You cannot change another person's Snapchat username or display name
Snapchat accounts are personal and password-protected. Only the person who owns the account can change their username or display name. If you are trying to update information on someone else's account, they will need to log in and make the change themselves.
The only exception is if you have parental control access through Snapchat's Family Center feature, which lets parents view some account details for accounts they supervise. Even then, you cannot directly edit the name—you can only see it and monitor activity.
Key Takeaways
- Only the account owner can change their own username or display name on Snapchat.
- You cannot change another person's name even if you know their password, because Snapchat requires account verification.
- If you manage a minor's account through Family Center, you can see their display name but cannot edit it directly.
- If someone else's account has been hacked or compromised, they should contact Snapchat support to regain control.
- Attempting to change another person's account without permission violates Snapchat's terms of service and can result in suspension or a ban.
How the account owner can change their own display name
If you are helping someone understand how to change their own name on Snapchat, they should open the app and tap their profile icon in the top left corner. Then they tap the gear icon to open Settings, scroll down to Username, and tap it. Snapchat will show their current username and explain that usernames cannot be changed—they are permanent once created.
What can be changed is the display name, which is different from the username. The display name is what appears to friends in their contact list. To change it, the account owner goes to Settings, taps their name at the top, and edits the text field. They can use spaces, capital letters, and special characters in a display name, unlike a username. The change takes effect when ready and is visible to all their friends.
Why you cannot change someone else's account details
Snapchat requires the account owner to be logged in and verified before any account changes are saved. This is a security measure. Even if you had someone's password, Snapchat may ask for additional verification—such as a recovery email, phone number, or two-factor authentication code—before allowing changes to sensitive information.
Attempting to change another person's account without permission is unauthorized access and violates Snapchat's terms of service. It can result in the account being suspended or permanently banned. Snapchat logs login attempts and account changes, so unauthorized activity can be traced and reported.
What to do if an account has been hacked
If someone else's Snapchat account has been compromised and they cannot log in, they should go to Snapchat's login page and tap "Can't log in?" They can then follow the recovery process, which usually involves verifying their email address or phone number. Snapchat will send a recovery link or code to the verified contact information on file.
If the hacker has changed the recovery email or phone number, the account owner should contact Snapchat support directly through the app or website. They will need to provide information that proves they own the account, such as the email address they originally signed up with or details about their account history. Snapchat support can help restore access, but this process may take several days.
Using Family Center to monitor a minor's account
If you are a parent or guardian, Snapchat's Family Center feature lets you connect with a young person's account (with their permission) to see their friends list, who has added them, and their contact activity. To set this up, both the parent and the young person open Snapchat, go to Settings, and follow the Family Center pairing steps. The young person must agree to the connection before it becomes active.
Family Center does not let you change the young person's username, display name, or other account settings. You can only view information and receive notifications about certain activities. Any changes to the account must be made by the young person themselves. This design protects the young person's account security while giving parents visibility into their social connections.
What happens if you suspect unauthorized name changes
If you notice that someone's display name has changed and they did not make the change themselves, the account may have been compromised. The account owner should change their password when ready and enable two-factor authentication in Settings if they have not already. Two-factor authentication requires a code from their phone or email before anyone can log in, even with the correct password.
After securing the account, the owner should contact Snapchat support to report the unauthorized access. Snapchat can review the account's login history and help identify where the breach occurred. If the account was accessed from an unfamiliar location or device, Snapchat may ask the owner to log out all active sessions and verify their identity again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change someone's username if they forgot their password?
No. Even if someone forgets their password, only they can reset it through the "Can't log in?" option on the login page. Snapchat will verify their identity using their recovery email or phone number before allowing a password reset. You cannot change their username or display name on their behalf.
What if I am a parent and want to change my child's display name?
You cannot change it through Family Center or any other method. Your child must log into their own account and make the change themselves. You can ask them to update it, but Snapchat does not give parents direct editing access to account details.
Can Snapchat support change a name for me?
Snapchat support can help you regain access to your own account if you are locked out, but they cannot change your username or display name on request. You must make those changes yourself once you are logged in. Usernames are permanent and cannot be changed by anyone, including support staff.
What happens if someone changes my display name without permission?
This should not be possible unless they have your password and any two-factor authentication codes. If you notice your display name has changed and you did not do it, change your password when ready and enable two-factor authentication in Settings. Then contact Snapchat support to report the unauthorized access.
Is there any way to change a username after it is created?
No. Snapchat usernames are permanent and cannot be changed by the account owner or by Snapchat support under any circumstances. You can only change your display name. If you need a different username, you would have to create a new account, though this means losing your friends list and chat history.