What You Can Change on Twitter and How

Twitter lets you change several things about how you appear to other users: your display name (the name that shows under your profile picture), your username (the @handle), your profile photo, your bio, and your header image. You can also change your email address, password, and privacy settings. Most of these changes take effect when ready, though your username change may take a few minutes to show across the platform.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using Twitter on a phone or a computer, but the settings are in the same place: your account settings menu. You don't need to verify anything or wait for approval—you can make these changes yourself right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name and profile photo change when ready, but your username (@handle) may take a few minutes to update across Twitter.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim.
  • To change your email or password, Twitter will send you a confirmation link to verify the change is really you.
  • All changes are made through the Settings and Privacy menu in your account, accessible from your profile picture in the top right corner.

How to Change Your Display Name

Your display name is what appears above your username on your profile and in replies. To change it, tap or click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings and Privacy. Then go to Account and choose Account Information. You'll see a field labeled Name—click or tap it and type your new name. Twitter allows up to 50 characters.

Once you type your new name, the change saves automatically. You don't need to click a save button. The new name appears on your profile and in your replies within seconds. You can change your display name as many times as you want, and there's no waiting period between changes.

How to Change Your Username (@Handle)

Your username is the @handle that appears in your profile URL and in mentions. To change it, go to Settings and Privacy > Account > Account Information and look for the Username field. Click or tap it and type your new username. Twitter usernames can be 4 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores—but not spaces or most special characters.

After you change your username, your old one becomes available for anyone else to claim when ready. If you change your mind within a few minutes, you may be able to claim it back, but there's no may provide. Twitter limits you to one username change every 30 days, so choose carefully. The new username may take a few minutes to show up everywhere on the platform, but your profile will work under the new handle right away.

How to Change Your Profile Photo and Header Image

To change your profile photo, go to your profile page and click or tap the camera icon that appears over your current photo. Select Upload Photo from your device. Twitter accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP files. The image should be at least 400 by 400 pixels for the best quality, though smaller images will work.

To change your header image (the large banner at the top of your profile), click or tap the camera icon on the header itself and follow the same upload process. Header images should be at least 1500 by 500 pixels. Both images change when ready once you upload them. You can remove either image by clicking the camera icon and selecting Remove Photo.

How to Change Your Email Address or Password

To change your email address, go to Settings and Privacy > Account > Account Information and find the Email field. Click or tap it and enter your new email address. Twitter will send a confirmation link to both your old email and your new email. You must click the link in the new email to confirm the change. Until you do, your old email remains active.

To change your password, go to Settings and Privacy > Account > Security and Account Access > Password. 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 will send you a reset link to your email address.

How to Change Your Bio and Other Profile Details

Your bio is the short description that appears on your profile. To change it, go to your profile page and click or tap Edit Profile. You'll see a text field labeled Bio where you can type or paste up to 160 characters. You can also edit your Location and Website fields in the same menu. The website field must be a complete URL starting with http:// or https://.

You can also add a Birth Date in this menu, though you can choose to keep it private so only you can see it. Once you've made your changes, click or tap Save at the bottom of the screen. Your profile updates when ready.

How to Change Your Privacy and Notification Settings

If you want to change who can see your tweets or send you messages, go to Settings and Privacy > Privacy and Safety. Here you can make your account private (so only people you approve can follow you), control who can message you, and adjust other privacy options. You can also turn off notifications for certain types of activity—go to Settings and Privacy > Notifications to customize what alerts you receive.

These settings take effect when ready. If you make your account private, people who already follow you stay as followers, but new followers must be approved by you first. If you switch back to public, your account opens up again without any waiting period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Your old username becomes available for anyone to claim as soon as you change it. If you want it back, you can claim it yourself, but only if no one else has taken it. You're limited to one username change every 30 days, so if you've already used your change this month, you'll have to wait.

What happens to my old tweets if I change my username?

Your tweets stay on your account and keep all their likes and replies. The links to your tweets change to reflect your new username, but old links to your profile using your previous username will redirect to your new profile. People who were following you stay as followers.

Can I change my display name on my phone the same way as on a computer?

Yes. The steps are identical whether you use the Twitter app or a web browser. Tap your profile picture, go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Account Information. The fields and options are the same on both.

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

Your new username usually shows up across Twitter within a few minutes, but it can occasionally take longer. Your profile works under the new username right away, even if some parts of the site still show the old one temporarily.

Do I need to verify my email to change my password?

No. You only need to enter your current password to set a new one. However, if you forget your current password and need to reset it, Twitter will send a reset link to your email address, so you do need access to your email account.