Change your Twitter handle from your account settings

You can change your Twitter handle (the @username that appears in your profile) directly through Twitter's web or mobile app. The process takes less than a minute and does not require you to create a new account. Your old handle becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so if you want to keep it reserved, you should change back to it before walking away.

Twitter does not limit how many times you can change your handle, but there is a waiting period between changes on new accounts. If your account is less than 30 days old, you may need to wait before making another change after your first one. Once your account is older than that, you can change your handle as often as you want.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your handle through Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Username — the same place on web and mobile.
  • Your old handle becomes available for others to claim when ready, so change back to it if you want to keep it.
  • People who followed you before the change will still follow you after; the change does not affect your followers or direct messages.
  • Links to your old profile will not work after you change, but Twitter does not automatically redirect them.
  • You cannot change your handle to one that is already taken, and Twitter reserves certain handles for its own use.

Step 1: Open Settings and Privacy

On the web, click the three-dot menu in the top left corner of your screen (next to your profile picture). Select "Settings and Privacy" from the dropdown. On mobile, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner, then tap "Settings and Privacy."

You will land on the Settings page. This is where Twitter keeps all your account controls — privacy settings, notification preferences, blocked accounts, and your username.

Step 2: Go to Account and select Username

From the Settings page, click or tap "Account" in the left sidebar. You will see a list of account-related options including Email, Phone, Password, and Username.

Click or tap "Username." A text box will appear with your current handle. The @ symbol is already there; you only type the part after it.

Step 3: Type your new handle and save

Clear the text box and type your new username. Twitter will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or if it contains characters that are not allowed. Usernames can be 1 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and most special characters are not allowed.

Once you have typed a name that is available, click or tap the "Save" button. Your handle changes right away. Your followers stay with you, your direct messages stay with you, and your follower count does not change.

What happens to your old handle

Your old handle becomes available for anyone else to claim as soon as you change it. If you think you might want to use it again later, you have two options: change back to it when ready, or create a second account and claim it there to keep it in reserve.

Twitter does not hold old handles for you, and there is no way to "lock" a handle you used to own. If someone else claims it before you change back, you cannot get it back unless they agree to give it to you.

Links and mentions after you change

When you change your handle, old links to your profile (like twitter.com/@youroldname) will not automatically redirect to your new profile. Anyone who tries to visit your old profile URL will see a "page not found" error. You should update your handle in any bios, websites, or documents where you have shared your Twitter link.

People who mentioned you using your old handle before the change will still see those mentions in their timeline, but the @ tag will no longer link to your profile. New mentions using your new handle will work normally.

Handles Twitter reserves and does not allow

Twitter reserves certain handles for its own use and will not let you claim them. These include @twitter, @twitterapi, @twittersupport, and other official Twitter accounts. You also cannot use handles that are already taken by another user, even if that account has not posted in years.

If you want a handle that is currently taken, your only option is to contact the person who owns it and ask them to change it or give it to you. Twitter does not reassign old handles to new users, and there is no waiting period after which an inactive account loses its handle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my followers disappear if I change my handle?

No. Your followers stay with you when you change your handle. They will see your new handle in their timeline and in your profile, but they do not need to re-follow you or take any action. Your follower count does not change.

Can I change my handle back to my old one?

Yes, if no one else has claimed it. You can change your handle as many times as you want (with a 30-day wait on brand-new accounts). If someone else has already taken your old handle, you cannot reclaim it unless they change it first.

What if the handle I want is taken?

You cannot use a handle that another account currently owns. You can try contacting the person who owns it and asking them to change it, but Twitter does not force users to give up their handles. You will need to choose a different name.

Do my direct messages change when I change my handle?

No. Your direct message conversations stay exactly the same. The people you message will still see your new handle in the conversation, but the messages themselves do not change or disappear.

How long does it take for my new handle to show up everywhere?

Your new handle appears in your profile and in your tweets when ready. It may take a few minutes for the change to show up in search results or in other people's follower lists, but the change is live right away on your account.