How to change your TikTok username

To change your TikTok username, go to Profile > Edit profile > Username. Enter an available name and tap Save. TikTok normally allows you to change your username only once every 30 days. This change also updates your profile link. Before saving, check the spelling, recognizability, and external links.

Your username is the unique name that includes the @ symbol, such as @yourname. It is different from your display name or nickname on TikTok. Below, you will find the exact steps, the rules for a valid username, and everything you need to update after making the change.

What is the difference between your TikTok username and display name?

TikTok uses two types of names on your profile. The username includes the @ symbol and is part of your unique profile link. The display name, also known as a nickname, appears in several places on TikTok and does not need to be unique.

For example, if your profile name is Studio Green and your username is @studiogreen, another account could also use Studio Green as its display name. However, it cannot use the exact same username, @studiogreen, at the same time.

Your username is also used when someone mentions you in a message or comment. This makes it important for discoverability and recognition. Businesses and creators should choose a username that clearly matches the brand or name their audience already knows.

If you only want to change the name visible on your profile, select Name under Edit profile rather than Username. These two fields have different rules and waiting periods. Check which one you actually want to change before continuing.

How do you change your TikTok username step by step?

How do you first choose a safe new name?

Create a short list of two or three options. This gives you an alternative if your first choice is already taken. Check that the name does not have an unintended meaning in a language relevant to your audience.

Search for your preferred name outside TikTok as well. This can help prevent confusion with an existing brand or someone who might pretend to represent your organization. For a business, using a consistent name looks professional and trustworthy.

Check whether the same or a similar username is available on Instagram, YouTube, and the other channels you actually use. An exact match is not always possible, but major differences can make recognition more difficult.

How do you make the change?

Open Profile, tap Edit profile, and then tap Username. Enter your chosen name. TikTok usually indicates immediately whether the entry is invalid or already taken. If you receive a warning, adjust the name carefully.

Tap Save once everything is correct. Then reopen your profile and check the name. Copy your new profile link and test it in a browser where you are not signed in. This confirms that visitors can reach the correct profile through the public link.

What should you update immediately after the change?

Update links on your website, other social profiles, email signature, newsletter, and digital business cards. Check any scheduled posts that still display your old username. You should also update QR codes that point directly to your old TikTok profile address.

If the change is significant, briefly tell your regular followers about the new name. A simple video, post, or pinned message is often sufficient. Make it clear that this is still the same official account. This helps prevent confusion and makes imitation less likely.

If you want to reach more people after the change, first make sure your profile name, photo, and bio work well together. You can then, for example, buy TikTok followers. A recognizable profile helps new visitors understand more quickly who you are and what content you share.

Which route works on each device?

The mobile app is the most reliable way to make this change. Your choice is saved at the account level, so your new username will also appear when you sign in to the same account on another device.

Why might TikTok reject your new username?

The name is already being used

A TikTok username must be unique. Even if an account appears empty or inactive, its name does not automatically become available. TikTok says it generally does not reassign an occupied username.

Choose a genuine variation that suits you rather than trying to copy someone else. For example, you can add a niche, location, or recognizable number. Only do this when the addition makes sense and the name remains easy to read.

You recently changed the name

During the waiting period of 30 days, you normally cannot change your username again. A date or countdown message may appear on the screen. Wait until the period has ended.

Changing the date on your phone is not a reliable solution. The restriction applies to your TikTok account, not only to your device. An incorrect date can also disrupt other apps and settings.

The name contains invalid characters

Use only letters, numbers, underscores, and periods. Do not put a period at the end. Spaces and many other symbols are not accepted.

If you are copying a name from a document or message, try entering it again manually. This can prevent hidden characters or invisible spaces from causing an error.

The app does not load the check correctly

Start by checking your internet connection. Close TikTok and reopen the app. If the problem continues, update the app and restart your phone.

You can also clear only the cache within the app. First, read what clearing the TikTok cache actually does. Do not delete the entire app unnecessarily if you have local drafts that have not yet been saved or posted.

Your account has a restriction

Check your account status if several profile features are not working. Also confirm that you are signed in to the correct TikTok account.

If you still cannot save a valid and available name after the waiting period, report the issue through Settings and privacy > Report a problem. Include a clear description and, if possible, a screenshot of the message.

What changes after you change your username?

Your new username appears on your profile and account. Your TikTok profile link also changes, so a link containing the old username may no longer lead reliably to your profile. Update external links as soon as possible.

A normal username change does not delete your followers, posted videos, or messages. It remains the same account. However, people may temporarily have more difficulty recognizing you if the new name is very different from the old one.

For this reason, keep the same profile picture for a while and clearly explain the change. Existing followers will then recognize more quickly that they are still viewing the correct profile.

Mentions of your old name in images, videos, or text outside TikTok are not updated automatically. Review your most important content and communications. You do not have to change every old post, but current contact pages, sales pages, and profile buttons should take priority.

Changing your username does not erase a problematic account history. Blocks, violations, and privacy settings are linked to the account. They do not disappear when you select a different name.

If you want your new videos to receive extra attention after the change, first make sure visitors can easily recognize the new name. You could then buy TikTok likes for content that matches your refreshed profile. Continue posting useful and relevant videos regularly as well.

Can you switch back to your old TikTok username later?

Possibly, but you should not rely on it. You must first observe the usual waiting period, and the old name must still be available afterward. TikTok warns that a particular name may not be available to add back to an account for a short time.

Someone else may eventually be able to use the name once TikTok releases it. Avoid using a temporary joke name if your current username is important to your brand. Keep important brand usernames on your genuine active account and follow the platform rules.

If you made a typo, check the app to see whether an immediate correction is still allowed. If it is not, report the problem to TikTok. Do not assume that support will manually correct every spelling error.

For a verified account, TikTok recommends contacting support when you need to make a change. A different username can affect the recognition on which verification is based.

Does changing a username work the same way on iPhone, Android, and desktop?

The steps are nearly identical on iPhone and Android. The wording, buttons, or location of a setting may vary slightly depending on your language and app version. Update the TikTok app if Edit profile does not open correctly.

Profile options may be available on desktop, but the mobile app remains the clearest official route. It is preferable to make the change in the app and then use a desktop browser to test the new public link.

The rule requiring 30 days between username changes applies to your account. Switching phones, operating systems, or browsers does not give you another opportunity to change the name. Do not try to bypass the limit by using incorrect device information.

How do you choose a username that will continue to work for a long time?

Choose a name that does not depend on a brief trend or temporary product. A personal account can use your real name or an established creator name. A business should preferably use its recognizable brand name without unnecessary characters.

Keep the spelling simple. Say the name aloud and ask someone to type it without seeing it. If they find that difficult, the name may be too complicated.

Check how uppercase and lowercase letters appear visually as well. Capital letters do not make the unique username different, so do not depend on capitalization alone to create a distinction.

Avoid words that could make people think you represent an official TikTok account, bank, or famous brand when you do not. A trustworthy name reflects the genuine identity and content of your profile.

Plan the change for a quiet time. Prepare a list of external links that will need to be updated. Then publish a brief announcement. To plan that explanation carefully, consult the guide to the best time to post a TikTok.

If you use TikTok Live to explain the new name, make sure viewers immediately understand why it changed. For additional visibility during the broadcast, you can also buy TikTok live viewers.

What mistakes do people often make when changing a TikTok username?

The biggest mistake is saving the change without realizing that the profile link will also change. Another mistake is selecting a name that only seems entertaining today. A third is overlooking the difference between the display name and the username.

People often forget about links outside TikTok. Old buttons and QR codes may then direct visitors to an error, an unavailable page, or possibly another account. Before making the change, list all the important places where the link appears.

Another mistake is trying random variations repeatedly when the preferred name is taken. Instead, select one clear and recognizable variation. Add a location, niche, or short number only when it has a genuine meaning.

Some users change their username, display name, profile picture, and content all at once. Regular followers may then stop recognizing the account. Avoid changing everything at the same time, or post a clear announcement first.

Finally, some people try to bypass the waiting period by changing the date on their phone. This does not reliably alter TikTok’s rule. Wait until the period ends and use official support if there is a genuine error.

Frequently asked questions about changing your TikTok username

Where can I find the setting for my TikTok username?

Go to Profile, tap Edit profile, and select Username. Enter a valid, available name and tap Save.

Does the change work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. The route is nearly identical on iPhone and Android. Make sure your TikTok app is current if the screen looks different or a button is missing.

How often can I change my TikTok username?

TikTok says you can change it once every 30 days. Switching devices, browsers, or operating systems will not reliably shorten the waiting period.

Why is my preferred username unavailable?

The name may already be taken, temporarily reserved, or contain invalid characters. Select a recognizable variation, and do not imitate another account, brand, or organization.

Will I lose followers or videos because of the change?

No. Your account, followers, and content remain the same. However, your profile link changes, and people may need some time to recognize your new name.

Can I use my old username again later?

Only if the waiting period has ended and the name becomes available again. TikTok does not guarantee that you will regain a particular username immediately or at a later date.

Will my regular TikTok name also change automatically?

No. Your display name and unique username are separate fields. Review both under Edit profile if you want them to work well together.

Do I need to update my TikTok links after making the change?

Yes. Your username forms part of your profile link. Update links on your website, social profiles, newsletters, QR codes, and other public locations.

What is the first step you can take now?

Start by writing down your preferred username and two backup options. Check their spelling, meaning, and recognizability. Then list your website, social profiles, and QR codes that direct people to TikTok.

Next, go to Profile > Edit profile > Username. Save the change only when you are certain, because the required wait of 30 days can prevent you from quickly changing it again.

Finally, test your new profile link in a browser where you are not signed in. Update all important external links and briefly tell your audience that your name has changed. This will help keep your TikTok account recognizable and easy to find.