You can change your Snapchat username, but only once every 30 days

Snapchat lets you change the username you log in with, but the process has a hard limit: you can only make the change once per month. The change takes effect immediately, and your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days. If you change your mind within those 30 days, you can change it back to your previous username without waiting for the 30-day timer to reset — but after 30 days pass, that old username is gone for good.

The change happens in the Settings app on your phone. You will need to know your current password, and you cannot use a username that is already taken or one that violates Snapchat's community guidelines. The process takes less than five minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Snapchat username once every 30 days through the Settings menu on your phone.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use after 30 days, so choose carefully if you want to keep it.
  • You can change back to your previous username within 30 days without using up your monthly change.
  • Your display name (the name your friends see) is separate from your username and can be changed anytime.
  • Snapchat will not let you use a username that is already taken, contains certain words, or violates community guidelines.

How to change your username on iPhone

Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top-left corner. This takes you to your profile page. Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner to open Settings.

Scroll down and tap "Username". You will see your current username displayed. Tap the text field below it and type your new username. Snapchat will tell you immediately if the name is taken or not allowed. Once you have entered a username that is available, tap "Save" at the bottom of the screen. You will be asked to enter your password to confirm the change. Type it in and tap "Save" again.

The change takes effect right away. You will be logged out and will need to log back in with your new username the next time you open Snapchat.

How to change your username on Android

Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon, which is usually in the top-left corner of the screen. Tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Scroll down until you see "Username" and tap it. The screen will show your current username with a text field below. Tap the field and delete your old username, then type your new one. Snapchat checks in real time whether the name is available. Once you have a username that works, tap "Save".

Enter your password when prompted and tap "Save" again. You will be logged out automatically. The next time you open Snapchat, log in with your new username.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one does not disappear immediately. For 30 days, no one else can claim it, and you can change back to it without using your monthly change allowance. This is useful if you realize you made a mistake or want to go back to what your friends knew you as.

After 30 days pass, your old username becomes available for anyone to register. Snapchat does not hold it for you, and you cannot reclaim it later. If you think you might want to go back, make the switch within the 30-day window.

The difference between username and display name

Your username is what you use to log in and what people search for to add you. Your display name is what appears on your profile and in conversations with friends. They are separate, and you can change your display name as many times as you want with no restrictions.

If you only want to change how your name appears to friends, change your display name instead. Go to your profile, tap the gear icon, scroll to "Name", and type in whatever you want. This does not affect your login username or the 30-day change limit.

Usernames that Snapchat will not allow

Snapchat rejects usernames that are already taken, usernames that are too similar to ones already in use, and usernames that contain words or phrases that violate community guidelines. The app does not tell you exactly why a name was rejected — it just says the username is not available.

If a name you want is rejected and you are sure it is not taken, try removing numbers, periods, or underscores. Usernames with special characters sometimes trigger the filter. Keep the name simple, avoid words that could be offensive, and avoid impersonating real people or brands.

What to do if you cannot change your username

If you see a message saying you have already changed your username recently, you have hit the 30-day limit. You will have to wait until 30 days have passed since your last change. Snapchat does not let you bypass this, and contacting support will not speed it up.

If you are locked out of your account or cannot access Settings, make sure you are logged in. If you are still stuck, try logging out completely, closing the app, and logging back in. If the Settings menu is not showing up, update Snapchat to the latest version from your phone's app store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Yes, within 30 days of changing it. Go to Settings, tap Username, and type your old username. It will be available to you during this window and will not count against your monthly change limit. After 30 days, it becomes available to everyone else and you cannot reclaim it.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Your friends will still see you in their friends list and can message you normally. However, if someone new tries to search for you by your old username, they will not find you. They will need to search for your new username or have you add them directly.

What if the username I want is taken?

Snapchat will tell you the name is not available. You will need to choose a different username. Try adding numbers, underscores, or periods to make it unique. If the name belongs to someone inactive, Snapchat does not release old usernames, so you cannot claim it.

Do I need to tell my friends my new username?

Your existing friends will still have you in their contacts and can message you without knowing your new username. However, if you want new people to find you, they will need to search for your new username. You may want to update your username in your bio or let people know through other means.

Can I change my username on the web version of Snapchat?

No. Username changes are only available through the mobile app on iPhone or Android. You cannot change it through a web browser or desktop version.