What you can change on your Twitter account

You can change your Twitter username (the handle that starts with @), your email address, your display name, your password, and your phone number. You can also change your profile picture, header image, bio, and location. Twitter lets you change your username once every 30 days, so plan ahead if you want to switch to something specific.

Some changes take effect when ready—like your display name or bio. Others, like your email address, require you to confirm the change through a link Twitter sends you. Your username change is when ready, but if someone else claims your old handle within a few minutes, you cannot get it back.

You cannot change the account creation date, your user ID number (which stays the same even if your username changes), or your follower count. You also cannot merge two accounts or transfer followers from one account to another.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready but cannot be undone if someone else takes your old handle.
  • Email and phone number changes require you to confirm through a link or code Twitter sends you before the change is complete.
  • Your display name, bio, profile picture, and header image can be changed anytime with no waiting period.
  • Your user ID number never changes, even if your username does, so old links to your profile will still work.

How to change your username on Twitter

Go to your profile by tapping your profile picture in the top left (on mobile) or clicking your profile picture in the top right (on desktop). Tap or click "Edit profile." Find the "Username" field and enter your new handle. Twitter will tell you if the name is already taken or contains characters that are not allowed.

Usernames can be 1 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or most special characters. Once you enter a name you want, tap or click "Save" to confirm. The change happens right away, and your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim.

If you change your mind within a few minutes, you can change it back to your old username as long as no one else has claimed it. After 30 days, you can change your username again.

How to change your email address

Open your account settings by clicking the three dots (or "More") in the left menu on desktop, or tapping your profile picture and selecting "Settings and privacy" on mobile. Go to "Account" and then "Email address." Enter your new email and click "Change email."

Twitter will send a confirmation link to your new email address. You must click that link within a set time (usually 24 hours) to complete the change. If you do not confirm, your email stays the same. Check your spam folder if you do not see the confirmation email.

You will need access to your new email account to finish this step. If you no longer have access to the email you are trying to change from, you may need to contact Twitter support.

How to change your password

Go to "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Password." Enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Click "Change password" to save the change.

Your new password takes effect when ready. You will be logged out of all other sessions on other devices, so you will need to log back in on your phone, tablet, or other computers if you use Twitter on them. Make sure your new password is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

How to change your phone number

Go to "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Phone number." Enter your new phone number and click "Next." Twitter will send a confirmation code to that phone number via text message. Enter the code in the box Twitter provides and click "Confirm."

If you do not receive the code, wait a few minutes and request a new one. If you still do not get it, make sure the phone number is correct and that your phone can receive text messages. Some phone plans or carriers may block messages from short codes.

How to change your display name and profile information

Go to "Edit profile" from your profile page. Your display name is the large text at the top of your profile (different from your username). You can change it to anything you want, including spaces, emojis, and special characters. There is no waiting period between display name changes.

In the same screen, you can update your bio (up to 160 characters), add a location, add a website link, and change your profile picture and header image. All of these changes take effect as soon as you click "Save." You can change them as often as you want.

What happens to your old username and links

When you change your username, your old handle becomes available for anyone else to claim. If someone takes it, you cannot get it back. Your profile links and mentions from before the change will still work—Twitter automatically redirects old links to your new username.

However, if someone else claims your old username, new mentions using that old handle will go to them instead of you. For this reason, many people keep their old usernames or change to a new one and ask followers to update their links.

Your user ID number (a long string of digits) never changes, which is why the redirect works. Behind the scenes, Twitter knows who you are by your ID, not by your username.

When to contact Twitter support

Contact Twitter support if you cannot log in to your account, if you did not receive a confirmation email or text code, or if you believe your account has been hacked. You can report a problem through the "Help Center" in your settings or by visiting Twitter's support website.

Twitter support can help you regain access to your account if you have forgotten your password or no longer have access to your email or phone number. Response times vary, and support may ask you to verify your identity before making changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Twitter enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you change your username, you must wait 30 days before changing it again. This rule applies even if you change back to a previous username.

What happens if I change my username and someone takes my old one?

Your old username becomes available when ready and anyone can claim it. If someone does, you cannot get it back. Your profile links still work because Twitter redirects based on your user ID, but new mentions using your old handle will go to the person who claimed it.

Do I need to confirm my email change right away?

Yes. Twitter sends a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click it to complete the change. The link usually expires after 24 hours. If you do not confirm, your email address stays the same.

Can I change my username without changing my email?

Yes. Your username and email are separate. You can change one without changing the other. Your email is what you use to log in, while your username is your public handle.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in?

Go to the Twitter login page and click "Forgot password?" Enter the email or phone number associated with your account. Twitter will send you a link or code to reset your password. If you do not have access to that email or phone number, contact Twitter support for help.