You can change your Twitter handle anytime, and it takes about two minutes

Your Twitter handle — the @username that appears in your profile — can be changed whenever you want, directly from your account settings. Twitter does not charge you, does not require you to wait between changes, and does not delete your old tweets or followers when you switch. The change takes effect immediately across the platform.

The process is the same whether you use Twitter on a computer or phone. You will need to know your current password, and you should think through what your new handle will be before you start, since the system checks availability in real time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Twitter handle changes instantly and does not affect your followers, tweets, or account history.
  • You can change your handle as many times as you want, with no waiting period between changes.
  • If someone else takes your old handle after you change it, you cannot reclaim it — so think carefully before switching.
  • The change requires your password, so make sure you have it before you start.
  • Your new handle must be between 4 and 15 characters and can include letters, numbers, and underscores only.

How to change your handle on a computer

Open Twitter in your web browser and sign in if you are not already logged in. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the screen, then select "Settings and privacy" from the dropdown menu.

Click "Account" in the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see the "Username" field — this shows your current handle. Click on the field and type your new handle. Twitter will immediately show you whether that handle is available; if it is taken, you will see a red X and will need to choose something else.

Once you have entered a handle that is available, click "Save" or press Enter. Twitter will ask you to confirm your password. Type it in and click "Verify" or "Confirm". Your new handle is now active.

How to change your handle on your phone

Open the Twitter app and tap the three-line menu icon (sometimes called a hamburger menu) in the top left corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy", then tap "Account".

Tap "Username" to open the field. Delete your current handle and type in your new one. As on the computer version, Twitter shows you instantly whether the name is available. Once you have chosen an available handle, tap "Save" or the checkmark icon.

You will be asked to enter your password. Type it in and tap "Confirm". The change takes effect immediately, and you will see your new handle displayed in your profile.

What happens to your old handle

When you change your handle, your old one becomes available for anyone else to claim. Twitter does not hold it for you, and you cannot reserve it. If you think you might want to use your old handle again in the future, you should not change it — or you should be prepared that someone else might take it.

All of your tweets, followers, and account history stay with your account under your new handle. People who were following you will still be following you; they will just see your new @username in their feed. If you had a custom URL (like twitter.com/youroldhandle), that will no longer work, but Twitter will redirect it to your new profile for a short time.

Rules for what your new handle can be

Your handle must be between 4 and 15 characters long. You can use letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores only — no spaces, hyphens, periods, or other symbols. Twitter treats uppercase and lowercase the same way, so @JohnSmith and @johnsmith are considered the same handle.

You cannot use a handle that is already taken, even if the account is inactive or suspended. If the handle you want is taken and the account looks abandoned, you can report it to Twitter, but there is no may provide Twitter will release it.

If you cannot remember your password

If you have forgotten your password and cannot complete the change, you will need to reset it first. On the Twitter sign-in page, click "Forgot password?" and follow the steps to reset it using your email address or phone number. Once you have set a new password, you can go back to Settings and change your handle.

If you no longer have access to the email address or phone number associated with your account, the process is more complicated. You will need to contact Twitter's support team through their help center and provide proof that you own the account.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is changing your handle without thinking it through, then realizing someone else has claimed your old one. Take a moment to decide on your new handle before you start the process.

Another mistake is typing your new handle incorrectly and not noticing the typo before you save. Twitter shows you the handle you typed, so read it carefully before you confirm. If you do make a typo, you can change it again immediately — there is no penalty for multiple changes.

Do not assume that changing your handle makes your account private or changes who can see your tweets. Your privacy settings are separate from your handle. If you want to limit who sees your account, you will need to adjust those settings separately in your privacy and safety options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my followers be notified that I changed my handle?

No, Twitter does not send a notification to your followers when you change your handle. They will see your new @username the next time they visit your profile or see your tweets in their feed. Some people post a tweet announcing the change so their followers know it is still them.

Can I change my handle back to what it was before?

Only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If your old handle is still available, you can change back to it anytime. If someone else has taken it, you cannot use it unless they change their handle first.

How long does it take for the change to show up everywhere on Twitter?

The change is instant. Your new handle will appear in your profile, your tweets, and your mentions right away. However, it may take a few minutes for search results and some third-party apps to catch up.

Can I change my handle if my account is suspended?

No, you cannot change your handle while your account is suspended. You will need to appeal the suspension or wait for it to be lifted. Once your account is active again, you can change your handle normally.

Is there a limit to how many times I can change my handle?

Twitter does not publish a limit, and most users can change their handle as many times as they want. However, if you change it extremely frequently in a short time, Twitter may temporarily restrict the feature as a security measure.