Change your YouTube handle from the settings menu

Your YouTube handle is the username that appears on your channel and in your video URLs. To change it, sign into YouTube, click your profile picture in the top right corner, select Create a channel or go to Settings, then find Channel in the left menu. Look for the option labeled Basic info or Channel name — the exact wording depends on whether you're on desktop or mobile. Enter your new handle and save. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few hours for the new name to appear everywhere YouTube displays it.

You can change your handle once every 90 days. If you changed it recently and want to change it again, YouTube will tell you how many days you have to wait. There is no cost to change your handle, and you do not lose your subscribers, videos, or watch history when you do.

Key Takeaways

  • Your YouTube handle is found in Settings under Channel, then Basic info, and you can edit it directly in that menu.
  • YouTube limits handle changes to once every 90 days, so plan ahead if you want to rebrand.
  • Changing your handle does not affect your subscribers, videos, playlists, or any other channel data.
  • The new handle appears in your channel URL and on your profile when ready, though it may take a few hours to update everywhere on the platform.

What happens to your old handle and channel URL

When you change your handle, your old handle becomes available for someone else to claim. YouTube does not reserve it for you, so if you think you might want to use it again later, take note of it before you change it. Your channel URL — the web address people use to find your channel — also changes to match your new handle, assuming you do not have a custom URL.

If you have already set up a custom URL (a shorter, branded web address), changing your handle does not affect it. Your custom URL stays the same, which is why many creators set one up early: it gives them a stable address to share even if they rebrand their channel name later. You can set a custom URL in the same Basic info section, though YouTube requires your channel to have at least 100 subscribers before you can claim one.

Handles versus channel names — which one to change

YouTube has two separate fields: your channel name and your handle. The channel name is what appears at the top of your channel page and in most places viewers see your content. The handle is a newer feature that works more like a username — it starts with an @ symbol and appears in your channel URL and in comments. Not all channels have a handle yet; YouTube is rolling it out gradually.

If you see a field labeled Handle in your settings, that is the one to change if you want to update your username-style identifier. If you only see Channel name, you can change that instead, and it will update how your channel appears across YouTube. Both changes take effect when ready, though the propagation across YouTube's systems can take a few hours.

Mobile versus desktop — where to find the settings

On desktop, the process is the same: sign in, click your profile picture, go to Settings, select Channel from the left menu, and look for Basic info. On mobile, the path is slightly different. Open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture, select Settings, then Channel, then Basic info. The fields and options are identical; only the navigation changes.

If you are using YouTube on a phone browser rather than the app, the desktop version of the settings usually loads, so follow the desktop steps. Some older Android devices may show a simplified settings menu; if you cannot find the handle or channel name field, try using the desktop site or updating your YouTube app.

What you cannot change about your channel identity

Your channel ID — a long string of numbers and letters that YouTube assigns when you create your channel — cannot be changed. This ID is what YouTube actually uses to track your channel behind the scenes. Your handle and channel name are just labels on top of that ID, so changing them does not affect your channel's underlying identity, history, or data.

You also cannot transfer a handle to a different channel. If you have multiple channels and want to move a handle from one to another, you would have to delete the channel that currently owns it, wait for the handle to become available, and then claim it on the other channel. This is rarely worth the disruption, since each channel can have its own unique handle.

Troubleshooting: handle changes that do not appear right away

After you change your handle, it should appear in your settings when ready. However, it can take up to 24 hours for the new handle to show up in your channel URL, in search results, and in other places across YouTube. If more than 24 hours have passed and your old handle still appears, try signing out and signing back in, or clearing your browser cache.

If you see an error message saying your handle is unavailable or already taken, it means someone else has claimed it — either just now or in the past. YouTube does not hold handles in reserve, so if you want a specific handle and it is taken, you will have to choose a different one. Handles are case-insensitive, so @MyChannel and @mychannel are treated as the same handle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my handle more than once?

Yes, but only once every 90 days. YouTube enforces this limit to prevent spam and handle-squatting. If you changed your handle recently, the settings page will show you exactly how many days you have to wait before you can change it again.

Do my subscribers see my old handle after I change it?

No. Your subscribers will see your new handle when ready in their subscriptions list and when they visit your channel. The old handle disappears from public view as soon as the change takes effect.

What if someone else takes my old handle?

Once you change your handle, the old one becomes available for anyone to claim. YouTube does not reserve it for you. If you think you might want it back, note it down before you change it, but be aware you may not be able to reclaim it later.

Does changing my handle affect my videos or watch history?

No. Your videos, playlists, subscribers, and watch history all stay exactly the same. Only the name and URL of your channel change; everything else remains tied to your channel ID.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my handle?

Handles can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but not spaces or most special characters. YouTube will let you know if a character is not allowed when you try to save the handle.