Change your Twitter name from your account settings
To change your Twitter name, log into your account on Twitter.com or the Twitter app, go to Settings and Privacy, select Account, then tap or click on Your Handle. Type your new handle in the field and save. Twitter checks when ready whether the name is available — if it is not, you will see a message and can try another one. The whole process takes less than a minute.
Your new handle takes effect right away. Anyone who follows you will still see you in their feed, and your old tweets stay attached to your account. People who try to visit your old handle will be redirected to your new one for about 30 days, but after that the old handle becomes available for someone else to claim.
You can change your handle as often as you want, though Twitter does not let you change it more than once every 30 days if you are switching back to a handle you used before. This cooldown prevents people from rapidly cycling through the same names.
Key Takeaways
- Your Twitter handle changes when ready when you save it, and your followers stay connected to your account automatically.
- The old handle redirects to your new one for 30 days, then becomes available for other users to claim.
- Twitter checks availability in real time, so you will know right away if your chosen name is taken.
- You can change your handle as often as you want, but you cannot reuse a previous handle within 30 days of dropping it.
- Your display name (the readable name on your profile) is separate from your handle and can be changed anytime without restrictions.
The difference between your handle and your display name
Your handle is the @username that appears in your profile URL and in replies — this is what you change in Settings and Privacy under Account. Your display name is the readable name shown above your handle on your profile and in tweets. You can change your display name separately, and there is no limit to how often you change it or what you change it to.
Many people change their display name frequently while keeping the same handle, because the handle is what people use to mention you or search for you. If you change your handle, anyone who bookmarked your profile or shared a link to it will find the redirect, but search results and old links take time to update.
What happens to your tweets and followers when you change your handle
All your tweets, likes, and retweets stay on your account and stay public. Your follower count does not change. Anyone who was following you before the change will still be following you after — Twitter does not require them to re-follow you or do anything else.
If someone mentions you in a tweet using your old handle, that mention will not automatically update to your new handle. The old mention will still work as a link to your profile because of the 30-day redirect, but after 30 days it will become a broken link. This is one reason to give people a heads-up if you have a large following.
How to find an available handle
Twitter shows you right away whether a handle is taken. If the one you want is not available, you can try variations: adding numbers, using underscores or periods, or shortening the name. Handles can be 1 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores — no spaces or special characters.
If you want to reserve a handle that is currently inactive, you cannot force the owner to release it. Inactive accounts are not automatically deleted, and Twitter does not reassign handles from dormant users. Your only option is to choose a different name.
Changing your handle on mobile vs. desktop
The steps are the same on the Twitter app and on Twitter.com. On mobile, tap your profile picture, then Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Your Handle. On desktop, click the three-dot menu next to your profile picture, select Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Your Handle. Both routes show the same field and the same availability check.
If you use Twitter through a third-party app or client, you may not be able to change your handle from within that app. Log into Twitter.com or use the official Twitter app instead to make the change.
What to do if your desired handle is taken
If the handle you want is taken by an active account, you cannot claim it. You will need to choose a different name. Some people try to contact the account owner and ask them to release the handle, but Twitter does not mediate these disputes and the owner has no obligation to help.
If the handle is taken by an account that appears abandoned — no tweets in years, no profile picture — you still cannot take it. Twitter's policy is that handles belong to their owners indefinitely, even if the account is inactive. Your alternatives are to add a number or symbol, use a slightly different spelling, or choose a different name altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my handle back to my old one right away?
No. If you drop a handle and want to use it again, you have to wait 30 days before you can claim it. During those 30 days, the old handle redirects to your new one, then it becomes available for anyone to take.
Will changing my handle affect my verified badge?
No. If your account is verified, your verification status stays with your account no matter how many times you change your handle. The badge appears next to your new handle automatically.
What if I change my handle and then want to change it back?
You can change your handle back anytime, but only after 30 days have passed since you dropped it. If you change your mind within those 30 days, you are stuck with your current handle until the waiting period ends.
Do I need to update my email or password when I change my handle?
No. Your email address and password stay the same. Your handle is just the public name people see — it does not affect how you log in or receive account notifications.
Can I change my handle if my account is suspended or locked?
No. You cannot access Settings and Privacy if your account is locked or suspended. You will need to resolve the account issue first by following Twitter's instructions in the notification you received.