What You Can Change on Twitter and Where to Find It

Twitter lets you change your username, email address, password, phone number, display name, bio, profile picture, and header image. You can also change your privacy settings, notification preferences, and what data Twitter collects about you. Most changes happen in your account settings, which you reach by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner, then selecting "Settings and privacy" and "Settings and safety."

Some changes take effect when ready — like your display name or bio. Others, like your email address or password, require you to confirm the change through an email or text message before it becomes active. If you change your username, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after 30 days.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username, email, and password are changed through Settings and safety, and email or password changes require confirmation before they take effect.
  • Your display name, bio, location, and website link can be edited on your profile page and show up to other users right away.
  • Profile picture and header image changes are when ready, but Twitter keeps your old images in case you want to revert.
  • Privacy settings control who can message you, see your location, and find your account by email or phone number.
  • You can read all your data or deactivate your account from Settings and safety if you want to leave Twitter.

Changing Your Username and Display Name

Your username is the handle that starts with @ — the one people use to mention you or search for you. Your display name is what appears above your username on your profile and in your tweets. They are different things, and you change them in different places.

To change your display name, go to your profile, click "Edit profile," and type a new name in the display name field. This change is when ready and does not require confirmation. To change your username, go to Settings and safety, click "Account," then "Username," and type a new one. Twitter will tell you if the username is taken. Once you confirm the change, your old username becomes available for anyone to claim after 30 days, so choose carefully if you have built an audience under that name.

Updating Your Email Address and Password

To change your email address, go to Settings and safety, click "Account," then "Email address." Type your new email and click "Change." Twitter sends a confirmation link to your new email address. You must click that link within a certain time to complete the change. Until you do, your old email remains active on your account.

To change your password, go to Settings and safety, click "Account," then "Password." Twitter asks you to enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Your new password takes effect when ready. If you forget your password, you can reset it by clicking "Forgot password?" on the login screen — Twitter sends a reset link to your email address.

Changing Your Profile Picture, Header, Bio, and Location

Click "Edit profile" on your profile page to change your display picture, header image, bio, location, and website link. Your profile picture and header appear at the top of your profile. Your bio is the text that describes who you are — it can be up to 160 characters. Your location and website link appear below your bio.

All of these changes are when ready and visible to other users right away. If you upload a new profile picture, Twitter keeps your previous pictures, and you can switch back to an old one by clicking "Edit profile" again and selecting from your photo history. The same applies to your header image.

Adjusting Your Privacy and Safety Settings

Go to Settings and safety, then click "Privacy and safety" to control who can interact with you and what information Twitter collects. You can make your account private so that only people you approve can follow you and see your tweets. You can also turn off the ability for people to find your account using your email address or phone number, and you can prevent others from tagging you in photos.

Under "Muting and blocking," you can mute words, accounts, or notifications so you do not see tweets containing them. You can block specific accounts so they cannot follow you, see your tweets, or message you. Under "Direct messages," you can choose whether anyone can message you or only people you follow. These settings let you control your experience without deleting your account.

Changing Notification Preferences

Go to Settings and safety, then click "Notifications" to decide what kinds of alerts you receive and how you receive them. You can turn off notifications for likes, retweets, replies, and follows. You can also choose whether to get notifications by push notification, email, or SMS, depending on what you have set up on your account.

If you have notifications turned on but want to silence them temporarily, you can mute your account for a set time without changing your settings. This is useful if you are taking a break from Twitter but do not want to deactivate your account.

Downloading Your Data or Deactivating Your Account

If you want to leave Twitter or back up your information, go to Settings and safety, click "Account," then "read your data." Twitter prepares a file containing your tweets, direct messages, profile information, and other data. You can read this file and keep it for your records.

To deactivate your account, go to Settings and safety, click "Account," then "Deactivate your account." Twitter warns you that deactivation is permanent after 30 days — during those 30 days, you can log back in to cancel the deactivation. After 30 days, your account, tweets, and all associated data are deleted and cannot be recovered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Not if someone else has claimed it. After you change your username, the old one becomes available for anyone to take after 30 days. If you want to keep your old username, you can change back to it when ready, before the 30-day window closes.

What happens to my tweets if I change my username?

Your tweets stay on your account and remain visible to others. The tweets do not disappear or change. People who have links to your old username will see an error page, but your profile and tweets are still there under your new username.

Do I need to confirm my new email address right away?

Yes. Twitter sends a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click it within a set time to complete the change. If you do not confirm, your old email stays active. Check your spam folder if you do not see the confirmation email.

Can I make my account private after I have already posted tweets?

Yes. Go to Settings and safety, click "Privacy and safety," and toggle "Protect your posts" on. Your existing tweets become visible only to people you approve. New followers must request to follow you, and you decide whether to accept.

What happens during the 30-day deactivation window?

Your account is hidden from public view, but you can still log in. If you log in during those 30 days, the deactivation is cancelled and your account returns to normal. After 30 days pass without you logging in, your account and all data are permanently deleted.