Change your Instagram username or display name from the app or website
Instagram lets you change two different names: your username (the handle people use to find you, like @yourname) and your display name (the full name shown on your profile). You can change either one directly from your phone or computer in under a minute. The username change has a waiting period if you have changed it recently, but the display name can be updated as often as you want.
Both changes happen in your profile settings. You do not need to contact Instagram support or use a third-party tool — the option is built into the app.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (full name) can be changed anytime and takes effect when ready.
- Your username (handle) can be changed, but Instagram may require you to wait 14 days if you changed it recently.
- On mobile, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select Settings and privacy, then Account, then Username.
- On desktop, visit instagram.com, click your profile icon, select Settings, then Username under Account info.
- Changing your username does not affect your followers, posts, or messages — people can still find your old posts by searching.
Change your display name on mobile
Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then scroll down and tap Settings and privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Name. Type your new display name in the text field. This is the name that appears at the top of your profile — it does not have to be unique, and you can use spaces and special characters. Tap Done or the checkmark to save.
Change your username on mobile
From your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then Settings and privacy. Tap Account, then tap Username. Type your new username in the text field. Usernames must start with a letter or number, contain only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and be between 1 and 30 characters long.
If your desired username is taken, Instagram will tell you when ready. Try adding a number, underscore, or period to make it unique. Once you enter a username that is available, tap Done to save. If you changed your username within the last 14 days, Instagram will show a message saying you must wait before changing it again — the exact date will be displayed.
Change your name on desktop or web
Go to instagram.com and log in. Click your profile icon in the bottom left corner (or the person icon in the top right on newer layouts), then click Settings. On the left sidebar, click Account info or Edit profile.
To change your display name, click the Name field and type your new name. To change your username, click the Username field and type your new handle. Both fields work the same way as on mobile — display names can be changed anytime, and usernames have the 14-day waiting period if you changed recently. Click Save or Done when finished.
What happens when you change your username
Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it. Your followers stay the same, your posts stay the same, and your direct messages stay the same. People who had you saved in their contacts or bookmarks will still be able to find you by searching your display name.
If someone else takes your old username before you change your mind, you cannot get it back. Think through your new username before you confirm the change. You can change it again after 14 days if you want to switch back or try something different.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is confusing your username with your display name. Your display name is what your friends see at the top of your profile — it can be "Sarah Johnson" or "Sarah J." or anything else. Your username is the handle — @sarahjohnson or @sarah.j. If you only want to change how your name appears to friends, change the display name and leave the username alone.
Another mistake is trying to change your username twice in two weeks. Instagram enforces a 14-day waiting period between username changes to prevent spam and account takeovers. If you see the message "You can change your username again in X days," you will have to wait. Mark the date on your calendar if you need to remember when you can change it again.
Do not assume a username is unavailable just because it looks taken. Some accounts are private or deleted, and their usernames may still show as unavailable for a few days. Try again in 24 hours if you want a username that seemed taken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Only if no one else has claimed it. Once you change your username, it becomes available for anyone to take. If someone else grabbed it, you cannot get it back. If it is still available, you can change back to it after waiting 14 days from your last username change.
Does changing my username affect my followers or posts?
No. Your followers stay the same, your posts stay the same, and your likes and comments stay the same. People can still find your old posts by searching for keywords or your display name. The only thing that changes is the handle people use to tag you or search for you directly.
What if the username I want is taken?
Try adding a number, period, or underscore to make it unique — for example, @sarah.johnson or @sarahjohnson1. You can also check if the account is active by clicking on it. Some inactive or deleted accounts keep their usernames unavailable for a short time, so try again in a day or two if you want to wait.
Can I change my username on the Instagram app for iPad?
Yes. The iPad app works the same way as the iPhone app. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select Settings and privacy, tap Account, then tap Username. The process and 14-day waiting period are identical.
What characters can I use in my username?
Usernames can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores only. They must start with a letter or number and be between 1 and 30 characters long. Spaces, hyphens, and special characters like @ or # are not allowed in usernames.