your profile — you can change that anytime without waiting 14 days. Your username is the @handle that people use to tag you and find your profile.
You cannot change your username to something that violates Instagram's community guidelines. Usernames with hate speech, sexual content, or impersonation of real people or brands will be rejected. Instagram will tell you if your chosen username breaks these rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Instagram username back to my old one?
Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it. You must wait 14 days between changes, so if you change your username by mistake, you will have to wait before switching back. Your old username becomes available when ready, so if you want to keep it, change back within 14 days before someone else takes it.
What happens to my followers when I change my username?
Your followers stay with you. Changing your username does not unfollow anyone or remove your followers. People who follow you will still see your posts and stories — the change is invisible to them except for the new username on your profile.
Do I need to update my website or bio when I change my username?
Yes. Any link to your old Instagram username will break. If your website or other social media bios link to instagram.com/oldname, you need to change those links to your new username. Instagram does not automatically update external links.
Can I reserve a username before I change to it?
No. You can only hold one username per account at a time. If you want to keep your current username while testing a new one, you would need to create a second account. Once you change your username, the old one is when ready available for others.
Why does Instagram make me wait 14 days between username changes?
Instagram uses the 14-day waiting period to prevent spam and account takeovers. The delay makes it harder for someone to rapidly change usernames to impersonate others or evade bans. It also gives you time to realize if you made a mistake and change back before someone claims your old username.