Change your channel name from the YouTube settings menu

To change your YouTube channel name, go to YouTube.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Create a channel or Settings depending on whether you already have a channel. If you already have one, click Settings, then Basic info on the left side. In the Channel name field, delete the current name and type the new one. Click Save at the bottom of the page.

The name change takes effect when ready on your channel page, in comments you post, and in your upload history. Viewers will see the new name the next time they visit your channel or watch one of your videos. You can change your channel name as often as you want, though YouTube may flag unusually frequent changes as suspicious activity.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your channel settings by clicking your profile picture, then Settings, then Basic info on the left menu.
  • Type your new channel name directly into the Channel name field and click Save to confirm the change.
  • The new name appears across your entire channel, comments, and uploads within seconds.
  • You can change your channel name multiple times, but very frequent changes may trigger YouTube's security systems.
  • Your channel URL (the link to your channel) does not change when you rename your channel unless you customize it separately.

What happens to your channel URL when you change the name

Your channel's default URL — the long link that includes a string of numbers and letters — stays the same no matter how many times you change your channel name. This means old links to your channel will still work, and subscribers will still find you even if you rename.

If you have customized your channel URL (the shorter, custom link that includes your channel name), changing your channel name does not automatically update that custom URL. You would need to go to Settings, then Channel, then Basic info, and manually update the custom URL field if you want it to match your new channel name. You can only customize your URL if your channel has at least 100 subscribers and has been active for at least 30 days.

How to change your channel name on mobile

On the YouTube mobile app, tap your profile picture at the top right, then tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Channel, then Basic info. Tap the Channel name field, clear the current text, and type your new name. Tap the checkmark or Save button to confirm.

The process is identical on both iPhone and Android. Changes appear across the app and on the web version within seconds. If you do not see the change when ready, close the app completely and reopen it to refresh your account data.

Restrictions and things to know before renaming

YouTube does not restrict what characters or words you can use in your channel name, but the platform does remove channels that violate its community guidelines — for example, channels that impersonate other creators or use names designed to deceive viewers. If you rename your channel to something that looks like an official account (such as adding "Official" or a verified checkmark symbol), YouTube may flag it as impersonation.

There is no limit to how many times you can change your channel name, but changing it very frequently — more than once per day — may trigger YouTube's automated security systems, which could temporarily lock your account or require you to verify your identity. If this happens, you will see a message asking you to confirm your phone number or email address.

Changing the name on a brand account

If your YouTube channel is connected to a brand account (a shared account managed by multiple people), the process is slightly different. Sign in to the brand account, click your profile picture, and select Settings. Go to Basic info and change the channel name the same way you would for a personal channel. Any manager of the brand account can make this change.

Brand accounts are useful if you run a business or organization and want multiple team members to upload videos and manage comments without sharing a single password. The channel name change applies to the entire brand account and is visible to all managers when ready.

What does not change when you rename your channel

Your subscriber count, video library, playlists, and watch history all remain exactly the same when you change your channel name. Subscribers are subscribed to your channel itself, not to the name, so they will continue to see your uploads in their subscription feed regardless of what you call yourself.

Comments you posted under your old channel name will still show your old name in the comment history, though your channel profile will display the new name. Videos you uploaded will show the new channel name going forward. If you want to update the name that appears on old comments, you would need to delete and repost them, which is not practical for large comment histories.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can change your channel name, and you can revert to a previous name at any time. straightforward go to Settings, Basic info, and type the old name back into the Channel name field.

Will my subscribers know I changed my channel name?

Subscribers will see the new name the next time they visit your channel or watch one of your videos, but YouTube does not send a notification about the name change. Your subscribers remain subscribed regardless of the name.

Does changing my channel name affect my videos or their view count?

No. Your videos, view counts, likes, and comments all stay exactly the same. The only thing that changes is the name displayed next to your uploads and in your channel header.

What if I see an error message when I try to save the new name?

The most common error is that the name you chose is already in use or violates YouTube's community guidelines. Try a different name. If you see a message about suspicious activity, wait a few hours before trying again, as YouTube may have temporarily locked your account due to rapid changes.

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

YouTube allows most letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation marks. Emojis and some special characters may not work or may be automatically removed when you save. Stick to standard keyboard characters if you want the name to display exactly as you type it.