Change your TikTok username

You change your TikTok username via Profile > Edit profile > Username. Enter an available name and tap Save. TikTok normally lets you change your username only once every 30 days. The change also updates your profile link. So check the spelling, recognizability, and external links before you save.

Your username is the unique name with the @ symbol, for example @yourname. So 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 the change.

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

TikTok uses two kinds of names on your profile. The username includes the @ symbol and forms part of your unique profile link. The display name, also called nickname, appears in several places on TikTok and does not have to be unique.

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

Your username is also used when someone mentions you in a message or comment. That makes it important for discoverability and recognition. For businesses and creators, it is smart to choose a username that clearly matches the brand or name people already know.

Do you only want to change the visible profile name? Then choose Name under Edit profile and not Username. These two fields follow different rules and waiting periods. So first check which part you really want to change.

How do you change your TikTok username step by step?

How do you choose a safe new name first?

Make a short list with two or three options. That way you have an alternative if your first choice is already taken. Check whether the name has no unintended meaning in a language that matters to your audience.

Also search outside TikTok for the name you want. This helps prevent confusion with an existing brand or a person who could pretend to be your organization. For a business, a consistent name looks professional and trustworthy.

So check whether the same or a similar username is available on Instagram, YouTube, and other channels you actually use. Complete matching is not always possible, but major differences make recognition harder.

How do you make the change?

Open Profile, tap Edit profile, and then tap Username. Enter the chosen name. TikTok usually shows right away whether the input is invalid or already taken. Adjust the name calmly if you get a warning.

Tap Save when everything is correct. Then open your profile again and check the name. Copy your new profile link and test it in a browser where you are not logged in. That way you know visitors will 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. Also check scheduled posts that still show your old username. Update QR codes if they point directly to your old TikTok profile address.

Briefly tell your regular followers about the new name when the change is significant. A simple video, post, or pinned message is often enough. Make it clear that it is the same official account. That prevents 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 fit together well. Then you can, for example, buy TikTok followers. A recognizable profile helps new visitors understand faster who you are and what content you post.

Which route works on which device?

The mobile app is the most reliable route for this change. The choice is saved at account level. So your new username will also appear when you log into the same account on another device.

Why can TikTok refuse your new username?

The name is already in use

A TikTok username must be unique. Even if an account looks empty or inactive, the name is not automatically available. TikTok says it usually does not reassign an occupied username.

Choose a real variation that fits you, and do not try to copy someone else. For example, you can add a niche, location, or recognizable number. Only do this if the addition makes sense and the name remains easy to read.

You changed the name recently

During the 30-day waiting period, you normally cannot change the username again. The date or a countdown message may appear on the screen. Wait until this period has passed.

Changing the date on your phone is not a reliable solution. The restriction belongs to your TikTok account, not just your device. A wrong date can also confuse other apps and settings.

The name contains invalid characters

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

Are you copying a name from a document or message? Then type it again manually. This helps prevent hidden characters or invisible spaces from causing an error.

The app does not load the check properly

First check your internet connection. Close TikTok and open the app again. Update the app and restart your phone if the problem continues.

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

Your account has a restriction

Check your account status if several profile features do not work. Also make sure you are logged into the correct TikTok account.

Report the issue via Settings and privacy > Report a problem if a valid and available name still cannot be saved after the waiting period. Add a clear description and, if possible, a screenshot of the message.

What changes after your username has been changed?

Your new username appears on your profile and on your account. Your TikTok profile link also changes. A link with the old username may therefore no longer reliably lead to your profile. So update external links as soon as possible.

Your followers, posted videos, and messages are not deleted by a normal username change. It remains the same account. However, people may temporarily recognize you less quickly if the new name differs a lot from the old one.

That is why you should keep the same profile picture for a while and explain the change clearly. Existing followers will then see faster that they are still looking at the correct profile.

Mentions of your old name in images, videos, or text outside TikTok do not update automatically. Check your most important content and communication. You do not need to change every old post, but current contact pages, sales pages, and profile buttons should be a priority.

Changing your username is not a way to erase a problematic account history. Blocks, violations, and privacy settings belong to the account. They do not disappear when you choose a different name.

Do you want your new videos to get extra attention after the change? First make sure visitors recognize the new name well. After that, you could buy TikTok likes for content that fits your refreshed profile. Also keep posting good and relevant videos regularly.

Can you later switch back to your old TikTok username?

Maybe, but do not count on it. You must first respect the normal waiting period, and the old name must still be available afterward. TikTok warns that a given name may not be added back to an account again for a short period.

Someone else may be able to use the name later once TikTok releases it. So do not use a temporary joke name if your current username is important for your brand. Keep important brand usernames on your real active account and follow the platform rules.

Did you make a typo? Check in the app whether a direct correction is still allowed. If not, report the problem to TikTok. Do not expect support to fix every spelling mistake manually.

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

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

On iPhone and Android, the steps are nearly the same. The wording, buttons, or location of a setting may differ slightly because of your language and app version. Update the TikTok app if Edit profile does not open properly.

On desktop, profile options may be available, but the mobile app remains the clearest official route. Prefer making the change in the app. Then use a desktop browser to test the new public link.

The 30-day rule belongs to your account. Switching phones, operating systems, or browsers does not give you a new chance to change the name. Do not try to bypass the limit with incorrect device details.

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

Choose a name that does not depend on a short trend or one temporary product. A personal account can use your real name or a stable creator name. A business should preferably choose the recognizable brand name without unnecessary characters.

Keep the spelling simple. Say the name out loud and ask someone to type it without seeing it. If that is difficult, the name may be too complicated.

Also check how uppercase and lowercase letters are displayed visually. Capital letters do not suddenly make the unique username different. So do not rely on capitalization alone to create a distinction.

Avoid words that make people think you are an official TikTok account, a bank, or a famous brand when you are not. A trustworthy name matches the real identity and content of your profile.

Plan the change for a calm moment. Make a list of external links that need to be updated in advance. Then publish a short announcement. If you want to plan that explanation wisely, use the guide on the best time to post a TikTok.

Do you use TikTok Live to explain the new name? Make sure viewers understand right away why your name changed. For extra visibility during such a broadcast, you can also buy TikTok livestream views.

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

The biggest mistake is saving without realizing that the profile link changes. A second mistake is choosing a name that only feels fun today. The third mistake is missing the difference between the display name and the username.

People often forget links outside TikTok. As a result, old buttons and QR codes send visitors to an error, an unavailable page, or possibly another account. Make a list of all important places before the change.

Another mistake is trying random variants again and again when the desired name is taken. Instead, choose one neat and recognizable variation. Add a location, niche, or short number only if it really has meaning.

Some users change their username, display name, profile picture, and content all at once. As a result, regular followers may no longer recognize the account. So do not change everything at the same time, or post a clear announcement first.

Finally, people try to bypass the waiting period by changing their phone date. That does not reliably change TikTok’s rule. Wait out the period and use official support for a real error.

Frequently asked questions about changing your TikTok username

Where do I find the setting for my TikTok username?

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

Does the change work on iPhone and Android?

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

How often can I change my TikTok username?

TikTok says you can do this once every 30 days. You cannot reliably shorten the waiting period by switching device, browser, or operating system.

Why is my desired username unavailable?

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

Will I lose followers or videos because of the change?

No. The same account, your followers, and your content remain. However, your profile link changes. People may also need time to recognize your new name.

Can I set my old username again later?

Only if the waiting period has passed and the name becomes available again. TikTok does not guarantee that you will get a given username back immediately or later.

Will my regular TikTok name change automatically too?

No. Your display name and your unique username are separate fields. Check both fields under Edit profile if you want them to match well.

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

Yes. Your username is part of your profile link. So update links on your website, social profiles, newsletters, QR codes, and other public places.

What step can you take first now?

First write down your desired username and two backup options. Check the spelling, meaning, and recognizability. Then make a list of your website, social profiles, and QR codes that point to TikTok.

Then go to Profile > Edit profile > Username. Save only when you are sure, because the 30-day rule can block a quick second change.

Finally, test your new profile link in a browser where you are not logged in. Update all important external links and tell your audience briefly that your name has changed. That way your TikTok account stays recognizable and easy to reach.