How to Change Your Snap Name on Snapchat

Snapchat gives you two different types of names, and knowing which one you're trying to change makes all the difference. Many users run into confusion because they assume there's just one "name" on their account — but there are actually two distinct fields, each with its own rules, limitations, and update process.

The Difference Between Your Display Name and Your Username

Before changing anything, it helps to understand what you're actually editing.

Your display name is the friendly name other users see on your profile and in their contacts list. It can be anything — your real name, a nickname, or whatever you want — and it can be changed as often as you like without any major restrictions.

Your username is your unique Snapchat handle — the @name tied to your account. This is what people use to search for you and add you as a friend. Historically, Snapchat didn't allow username changes at all, but that policy has evolved. Snapchat now allows users to change their username, though with notable limitations.

How to Change Your Display Name 🖊️

This is the simpler of the two processes. Here's how it works:

1. Open Snapchat and tap your Bitmoji or profile icon in the top-left corner
2. Tap the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner
3. Under the "My Account" section, tap Name
4. Edit your first and last name fields
5. Tap Save

Your updated display name appears almost immediately across the app. Friends already connected with you will see the new name in their chat and friends list. There's no waiting period, no verification step, and no limit on how frequently you can update it.

How to Change Your Snapchat Username

Changing your actual username is more involved, and comes with a few important conditions worth understanding before you start.

The general process:

1. Open Snapchat and go to your Profile
2. Tap the Settings gear icon
3. Scroll to "My Account" and tap Username
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to enter a new username
5. Confirm the change

Snapchat typically requires you to confirm your identity during this process — usually via your registered email or phone number.

Key Limitations to Know

You can only change your username once per year. Once you've made a change, the option locks until the annual period resets. This is worth factoring in if you're debating between a couple of options.

Your old username becomes available to others. Unlike some platforms that hold onto previous usernames for a grace period, Snapchat may release your old handle after you've changed it. If your old username had meaning to you — or others knew you by it — that's worth considering before making the switch.

Snap Score and friends carry over. Changing your username doesn't affect your friend list, Snap Score, Streaks, or any other account data. The change is cosmetic from a data perspective.

Username availability isn't guaranteed. Your preferred new username may already be taken. Snapchat usernames must be between 3 and 15 characters, can include letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens, and are case-insensitive.

Platform Differences: iOS vs Android

The steps above apply broadly, but the exact location of menus and the visual layout can vary slightly between iOS and Android versions of Snapchat. Snapchat frequently rolls out interface updates in waves, so some users may see a slightly different settings structure depending on:

• Their app version (keeping the app updated generally ensures you have the latest options)
• Their operating system version
• Whether they're enrolled in any Snapchat beta programs

If you don't see a Username option under Settings, it's worth checking whether your app is fully up to date — older versions may not surface the username change feature at all.

What Happens to Your Snapcode and Friend Links

Your Snapcode (the unique scannable ghost image tied to your account) updates to reflect your new username automatically. However, any direct friend links or Snapchat URL links you previously shared (formatted as snapchat.com/add/yourusername) will no longer work after a username change. Anyone who saved or bookmarked your old link would need an updated one.

This is a meaningful consideration for users who share their Snapchat handle publicly — on social media bios, YouTube channels, business cards, or websites. The more widely your current username is distributed, the more friction a change introduces.

Variables That Affect Your Experience 🔍

The process sounds straightforward, but several factors shape how it plays out for any individual user:

Whether a username change is a minor, painless update or a more disruptive decision depends largely on how established your current handle is and where it lives across the internet.