What You Can Change on Your Twitter Account

Twitter (now called X) lets you change your username, email address, password, phone number, and display name without losing your account or followers. You can also change your profile photo, bio, and header image. Most changes take effect when ready, though a username change may take a few minutes to show everywhere on the platform.

The settings you change depend on what you want to update. If you want people to see a different name, you're changing your display name — that's separate from your username (the @handle). If you're locked out or want to find your account, you'll change your password or email. This guide covers the most common changes and where to find each one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username (@handle) and display name are different — you can change both, but your username is what appears in your profile URL and @mentions.
  • To change your username, go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Username, and type your new handle in the text box.
  • You can change your email address in the same Settings menu under Email Address, and Twitter will send a confirmation link to your new email.
  • Password changes require you to enter your current password first, and you should use a strong password with numbers, symbols, and mixed case letters.
  • Profile photo, header image, and bio changes happen in your profile settings and show up right away without affecting your followers or posts.

How to Change Your Username (Your @Handle)

Your username is the @handle that appears in your profile URL and when people mention you. To change it, open Twitter on a web browser or the mobile app and tap the three-line menu icon in the top left corner (on mobile) or look for the "More" menu. Select Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Username.

You'll see a text box with your current username. Delete it and type your new username. Twitter will tell you right away if the name is already taken or contains characters that aren't allowed. Usernames can be 1 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores — no spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods. Once you type a name that's available, click Save. The change usually takes effect within a few minutes, though it may take longer to update everywhere on the platform.

Keep in mind that anyone who was following you will still follow you after the change — your followers don't disappear. However, any links to your old username will stop working, and old @mentions of your previous handle won't redirect to your new one.

How to Change Your Email Address

To change the email address connected to your Twitter account, go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Email Address. Type your new email in the box and click Save. Twitter will send a confirmation link to the new email address you entered.

Open that email and click the confirmation link within 24 hours. If you don't confirm within 24 hours, the change won't go through and you'll need to start over. After you confirm, your account will be connected to the new email address. Your old email will no longer be linked to your Twitter account. This is useful if you're changing email providers or want to use a different email for security reasons.

How to Change Your Password

Go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Password. Twitter will ask you to enter your current password first — this is a security step to make sure it's really you making the change. Type your current password in the first box.

In the next box, type your new password. Make it at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! @ # $ %). Avoid using words from a dictionary or information that's straightforward to guess, like your birth year or pet's name. Type the new password again in the confirmation box to make sure you didn't make a typo, then click Change Password. The change takes effect when ready, and you'll be logged out of all other devices or browsers where you were signed in.

How to Change Your Display Name and Profile Photo

Your display name is what appears at the top of your profile — it's different from your username and can include spaces, capital letters, and emoji. To change it, click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select Profile. Click the Edit Profile button. In the "Name" field, delete your current name and type the new one you want, then click Save.

To change your profile photo, click the Edit Profile button and hover over your current profile picture. A camera icon will appear. Click it and choose a photo from your device. You can crop the image to fit the circular profile frame, then click explore and Save. The new photo will show up on your profile and next to all your posts and replies right away.

You can also change your header image (the large banner at the top of your profile) the same way — hover over it, click the camera icon, and choose a new image. Your bio, which appears below your display name, can be edited in the same Edit Profile section. All these changes are visible to everyone who visits your profile.

How to Change Your Phone Number

If you added a phone number to your account for security or recovery purposes, you can change it in Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Phone Number. Click Edit next to your current number. Type your new phone number in the format that matches your country (for example, +1 for the United States). Twitter will send a confirmation code to that phone number via text message.

Enter the code in the box on Twitter's website within 10 minutes. If you don't receive the code, click Didn't get the code? and Twitter will offer to send it again or let you try a different number. Once you confirm the code, your new phone number is saved. This number is used to help you recover your account if you get locked out and to add extra security to your login.

What Happens When You Change Your Account Settings

When you change your username, email, password, or phone number, your followers stay with you — they don't need to do anything. Your posts, likes, and replies all stay on your account. However, there are a few things to know: if you change your username, old links to your profile using the previous @handle will break. If you change your password, you'll be signed out everywhere except the device you're currently using, so you'll need to sign back in on other devices.

If you change your email address, make sure you have access to the new email account, because Twitter uses it to send you security alerts and password reset links. If you lose access to that email later, you may have trouble recovering your account. Keep your phone number up to date for the same reason — it's a backup way to prove you own the account if something goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can change your username to anything available, including a previous username you used. However, if someone else claimed your old username in the meantime, you won't be able to use it unless they change theirs first. You can change your username as often as you want, but Twitter may limit how frequently you can do it if you change it many times in a short period.

What if I forget my password?

Click Forgot password? on the Twitter login page. Twitter will ask for your username, email, or phone number. Select which one you want to use to reset your password, and Twitter will send you a link or code. Follow the instructions in that email or text message to create a new password. Make sure you have access to the email address or phone number on your account before you need to reset your password.

Can I change my username if I'm suspended or locked out?

If your account is locked, you won't be able to change your username until you unlock it. Twitter will usually ask you to confirm your identity or complete a security check. If your account is suspended, you can't make any changes until the suspension is lifted. Contact Twitter's support if you believe your account was suspended by mistake.

Do my followers see when I change my display name or profile photo?

Your followers don't get a notification when you change your display name or profile photo, but they'll see the new version the next time they visit your profile or see your posts. Changes to your username, email, and password are not visible to other users — those are private account settings.

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

Your new username usually takes effect within a few minutes on your profile and in search results. However, it may take longer to update in other places like notifications, retweets, or third-party apps that track Twitter accounts. If you see your old username somewhere after 24 hours, it should update on its own — you don't need to do anything.