You can change your TikTok username whenever you want, but there are limits on how often

TikTok lets you change your username (the handle that starts with @) as many times as you want, but you can only change it once every 30 days. The change takes effect when ready across your profile, your videos, and anywhere else your name appears on the platform. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it.

The process itself takes less than a minute and happens entirely in the TikTok app or website. You do not need to contact TikTok support or wait for approval — the change is when ready. However, there are a few things that stay the same: your follower count, your videos, your messages, and your account history all remain attached to your account under the new name.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your TikTok username once every 30 days through your account settings, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use as soon as you change it, so choose carefully if you want to keep it.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, videos, messages, or any content you have posted.
  • If someone else claims your old username before you change back, you cannot get it back — usernames are first-come, first-served.

How to change your username on the TikTok app

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 page. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Account. Look for the field that shows your current username and tap it to edit.

Type your new username in the field. TikTok will tell you right away if the name is already taken or if it breaks TikTok's rules (usernames cannot contain certain characters or be longer than 24 characters). Once you enter a username that is available, tap Save or Confirm. The change happens when ready.

How to change your username on the TikTok website

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 in the left sidebar. Find the username field and click the edit icon next to it (usually a pencil).

Type your new username and check that it is available. Click Save when you are ready. The change takes effect when ready, and you will see your new username reflected across your profile and all your videos.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, your old one is released back into the pool of available usernames. Anyone else on TikTok can claim it when ready — there is no grace period or way to reserve it. If you think you might want to go back to your old username later, you need to change back within 30 days (since you can only change once per month).

If you wait longer than 30 days, or if someone else claims your old username in the meantime, you cannot get it back. TikTok does not have a system to recover old usernames or to prevent others from using them. This is why it is worth thinking through your new username before you make the change.

Things that do not change when you update your username

Your follower count stays exactly the same. All the videos you posted under your old username remain on your account and are still viewable by others. Your direct messages and conversations are not affected. Your account history, likes, comments, and any creator fund earnings all stay attached to your account.

People who follow you will still see your content in their feed, and they will see your new username the next time they visit your profile. If you have shared links to your old profile with others, those links will redirect to your new username automatically.

Reasons you might not be able to change your username

If TikTok tells you that you cannot change your username, the most common reason is that you have already changed it within the last 30 days. You will need to wait until the 30-day window has passed. The app will usually show you when you are may be able to access to change again.

The username you are trying to use might already be taken, contain characters that TikTok does not allow, or be longer than 24 characters. Usernames can only include letters, numbers, underscores, and periods. If you are still unable to change your username after checking these things, your account may have a restriction — this sometimes happens if TikTok has flagged your account for violating community guidelines.

What to do if you want to keep your old username

If you are not sure about changing your username permanently, you have a few options. You can create a second account with a new username and keep your main account as is. You can also change your username, and if you decide within 30 days that you want your old one back, you can change again — but only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime.

Another option is to change your display name instead of your username. Your display name is what appears at the top of your profile and is separate from your @username. You can change your display name as often as you want with no restrictions. Many creators use their display name for branding and keep their username stable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old TikTok username back if someone else took it?

No. Once you change your username, it becomes available to anyone, and TikTok does not have a system to recover old usernames or remove them from other accounts. If someone else claims it, it is gone permanently. This is why you should only change your username if you are sure about the new one.

Do my followers see my old username or my new one?

Your followers will see your new username. When they visit your profile or see your content in their feed, your new username appears. Old links to your profile will redirect to your new username automatically, so followers can still find you.

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

The change is when ready on your profile and in your account settings. It may take a few minutes to show up in search results or in other places across the app, but this is usually very fast. Your videos and comments will show your new username right away.

Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. TikTok enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. You can only change it once per month. If you try to change it again before 30 days have passed, the app will tell you when you are may be able to access to change next.

Is there a difference between my username and my display name?

Yes. Your username is your @handle and is used for tagging and searching. Your display name is what appears at the top of your profile and can be changed as often as you want. Many creators use a professional display name and keep a stable username for consistency.