Yes, you can change your Twitter handle anytime
You can change your Twitter handle (the @username that appears in your profile) as many times as you want, and Twitter does not charge you or require you to wait between changes. The process takes about two minutes and happens in your account settings. Your old handle becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so if you want to keep using it, you should not let it go.
Changing your handle does not affect your followers, your tweets, your direct messages, or anything else on your account. People who follow you will still follow you under your new handle. However, any links that pointed to your old @username will no longer work, and anyone trying to mention you by your old handle will not reach you.
Key Takeaways
- You change your Twitter handle in Settings and Privacy under the Account tab, in a field labeled "Username."
- Your old handle becomes available for anyone else to claim as soon as you change it, so choose your new one before you make the switch if you want to keep the old one.
- All your followers, tweets, and messages stay with your account—only the @username changes.
- Links to your old @username will break after you change it, so tell people who link to you that your handle has changed.
- You cannot use a handle that is already taken, and Twitter enforces rules against impersonation if you try to claim a handle that looks like a famous person's.
Step-by-step: changing your handle on desktop
Open Twitter in a web browser and log in to your account. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner (or look for "More" if you are on an older version of the site). From the menu that appears, select "Settings and privacy."
On the Settings and Privacy page, click the "Account" tab on the left side. Scroll down until you see a field labeled "Username." Click on that field and type your new handle. Twitter will show you whether the name is available as you type—if it is taken, you will see a red X; if it is free, you will see a green checkmark. Once you have entered a handle that is available, click "Save" at the bottom of the page. Your handle changes when ready.
Step-by-step: changing your handle on mobile
Open the Twitter app and tap the three-line menu icon in the top left corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy," then tap "Account." Tap "Username" and type your new handle. Twitter will show you in real time whether it is available. Once you have chosen an available name, tap "Save" and your handle updates right away.
If you are using an iPhone, the process is identical. If you are using Android, the menu layout may be slightly different depending on your version of the app, but the Account settings and Username field are in the same place.
What happens to your old handle
Your old Twitter handle becomes available for anyone else to claim the moment you change it. This means if you have built a reputation under your old handle and want to keep it, you should have your new handle ready before you make the change. You cannot reserve your old handle or put it on hold.
If you are worried that someone might impersonate you by taking your old handle, you have a few options. You could create a second account under your old handle and use it as a redirect (a straightforward bio that says "I moved to @yournewhandle"). You could also report any account that takes your old handle and uses it to impersonate you, though Twitter's response depends on whether the account is actually deceiving people about who it is.
Rules for choosing a new handle
Twitter handles can be 1 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or most special characters. Handles are not case-sensitive, so @JohnSmith and @johnsmith are treated as the same handle.
You cannot use a handle that is already taken by another account. You also cannot use a handle that impersonates a real person, public figure, or brand in a way that is likely to deceive people. If you try to claim a handle that looks like it belongs to a celebrity or major brand, Twitter may suspend your account or force you to change it. This rule is enforced more strictly for accounts that have followers or tweets, so a brand-new account trying to claim @elonmusk will be caught quickly.
What does not change when you change your handle
Your follower count stays the same. Everyone who followed you under your old handle still follows you under your new one. Your tweets do not disappear or get deleted. Your direct messages remain in your inbox. Your likes, retweets, and replies all stay attached to your account. Your profile picture, bio, and header image do not change unless you change them yourself.
The only thing that breaks is the URL. If someone bookmarked your old profile page (twitter.com/@youroldhandle), that link will no longer work. If you posted a link to your profile on another website, that link will be dead. You should update any links you control, and you can let people know about your new handle by posting a tweet or updating your bio.
If you want to keep your old handle
If you are changing your handle but want to prevent someone else from claiming your old one, you can create a second account and use that old handle as a redirect account. Set the bio to something like "This account has moved to @yournewhandle" and do not post anything else. This way, anyone who finds your old handle will see where you went.
You can also ask Twitter Support to help if your old handle is being impersonated. If someone takes your old handle and uses it to pretend to be you, you can report the account for impersonation. Twitter takes these reports seriously, especially if the impersonating account is deceiving people or causing harm. However, if the account is straightforward using your old handle without trying to deceive anyone, Twitter may not take action.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not change your handle without thinking about where you have shared your old one. If your old handle is in your email signature, on your website, in your resume, or linked from other social media accounts, those links will break. Update them before or right after you change your handle.
Do not assume you can change your handle back later if you do not like the new one. You can change it back, but only if no one else has claimed your old handle in the meantime. If someone takes it while you are using a different handle, you will have to choose something else.
Do not try to impersonate someone famous or well-known. Twitter's automated systems and human reviewers will catch this, and you risk having your account suspended. This is especially true if you have a significant number of followers or if your account looks like it is trying to deceive people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my followers see that I changed my handle?
Your followers will not receive a notification that you changed your handle. However, if they visit your profile, they will see your new @username. If they try to mention you using your old handle, the mention will not work and you will not see it.
Can I change my handle back to my old one if someone else takes it?
No. Once you change your handle, your old one becomes available to anyone. If someone claims it before you change back, you cannot use it again unless that person gives it up. You would have to choose a different handle.
Does changing my handle affect my verification badge?
No. If your account is verified (has a blue checkmark), the verification stays with your account when you change your handle. The checkmark does not disappear.
How long does it take for my new handle to show up everywhere?
Your new handle shows up when ready on your profile and in your tweets. However, it may take a few minutes for Twitter's search function to index your new handle, so searching for your old handle will not find you right away.
Can I use special characters or spaces in my handle?
No. Twitter handles can only use letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or other special characters. Handles are also limited to 15 characters maximum.