What You Can Change on Your Twitter Account

Twitter (now called X) lets you change your display name, username, email address, phone number, password, and profile photo without losing your account or followers. Some changes take effect when ready; others require you to verify your identity first. You cannot change the username you picked when you first signed up without creating a new account — but you can change your display name, which is what people see next to your posts.

The settings menu is where all these changes live. You reach it by tapping your profile picture in the top right corner (on desktop) or the three horizontal lines in the bottom right (on mobile), then selecting "Settings and privacy." From there, you can navigate to "Account" to find most of the changes you need to make.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name and username are different — you can change your display name anytime, but changing your username means creating a new account.
  • Email and phone number changes require you to verify the new contact information before the change goes through.
  • Password changes happen in Settings and privacy > Account > Change your password, and Twitter will ask you to re-enter your current password first.
  • Profile photo, header image, and bio changes take effect when ready without verification.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to reset it through your email or phone number.

Changing Your Display Name and Profile Information

Your display name is the text that appears above your username on your profile and next to every post you make. To change it, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information > Edit profile. Type your new name in the "Name" field and click "Save." The change appears when ready across your account.

You can also edit your bio, location, and website link from the same screen. Your bio can be up to 160 characters and appears on your profile page. These changes do not require verification and take effect right away. If you want to add a profile photo or header image, click the camera icon on your profile page, select the image from your device, and confirm. Twitter compresses images automatically, so use a clear photo at least 400 pixels wide for best results.

Changing Your Email Address

To change the email address linked to your account, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information > Email address. Enter your new email in the field provided. Twitter will send a confirmation link to that new email address — you must click the link within a set time to complete the change. Until you confirm, your old email remains active.

If you do not see the confirmation email, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, go back to Settings and request a new confirmation link. You cannot use an email address that is already linked to another Twitter account. If you are trying to use an email that belongs to an old account you no longer use, you will need to remove it from that account first.

Changing Your Phone Number

Your phone number is optional but useful for account recovery if you lose access to your email. To add or change it, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information > Phone number. Enter your number, and Twitter will send a verification code via text message. Type that code into the field on the screen to confirm.

If you do not receive the text, wait a few minutes and request a new code. Make sure you are entering the number in the correct format for your country. You can remove your phone number at any time by going to the same screen and selecting "Remove." Removing it does not affect your account security unless it is your only recovery method.

Changing Your Password

Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Security and account access > Change your password. Twitter will ask you to enter your current password first, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Your new password must be at least 8 characters long. Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make it strong.

After you change your password, you will be logged out of all other devices and sessions. You will need to log back in with your new password on each device. If you have forgotten your current password, click "Forgot password?" on the login screen instead — Twitter will send a reset link to your email or phone number.

Changing Your Username (Creating a New Account)

Twitter does not allow you to change your username directly. Your username is the handle that starts with @ and appears in your profile URL. If you want a different username, you must create a new account with that handle and transfer your followers manually — which is not practical for large accounts.

If your username is taken by someone else and you believe it infringes a trademark or violates Twitter's policies, you can report it through the Help Center. Go to Settings and privacy > Help and support > Report a problem and describe the issue. Twitter reviews these reports but does not may provide a change. For most people, changing your display name (which people see in conversations) is a better solution than trying to change your username.

Changing Your Privacy and Safety Settings

Beyond account details, you can control who sees your posts and who can message you. Go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety to make your account private (so new followers need your approval), turn off message requests from strangers, or hide your online status. You can also control whether people can find you by email or phone number.

If you want to change who can reply to your posts, you can set this on a per-post basis when you compose a tweet. Click the globe icon before posting and select "Everyone," "People you follow," or "Only people you mention." These settings do not affect posts you have already published.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my followers if I change my display name?

Your followers stay with you. Changing your display name does not affect your follower count or the posts you have already made. People will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts in their feed.

Can I change my username to something someone else is using?

No. Usernames must be unique on Twitter. If the username you want is taken, you cannot claim it unless the account is inactive or violates Twitter's rules. You can report an inactive account through the Help Center, but Twitter does not may provide it will be released.

How long does it take for email changes to go through?

Email changes take effect as soon as you click the confirmation link in the verification email. This usually happens within minutes. If you do not confirm within the time limit, the change will not go through and your old email remains active.

What should I do if I cannot log in after changing my password?

Make sure you are typing your new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive. If you still cannot log in, click "Forgot password?" on the login screen and follow the reset process. Twitter will send a link to your email or phone number to create a new password.

Can I change my account back to a public account after making it private?

Yes. Go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety and uncheck the "Protect your posts" option. Your account will become public again, and all your existing posts will be visible to everyone.