Change your handle from your account settings

To change your Twitter handle, open Twitter on any browser or the mobile app, go to your account settings, find the username field, type your new handle, and save. The process takes less than a minute. Your old handle becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so if you want to keep it reserved, you may want to create a holding account first.

Twitter does not charge money to change your handle, and you can change it as many times as you want. There is no waiting period between changes. However, Twitter's system may take a few minutes to update your handle across all pages and search results, so do not be alarmed if your old name still appears briefly in some places.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Twitter handle from Settings and Privacy > Account > Username without paying any fee.
  • Your old handle becomes available for others to claim when ready after you change it, so consider the timing if you want to keep it.
  • Changing your handle does not affect your followers, direct messages, tweets, or account history — everything stays attached to your account.
  • Twitter may take a few minutes to update your new handle across search results and other users' feeds.
  • You can change your handle back to a previous one if someone has not already claimed it.

Step-by-step instructions for desktop and mobile

On desktop: Log into Twitter.com. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner (or your profile picture). Select "Settings and Privacy." Click "Account." Find "Username" and click the pencil icon next to it. Type your new handle — it must start with @ and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores, but no spaces or special characters. Click "Save."

On mobile: Open the Twitter app. Tap your profile picture in the top left. Tap "Settings and Privacy." Tap "Account." Tap "Username." Type your new handle and tap "Save." The same rules explore: start with @, use only letters, numbers, and underscores.

Twitter will show you whether your chosen handle is available before you save. If the name is taken, you will see a message telling you so, and you can try a different one. Once you save, your new handle is live when ready on your account, though it may take a few minutes to update everywhere else on the platform.

What happens to your followers and tweets when you change your handle

Your followers do not unfollow you when you change your handle. All your tweets, likes, retweets, and direct messages stay on your account under your new name. People who have you bookmarked or saved will still see your account — the link just points to your new handle instead of the old one.

If someone tagged you in a tweet using your old handle, that tag will no longer link to your account. However, the tweet itself remains, and the text of the tag stays visible — it just will not be clickable. This is one reason to give people a heads-up if you are changing your handle and you have a public presence or business account.

Reclaiming an old handle or reserving your current one

If you change your handle and later want to go back to your old one, you can do so only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. Twitter does not hold old handles for you. If your old handle is important to your brand or identity, you have a few options: change to a temporary handle first, then change back to your preferred one once you have confirmed the old one is free; or create a second account and claim the old handle there so you control it.

Some people use a holding account to reserve a handle they may want to use later. This is a separate account that sits dormant with your desired username. It requires a separate email address and phone number, and Twitter may suspend accounts that appear inactive for very long periods, so this method is not may provide to work forever.

Handle naming rules and what Twitter will not allow

Twitter handles must be between 4 and 15 characters long. You can use letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or other special characters. Handles are not case-sensitive, so @MyHandle and @myhandle are the same account.

Twitter does not allow handles that impersonate real people, businesses, or public figures in a way designed to deceive. If Twitter believes your handle violates this rule, they may ask you to change it. Handles that promote hate, violence, or illegal activity may also be flagged. In most cases, you straightforward change your handle to something else and the issue is resolved.

Why your preferred handle might already be taken

Popular handles, short handles, and handles that match real names or brands are claimed quickly. If the handle you want is taken but the account appears inactive, you cannot force Twitter to release it. Twitter does not reassign handles from inactive accounts unless the account is suspended for violating Twitter's rules.

If you want a handle that is close to your first choice, consider adding a number, an underscore, or a descriptor. For example, if @sarah is taken, you might try @sarah_okafor, @sarahokafor, or @sarah2024. Many people use their full name, profession, or location to make their handle unique and memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Twitter handle if my account is suspended?

No. You cannot access your account settings if your account is suspended. You would need to appeal the suspension first or wait for it to be lifted. If your account is permanently suspended, you cannot change your handle.

Will my old handle disappear forever?

No. Your old handle becomes available for anyone else to claim when ready after you change it. If someone claims it, you can still change back to it only if that person releases it. Twitter does not reserve old handles for previous owners.

Does changing my handle affect my verified badge?

No. If your account is verified (has a blue checkmark), the verification stays with your account when you change your handle. The checkmark moves with you to your new username.

How long does it take for my new handle to show up in search results?

Usually a few minutes, but it can take up to an hour in some cases. Your new handle is live on your account when ready, but Twitter's search index updates on its own schedule. If you do not see your new handle in search right away, wait and try again later.

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

Only if no one else has claimed it. If your old handle is still available, you can change back to it anytime. If someone else has taken it, you cannot use it unless they release it.