Change your YouTube channel name from your account settings

To change your YouTube channel name, sign into your Google Account, go to YouTube Studio, and select "Settings" from the left menu. Click "Channel" and then "Basic info." You will see your current channel name in a text field — delete it and type your new name, then click "Publish" at the bottom right. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to appear everywhere YouTube shows your name.

You can change your channel name as often as you want. There is no limit on how many times you do this, and no waiting period between changes. YouTube does not charge a fee for renaming your channel.

If you cannot find the Settings option, make sure you are in YouTube Studio, not the regular YouTube homepage. YouTube Studio is the creator dashboard where you manage your channel. You reach it by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner of any YouTube page and selecting "Create a studio" or "YouTube Studio."

Key Takeaways

  • Sign into your Google Account, open YouTube Studio, and navigate to Settings > Channel > Basic info to find the channel name field.
  • Type your new name directly into the text field, then click Publish — the change is when ready and costs nothing.
  • You can rename your channel as many times as you want with no waiting period or limit.
  • Your channel URL (the web address) does not change when you rename your channel, so subscribers and links to your channel still work.
  • If you have a custom URL set up, your channel name and custom URL are separate — changing one does not affect the other.

What happens to your channel URL and custom link when you rename

Your channel URL — the web address people use to find your channel — stays the same when you change your channel name. If your channel URL is youtube.com/c/YourChannelName, it will not change to reflect your new name. This means all your old links, subscriber bookmarks, and shared URLs continue to work without any problem.

If you have set up a custom URL (a shorter, branded web address like youtube.com/@YourName), that also stays the same. Your custom URL and your channel name are two separate things. You can change your channel name without touching your custom URL, or change your custom URL without changing your channel name.

Renaming a channel you do not manage directly

If you manage a YouTube channel for a business, organization, or brand account, the process is the same — you still go to YouTube Studio > Settings > Channel > Basic info. However, you will only see this option if your Google Account has been given permission to edit the channel. If you cannot see the Settings menu, ask the channel owner to add you as a manager with editing rights.

Some organizations use a Brand Account instead of a personal Google Account to run their YouTube channel. Brand Accounts have the same renaming process, but the account owner must grant you the right permission level to make changes. If you are trying to rename a Brand Account channel and cannot access Settings, contact the account owner and ask them to give you "Owner" or "Manager" status.

Changing your channel name on mobile devices

You can rename your channel from the YouTube app on your phone or tablet, though the steps are slightly different. Open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture in the top right, and select "Create a studio" or "YouTube Studio." Once in Studio, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and go to Settings > Channel > Basic info. The name field works the same way — type your new name and tap the checkmark or confirm button to save.

Mobile YouTube Studio can be slower to load than the desktop version, especially if you have a large channel with many videos. If you run into problems, try using the desktop website instead, which is usually more reliable for account changes.

Things to know before you rename your channel

Your subscribers do not need to do anything when you change your channel name. They will see your new name the next time they visit your channel or watch one of your videos. Subscriptions are tied to your channel ID, not your channel name, so renaming does not affect who follows you or their notification settings.

If you use your channel name in video thumbnails, video titles, or other places in your content, those will not update automatically. You will need to edit those videos yourself if you want them to match your new channel name. Similarly, any external websites, social media profiles, or email signatures that mention your old channel name will need to be updated by hand.

YouTube does not reserve your old channel name for you. Once you change it, someone else can claim that name for their own channel. If you think you might want to use your old name again, consider whether you should keep it instead.

Troubleshooting: why you might not see the rename option

If you cannot find the channel name field in Settings, check that you are signed into the correct Google Account. Some people manage multiple YouTube channels under different accounts. Make sure you are in YouTube Studio (not the regular YouTube site) and that you are signed into the account that owns the channel you want to rename.

If you are signed in correctly but still cannot see the option, your account may not have permission to edit the channel. This happens most often with Brand Accounts or channels managed by multiple people. Ask the channel owner to check your permission level and make sure you have been granted editing rights.

Occasionally YouTube has temporary technical issues that prevent the Settings page from loading. If the page is blank or shows an error, try refreshing your browser, clearing your cache, or waiting a few minutes before trying again. If the problem persists, try accessing YouTube Studio from a different browser or device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my YouTube channel name back to what it was before?

Yes. You can rename your channel to any name you want at any time. However, if someone else has claimed your old channel name in the meantime, you will not be able to use it again. If you think you might want to go back to an old name, change it back as soon as possible.

Does changing my channel name affect my YouTube videos or watch history?

No. Your videos stay exactly where they are, and your watch history is not affected. The only thing that changes is the name that appears next to your channel and on your videos. All your content, playlists, and account data remain the same.

Will my subscribers get notified when I change my channel name?

Subscribers do not receive a notification about the name change. They will see your new name the next time they visit your channel or watch one of your videos. Your subscription count and subscriber list do not change.

How long does it take for my new channel name to show up everywhere on YouTube?

The change is usually when ready in YouTube Studio and on your channel page. However, it may take a few minutes to appear in search results, recommendations, and other parts of YouTube. In rare cases, it can take up to 24 hours for the name to update everywhere, but this is uncommon.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my YouTube channel name?

YouTube allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks in channel names. Emojis are not supported in the channel name field itself, though you can use them in your channel description or other parts of your profile. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, YouTube will show an error message.