Change your Instagram username from your phone or computer

You can change your Instagram username by going to your profile, tapping or clicking "Edit profile," and typing a new username in the username field. Instagram lets you change it as often as you want, though you can only change it once every 14 days if you keep switching back to a previous username. The change takes effect when ready across all your followers' feeds and your profile page.

Your username is different from your display name — the display name is what appears at the top of your profile in larger text, and you can change that as many times as you want without any waiting period. Your username is the handle that comes after the @ symbol and is what people use to tag you or search for you directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your profile, tap "Edit profile," and change the text in the username field to your new handle.
  • Instagram checks when ready whether your new username is already taken, so you will see an error message if someone else has it.
  • If you want to switch back to a username you used before, you must wait 14 days after changing away from it.
  • Your username change is live when ready — all your posts, tags, and profile links update at once.
  • You can change your display name (the large text at the top of your profile) as many times as you want with no waiting period.

Steps to change your username on iPhone or Android

Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon in the bottom right corner. Tap "Edit profile" — on iPhone it appears near the top of your profile, and on Android it is the button with three horizontal lines next to your name. Scroll down to the "Username" field, which shows your current handle.

Tap the username field to select it, delete your current username, and type your new one. Instagram will show you a green checkmark if the username is available or a red X if someone else already has it. Once you see the green checkmark, tap "Done" or the back arrow to save your change. The new username is active when ready.

Steps to change your username on a computer

Go to instagram.com and log in if you are not already signed in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Profile" from the dropdown menu. Click the "Edit profile" button, which appears below your profile photo and name.

Find the "Username" field in the form and click it to select the text. Delete your current username and type your new one. Instagram will show you whether the name is available as you type. Once you have entered a username with a green checkmark, scroll down and click "Submit" to save the change.

What happens if your chosen username is taken

If the username you want is already in use, Instagram shows a red X next to the field and will not let you save the change. You will need to choose a different username. Try adding numbers, periods, or underscores to your preferred name — for example, if "sarah.jones" is taken, you could try "sarah.jones23" or "sarah_jones_".

You cannot request that Instagram release a username from an inactive account or transfer one from another user. If a username you want belongs to an inactive account, your only option is to choose something different.

The 14-day rule for returning to old usernames

If you change your username and then want to switch back to a username you used before, Instagram requires you to wait 14 days after you changed away from it. This means if you had the username "alex.photo" and changed it to "alex.designs" today, you cannot go back to "alex.photo" until 14 days have passed. During that waiting period, someone else could claim "alex.photo" if they want it.

This rule only applies to usernames you have previously used on your account. You can change to a completely new username at any time without waiting, as long as no one else has it.

Difference between username and display name

Your username is the handle that appears after the @ symbol — it is what people type to search for you or tag you in posts and comments. Your display name is the larger text that appears at the top of your profile, above your bio. You can have spaces, capital letters, and special characters in your display name, but usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.

You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period. To change it, go to "Edit profile" and look for the "Name" field at the top of the form — this is separate from the "Username" field. Many people use their display name for their real name or business name and keep their username as a shorter handle.

What to know before you change your username

Any links to your old profile will stop working once you change your username. If you have shared your Instagram link on a website, in an email signature, or anywhere else, you will need to update those links to your new username. Direct messages and tags in old posts will still work and will point to your new username automatically.

Your followers will not be notified that you changed your username, but they will see the new name the next time they visit your profile. If you have a business account or creator account, changing your username might affect any branded links or promotional materials that include your old handle, so plan ahead if you are running active campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on Instagram if I have a business account?

Yes, the process is exactly the same for business and creator accounts as it is for personal accounts. Go to "Edit profile" and change the username field. Business accounts follow the same 14-day rule if you want to return to a previous username.

What characters can I use in my Instagram username?

Instagram usernames can only contain letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or &. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "Sarah.Jones" and "sarah.jones" are treated as the same username.

If I change my username, will my followers be able to find me?

Yes. Your followers will still be following you after you change your username, and they will see your new handle on your profile. Anyone who has you saved or bookmarked will still have access to your profile. The only links that break are direct URLs shared outside Instagram.

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

Your new username is active when ready on your profile and in search results. It may take a few minutes to update in all places across the app, such as in old tagged photos or comment threads, but the change is live right away on your profile page.

Can I use a username that someone else had before if they deleted their account?

Yes, once an account is deleted, the username becomes available for anyone to claim. However, Instagram may hold the username for a short period after deletion. If you see a username you want that belonged to a deleted account, try claiming it — if it is not yet available, try again in a few days.