Change your Twitter handle from your account settings
To change your Twitter handle, log into your account, go to Settings and Privacy, select Your Account, then tap Username. Type your new handle and save the change. The whole process takes less than a minute. Twitter lets you change your handle as often as you want, though you must wait a few minutes between changes if you switch back and forth.
Your handle is the @username that appears in your profile URL and in replies. It is different from your display name, which is the full name shown at the top of your profile. You can change your display name separately without affecting your handle, and changing your handle does not change your display name.
When you change your handle, your old handle becomes available for anyone else to claim after a short period. If you want to keep it reserved, create a second account with that handle before you abandon it, or ask Twitter Support to lock it temporarily while you decide.
Key Takeaways
- Your handle change takes effect when ready, but the old handle becomes available for others to use within minutes.
- Changing your handle does not affect your followers, direct messages, or any tweets you have already posted.
- You can change your handle back to a previous one if no one else has claimed it in the meantime.
- Your display name and your handle are separate — you can change one without changing the other.
What happens to your old handle and your followers
When you change your handle, all your existing followers stay with you. Your follower count does not drop, and people who were following you under your old handle continue to follow your new one automatically. Tweets you posted under your old handle remain on your account and still show your new handle when someone views them.
Your old handle becomes available for someone else to register almost when ready. If you think you might want it back, the fastest way to protect it is to create a second account and claim the old handle yourself before anyone else does. You can then keep that account inactive or delete it later if you change your mind.
Direct messages you sent and received do not change. Conversations stay in your inbox under your new handle, and the people you messaged can still find the conversation thread even though your name has changed.
Handles you cannot use
Twitter reserves certain handles for its own use and will not let you claim them. These include @Twitter, @TwitterAPI, @TwitterDev, and other official Twitter accounts. You also cannot use a handle that is already claimed by another active account, even if that account has not posted in years.
If you try to change to a handle that is taken, Twitter will tell you the name is unavailable and suggest alternatives. If the account holding that handle appears abandoned, you can report it to Twitter Support, though Twitter rarely transfers handles from one user to another.
Changing your handle on mobile versus desktop
The steps are nearly identical on phone and desktop. On a phone, tap your profile picture in the bottom right, then tap Settings and Privacy. On desktop, click the three dots next to your profile picture and select Settings and Privacy. From there, both routes lead to Your Account, then Username, where you type and save your new handle.
Some older phones may load a slightly different menu layout, but the path to Settings and Privacy remains the same. If you cannot find the Username field, make sure you are logged into the account you want to change — logging out and back in sometimes fixes display issues.
What to do if your new handle is already taken
If the handle you want is already in use, Twitter will not let you claim it. You have three options: choose a different spelling or variation, wait to see if the account holding it becomes inactive and is eventually removed by Twitter, or contact the person using it and ask if they will change their handle or sell it to you.
Twitter does not broker handle sales or transfers between users. If you want to buy a handle from someone, that is a private transaction between you and them, and Twitter will not be involved. Be cautious of scams — never send money to someone claiming to own a handle unless you can verify their identity through the account itself.
Handles with numbers, underscores, and special characters
Twitter handles can contain letters, numbers, and underscores. They cannot contain spaces, periods, or most special characters. If you want a handle that includes a number or underscore to make it unique, type it exactly as you want it to appear — @sarah_okafor or @sarah123 are both valid.
Handles are not case-sensitive, so @SarahOkafor and @sarahokafor are treated as the same handle. Twitter will display your handle in whatever case you type it, but the system treats them identically when someone searches for you or tries to mention you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my handle affect my tweets or likes?
No. All your tweets, likes, and retweets stay on your account. When someone views an old tweet you posted, it will show your new handle, not the old one. Your entire history moves with you to the new handle.
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 registered it after you left it, you cannot reclaim it unless they voluntarily change their handle first.
How long does it take for my new handle to show everywhere on Twitter?
The change is when ready in your account settings and in your profile. It may take a few minutes to update everywhere else on the platform — in search results, in other people's follower lists, and in notifications. Refreshing the page usually speeds this up.
What if I want to keep my old handle so no one else can use it?
Create a second account and claim your old handle before you change your main account. You can then leave that second account inactive, or delete it later if you decide you do not need it. Twitter will not hold a handle for you if you straightforward abandon it.
Can I change my handle if my account is suspended or locked?
No. You must restore full access to your account first. If your account is locked due to suspicious activity, complete Twitter's verification steps. If it is suspended, you will need to contact Twitter Support to appeal before you can make any changes.