You can change your Snapchat username once every 30 days through the app settings

Snapchat lets you change your username, but only once per month. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely in the app — there is no website version. After you change it, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days, so if you want to keep it reserved, you should not change it unless you are ready to let it go.

Your display name (the name friends see) is separate from your username (the handle people use to add you). You can change your display name as often as you want, but the username has the 30-day limit. This article covers changing the username itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon, then tap your username to open the change screen.
  • You can only change your username once every 30 days, and the old one becomes available to others after that period ends.
  • Snapchat will tell you immediately if a username is taken or contains blocked words.
  • Changing your username does not affect your friends list, snaps, or memories — only the handle people use to find you.
  • If you change your mind within 30 days, you cannot switch back to your old username unless no one else has claimed it.

Step-by-step: changing your username in Snapchat

Start by opening Snapchat and tapping your profile icon in the top-left corner of the camera screen. This takes you to your profile page. At the top, you will see your username displayed — tap directly on it to open the username change screen.

Type your new username into the text field. Snapchat usernames can be 2 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. As you type, Snapchat checks whether the name is available and shows you a green checkmark if it is free or a red X if it is taken or blocked.

Once you see the green checkmark, tap the confirm button (usually labeled "Save" or a checkmark icon, depending on your phone's operating system). Snapchat will confirm the change, and your new username is active immediately. Your friends do not need to re-add you — they can still message you and find you by your new username.

What happens to your old username

After you change your username, Snapchat holds your old one for 30 days. During this time, no one else can claim it, and you cannot switch back to it. After 30 days pass, the old username enters a pool of available names that anyone can claim.

If you realize you made a mistake within those 30 days, you have two options: change to a different new username (using your one monthly change), or wait and hope no one claims your old username by the time the 30-day hold expires. There is no way to reverse a username change or to extend the hold period.

Usernames versus display names: which one to change

Snapchat has two separate name fields, and many people confuse them. Your username is the handle — the one that appears with an @ symbol and is what people type to add you. Your display name is what your friends see in their contact list and in conversations.

You can change your display name as many times as you want by going to your profile, tapping the display name field (not the username), and typing a new one. This change takes effect immediately and does not have any waiting period. If you only want to update how your name appears to friends, change the display name instead.

Reasons your username change might fail

Snapchat will reject a username if it contains words on its blocked list, even if those words are part of a longer string. Common reasons for rejection include profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. Snapchat does not explain which specific word triggered the block — you simply see a red X and have to try a different combination.

A username is also rejected if someone else has already claimed it. If you see a red X and you are certain the name does not contain blocked words, the username is taken. Try adding a number, underscore, or period to create a variation.

If you have already changed your username once this month, Snapchat will not let you change it again until 30 days have passed from your last change. The app shows a message telling you when you will be able to change it next.

What stays the same after you change your username

Changing your username does not affect your Snapchat account in any other way. Your friends list remains intact, all your saved snaps and memories stay in place, your Snap Score does not reset, and your chat history with friends is unchanged. The only thing that changes is the handle people use to find and add you.

Friends who already have you added will continue to see you in their contact list under your display name. They do not need to re-add you or do anything on their end. If someone tries to add you using your old username after the 30-day hold expires, they will get a "user not found" message.

Choosing a username you will not want to change

Since you can only change your username once a month, it is worth thinking through your choice before you confirm it. Consider whether the name will still feel right in a year or two, whether it contains inside jokes that might not make sense later, and whether it is something you would be comfortable with in a professional context if your account is not private.

Snapchat does not let you reserve a username before claiming it, so if you have a specific name in mind, you should change to it as soon as you decide. If you wait, someone else might claim it first. Once you change to a new username, you cannot switch back to your old one unless it remains unclaimed after 30 days — and there is no way to may provide that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Snapchat enforces a strict 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed since your last change, the app will show you a message with the exact date you will be able to change it again. You cannot bypass this limit.

What if someone else takes my old username after I change it?

Once the 30-day hold expires, your old username is available to anyone. If someone claims it before you decide you want it back, you cannot get it back. You would have to contact Snapchat support, but they do not typically restore old usernames to previous owners. The best approach is to decide on your new username carefully before you change.

Do my friends have to re-add me if I change my username?

No. Friends who already have you added will continue to see you in their contact list and can message you without doing anything. Your username change only affects new people trying to find and add you — they will need to search for your new username.

Can I change my username on the Snapchat website?

No. Username changes can only be made through the Snapchat mobile app. There is no username change option on the web version of Snapchat or through the desktop app. You must use the phone app to make this change.

What if my username contains a blocked word and I do not know which one?

Snapchat does not tell you which specific word triggered the block. If you see a red X, try removing or replacing words one at a time until the checkmark turns green. You can also try adding numbers or underscores between letters to break up potential problem words, though this is not may provide to work.