Still stuck with that TikTok username from 2019 you want to change? You’re in the right place. Here, we’ll walk you through how to change TikTok username, step by step.
We get it. Every time someone tags you as @sweetboygame88, you cringe a little. That handle made sense back then, but not anymore now that you’re building a real brand as a content creator.
So, let’s fix this once and for all so you can rebrand your account properly.
Can You Change Your TikTok Username?
Sure. You’re on TikTok, not Reddit, which keeps your username forever. So, you can change your @handle when you want a fresh start.
Think about it. You chose @bluesmurf870 when you were 15 and thought it was cool.
Now you’re 22, running a cooking channel and go viral on TikTok. That username doesn’t fit anymore. You need something like @chefmiaofficial to show you’re serious food creator.
Or, maybe you started as @gamingwithtfue doing Fortnite streams, but now you’re into fitness. Keeping that old username just confuses people about what your account’s really about.
And TikTok gets it. They know creators change, niches shift, and sometimes you cringe at the username you chose during your emo phase.
That’s why they made it easy to change your username right from your profile in the TikTok app. No tricks, just a simple feature.
So, when you’re ready to rebrand to get more views on TikTok, you can change your TikTok username right away. But does that mean you can’t do it every single day?
No. TikTok only lets you change your username once every 30 days. As soon as you hit save, that countdown starts.
It seems long, but it’s actually shorter than Snapchat’s, which only lets you change your username once a year.
You can change your TikTok username, once every 30 days
Related: How to Get TikTok Back
Is TikTok Username and Display Name the Same?
When it comes to TikTok username vs. display name, the short answer is “no, they’re different”
Your TikTok username is your name with an @ at the start. It’s your unique ID that no one else can have. And it’s what makes up your profile link (tiktok.com/@yourhandle).
On the other hand, your display name is what shows up at the top of your profile, in comments, and the For You feed. It can be your real name, a nickname, or even emojis. It doesn’t have to be unique.
If you check out top gamer Tyler Blevins, he uses @Ninja for both. So, this approach might confuse you, whether there should be the same or not.
But if you look at TikTok verified users like Khaby Lame, his username is @khaby.lame (with the period, because @khabylame was probably taken). But he has “Khabane Lame” as his display name to show his full name.
You see the difference, right?
Great. So, why are there two names? Simple. TikTok wants you to have a simple handle you can find easily, but also let you show your personality with your display name.
Let’s say if you’re hitting a milestone, you can use something like “Ninja | Fortnite Champion” or “xQc | Official Kick Partner” without breaking all those links you’ve shared everywhere.
How to Change TikTok Username
You get the idea and you’re sure you’ll make those changes. But how do you change your TikTok username?
How to Change Name on TikTok From Mobile
Here’s how to change your TikTok username using the TikTok app on your phone:
1. Open Tiktok App
Open TikTok on your phone. Tap the Profile icon at the bottom right. It’s that tiny person icon or your face if you set a profile picture.
2. Edit Profile
When you’re on your profile, look for the Edit button below your profile picture and next to your display name. Tap it, and you’re good to go.
3. Find Username Field
Scroll down a little until you see the Username field with your current @handle. Tap on it, and the box will open so you can change it.
4. Type Your New Username
Delete your old username, then type in your new one. Keep in mind, it can only have letters, numbers, underscores, and periods. No spaces or characters allowed.
5. Check for Availability
TikTok will tell you if your username is available with a green checkmark. It means you’re all set.
But if you see an error that says “This username isn’t available,” it means you need to pick a different one.
6. Save Your Changes
Tap the Save button at the top right.
7. Confirm Changes
Confirm your TikTok username change by tapping on Set Username. Once you do that, your new username is live everywhere, including your TikTok URL.
Note: You can always check the Username Edit Page to see when you can pick a different TikTok username again.
How to Change Username on TikTok From PC
You can also change your TikTok username from your PC with these steps:
1. Go to TikTok Page
Just go to www.tiktok.com on your favorite browser—Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
2. Log Into Your Account
Click login and sign in with the account you want to change your TikTok username for. You can use Google, Facebook, Apple, or Email.
3. Click Profile
You can check the top right corner of your screen and click on your profile picture or icon. Or you can click on the Profile menu at the left side, under the Upload menu.
This will take you to your profile page with all of your TikTok videos.
4. Edit Your Profile
On your profile page, you’ll see an Edit Profile button next to your picture. Click it, and you’ll go to your profile editing page where you can make changes.
5. Find the Username
Scroll down a little until you see the Username field with your current @handle. Click in the box to activate it and start typing. But, there is no option for this if you are in the waiting period.
6. Delete and Type Your New Username
Delete your old username and enter your new handle. Just use letters, numbers, underscores, or periods—no spaces or characters.
7. Check for the Green Checkmark
Just like on mobile, TikTok checks if your chosen username is available. If you see that green checkmark, you’re all set. If you get an error, it’s already taken, so try something else.
8. Save Changes
Once you see the green checkmark that your username’s available, hit the Save button at the bottom.
9. Confirm New Username
Click Confirm if prompted to set your new username. Wait for the page to reload, and you’ll see your TikTok username has changed.
How to Change Your Name on TikTok Without Waiting 30 Days
Say, you don’t want to wait 30 days to change your TikTok username again, especially if you made a mistake. So, can you do it now?
No, we checked, and it’s not possible.
Some tutorials say you can change your phone’s date to skip the wait. It might look like it works. The username field, which gets disabled after changing the date, becomes accessible.
You can type a new username and save it. But when you go back to your profile, nothing changes. You’re still stuck with your latest username.
Why? Because that wait isn’t based on your device settings, it’s on TikTok’s servers.
Tips for Changing Your TikTok Username
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you want to change your TikTok username:
- Decide if you’re updating your branding or your seasonal message — Your username changes your profile link, so it’s a big deal. Your display name? You can change it every 7 days without changing your link or tags. If you just hit 10K followers, change your display name instead of your username.
- Pick options that match your other socials — Before you change your TikTok name, see if your handle’s free on Instagram, YouTube, and others. If @ProChef is taken on Instagram, you need a plan. Will you accept a variation like @Pro.Chef?
- Quick trademark check — Before you use @niketrainer or @starbucksfan, think about their trademarks. Big brands protect their names, and you could get a warning that could ruin what you’re doing.
- Take a screenshot of your old username — If someone’s pretending to be you or claims they had your old one, that screenshot proves it’s yours. It’s also useful if you need to contact TikTok support about account issues.
- Tell everyone about the change first — Post a quick video saying you’re switching from @little.smurf22 to something new. Don’t mention the new one yet, so someone else doesn’t grab it first. Pin a video explaining the rebrand so new visitors get it and your followers stay in the loop.
- Don’t change it too often — Your TikTok username isn’t something you should play around if you’re serious about your content. Just because you can change it every 30 days doesn’t mean you should. Every time you change it, you have to start over in search results.
- Think of it as a live update. Once your username change goes through, your old tiktok.com/@username link stops working. You need to update your URL everywhere. The longer the broken link stays, the more traffic you lose.
- Watch out for glitches. If the app gives errors when you save your new username, it doesn’t always mean it’s rejected. Try logging into TikTok on a desktop browser and changing it there.
Related: How to Make Money on TikTok
How to Change Username on TikTok: A Wrap Up
There you go. Simple, right? Just go to the Edit Profile page, find the username field, and type in your new one. Hit save, and your new username will replace the old one.
Remember, your username is locked for 30 days after each change. Make it count. And decide if you want a full rebrand or just a new display name. Keep it consistent on Instagram and YouTube, too.
Want more TikTok tips like this? Subscribe to our blog for more tips that help you grow your brand and earn more from your content as a creator.
FAQ About How to Change Name on TikTok
Can my name and username be different on TikTok?
Sure! Your display name and username are two different things on TikTok. Your username is your unique link, and your display name shows up on videos and comments.
Is it okay to change your username on TikTok?
Yes, you can change your TikTok username. Just remember it changes your profile URL, so update any links you’ve shared on Instagram, YouTube, or your website. It’s perfect for a permanent rebrand when your old handle doesn’t match your content anymore.
Can changing my TikTok username affect followers?
No, they stay with you. But your profile link changes from tiktok.com/@oldname to tiktok.com/@newname, so people might get confused if they use the old one. To avoid that, let your followers know it’s still you.
How often can you change your TikTok username?
You can change your TikTok username once every 30 days. If you need to change it more often, just update your display name instead. That changes every 7 days.
Why can’t I change my TikTok username?
If you can’t change your username, it’s likely within 30 days of your last change. Or the username is taken. Restrictions may also result from account issues like being under review or violating community guidelines which can temporarily limit profile modifications.
