Change Your Display Name in Snapchat

You can change the name that appears on your Snapchat profile in about 30 seconds. This is the name your friends see when they look at your profile or receive snaps from you. Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon in the top-left corner, then tap the gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down to "Username" and tap it — but note that you cannot change your username itself, only your display name.

To change your display name instead, go back to your profile and tap the pencil icon next to your name at the top. Type your new display name (up to 20 characters) and tap the checkmark to save. The change takes effect when ready, and all your friends will see the new name the next time they open the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is what friends see on your profile and in conversations, and you can change it anytime by tapping the pencil icon next to your name.
  • Your username is permanent and cannot be changed — it is the handle people use to search for and add you.
  • Display name changes show up right away for all your friends without any delay or confirmation needed.
  • You can use spaces, numbers, and most special characters in your display name, but the app will reject some symbols.

The Difference Between Display Name and Username

Snapchat uses two separate identifiers, and understanding the difference matters because one can be changed and one cannot. Your username is the handle you chose when you created your account — it is permanent and cannot be changed, even if you contact Snapchat support. This is what people type into the search bar to find you and add you as a friend.

Your display name is what appears on your profile card and in chat threads. You can change this as often as you want. If you want your friends to call you by a different name but keep the same account, change only the display name and leave your username alone.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Display Name

Start by opening Snapchat and tapping your profile icon — it is a small circle in the top-left corner of the camera screen. This opens your profile page, where you will see your current display name at the top, usually in larger text.

Look for a small pencil or edit icon next to your name. Tap it once. A text field will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type your new one. Snapchat allows up to 20 characters, including spaces and numbers. When you are done typing, tap the checkmark button (usually in the bottom-right of the keyboard) to save your change.

Your new display name will appear on your profile when ready. All your friends will see it the next time they view your profile or receive a snap from you. There is no waiting period or confirmation email — the change is live right away.

What Happens to Your Username When You Change Your Display Name

Your username stays exactly the same. If your username is @snapuser123, it will remain @snapuser123 even if you change your display name to "Alex." Your friends can still search for you using your original username, and any links to your profile will still work.

This separation is useful if you want to rebrand how people see you without losing your account identity. You might change your display name to match a nickname, a new job title, or just something you like better, while keeping your searchable username stable so people can still find you.

Troubleshooting: When Your Name Change Does Not Save

If you tap the checkmark and your new name does not appear, first check that you are connected to the internet — Snapchat needs an active connection to save changes. Close the app completely and reopen it. Your new name may have saved even if it did not look like it did.

If the name still has not changed, try clearing your Snapchat cache. On iPhone, go to Settings > Snapchat > Clear Cache. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Storage > Clear Cache. Then open Snapchat again and check your profile. If the problem persists, log out completely, wait a few minutes, and log back in.

Snapchat occasionally rejects certain special characters or symbols. If you see an error message, try removing any unusual punctuation and stick to letters, numbers, and spaces. Most common characters work fine, but the app will tell you if something is not allowed.

Changing Your Name on Different Devices

The process is the same whether you use Snapchat on iPhone, Android, or the web version. Open your profile, tap the pencil icon next to your name, type the new name, and save. The change syncs across all your devices within a few seconds, so if you change your name on your phone, it will show up on the web version and any other device you use automatically.

If you use Snapchat on multiple devices and see your old name on one device but the new name on another, wait a minute or two for the sync to complete. If it does not sync after five minutes, log out of the device showing the old name and log back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on Snapchat?

No. Your username is permanent and cannot be changed. If you want a different username, you would need to create a new Snapchat account. You can only change your display name, which is what appears on your profile and in chats.

How often can I change my display name?

You can change your display name as many times as you want with no limit. There is no waiting period between changes, so you can update it multiple times in a single day if you choose.

Will my friends be notified when I change my display name?

No. Snapchat does not send a notification when you change your display name. Your friends will straightforward see the new name the next time they view your profile or receive a snap from you.

What if someone else has the display name I want?

Display names do not have to be unique on Snapchat — multiple people can have the same display name. You can use any name you want as long as it does not violate Snapchat's community guidelines. If the name you want contains offensive language or hate speech, Snapchat will reject it.

Does changing my display name affect my Snapchat score or streaks?

No. Your Snapchat score, streaks, and all your account data remain exactly the same. Changing your display name is purely cosmetic and does not affect any of your account statistics or your friends' ability to send you snaps.