What you can change on Twitter and where to find it

Twitter lets you change your account name, email address, password, phone number, profile photo, bio, and display settings from your account settings page. The exact steps depend on whether you use Twitter on the web, iPhone, or Android, but all changes go through the same backend system. Most changes take effect immediately, though email and phone number changes require you to confirm the new contact information first.

To reach your account settings on the web, click the three-dot menu in the top left corner, select "Settings and privacy," then click "Account." On iPhone or Android, tap your profile icon, then tap "Settings and privacy" and "Account." From there, you'll see sections for personal information, security, and privacy — each one contains different things you can modify.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Twitter handle (the @username) can be changed once every 30 days, and changing it does not affect your followers or past tweets.
  • Email and phone number changes require you to enter a confirmation code sent to your old email or phone before the change takes effect.
  • Your password, display name, bio, and profile photo can be changed immediately without confirmation, and take effect right away.
  • Changing your email address does not log you out of other devices, but changing your password will sign you out everywhere except your current device.

Changing your Twitter handle and display name

Your Twitter handle is the @username that appears in your profile URL and in replies. You can change it once every 30 days. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information > Username, type your new handle, and click "Save." Twitter will tell you if the name is already taken or contains characters it does not allow.

Changing your handle does not affect your followers, your tweets, or your direct messages — people who follow you will still follow you, and your old tweets stay attached to your account. However, the old handle becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so if you want to reserve it, you'll need a second account.

Your display name is different from your handle. It's the name that appears at the top of your profile and in your tweets. You can change it as often as you want. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information > Name, type the new name, and click "Save." Display names can include spaces and special characters, and the change takes effect immediately.

Updating your email address and phone number

To change your email address, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information > Email address. Type your new email, then click "Change." Twitter will send a confirmation code to your old email address. Check your inbox (including spam), enter the code on Twitter, and your email will update.

If you no longer have access to your old email, you can add a phone number to your account first, then use that phone number to verify the email change instead. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information > Phone number, enter your number, and confirm the code Twitter texts you. Then try the email change again — Twitter will offer to send the confirmation code to your phone instead.

Changing your phone number follows the same process. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information > Phone number, enter the new number, and confirm the code. You must have access to the new phone to complete the change. If you're switching phones, do this before you lose access to your old one, or use your email address to verify instead.

Changing your password and security settings

To change your password, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Security and account access > Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click "Change password" and you're done. This change takes effect immediately, and Twitter will sign you out of all other devices and apps — you'll need to log back in on anything else you use.

Your current device stays logged in after a password change, so you won't be locked out. However, if you use Twitter on your phone, tablet, and computer, you'll need to enter your new password on each one. Third-party apps that connect to your Twitter account (like scheduling tools or analytics platforms) will also stop working until you re-authorize them with your new password.

If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" on the login page. Twitter will send a reset link to your email address or phone number. Click the link, create a new password, and log back in. This process works the same way whether you use the web or the mobile app.

Changing your profile photo, header, and bio

Your profile photo, header image, and bio are the most visible parts of your account. To change your profile photo, click your current photo on your profile page, select "Change photo," and choose an image from your device. Twitter accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP files up to 5 MB. The new photo appears immediately on your profile and in your tweets.

To change your header image, click the header area on your profile, select "Change header photo," and upload a new image. Headers can be up to 5 MB and should be at least 1500 pixels wide for the best appearance. You can also remove your header entirely by clicking the X that appears when you hover over it.

Your bio is the text description under your name. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information > Bio, type or paste your new bio (up to 160 characters), and click "Save." You can include links, hashtags, and emoji in your bio. Changes take effect immediately and appear on your profile right away.

Changing privacy and notification settings

Twitter has separate controls for who can see your tweets, who can message you, and what notifications you receive. To make your account private (so new followers need your approval), go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Audience and visibility, then toggle "Protect your posts" on. Existing followers will keep following you, but new people will have to request to follow.

To control who can message you, go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Direct messages. You can allow messages from anyone, from people you follow, or from nobody. You can also block specific people from messaging you without blocking them entirely.

Notification settings let you choose what alerts you receive and how. Go to Settings and privacy > Notifications to see options for likes, retweets, replies, follows, and mentions. You can turn notifications on or off for each type, and choose whether to receive them on the web, in the app, or via email. These settings are separate on each device, so you can have notifications on your phone but off on your computer.

What happens when you change account information

Most account changes take effect immediately and are visible to other users right away. However, changes to your email address and phone number require confirmation first, so there's a delay while you verify the new contact information. During that time, your old email or phone is still attached to your account.

If you change your password, Twitter logs you out of all other devices and apps except the one you're currently using. If you change your email address, you stay logged in everywhere — the change only affects how you log in next time. If you change your handle, your old tweets and followers stay with your account, but the old handle becomes available for someone else.

Twitter keeps a record of changes to your email address and phone number for security reasons. If someone gains access to your account and changes these details, you can contact Twitter support and provide proof of your identity to regain control. This is why keeping your password strong and enabling two-factor authentication is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not immediately. You can only change your handle once every 30 days. If you changed it and want to switch back, you'll have to wait 30 days from your last change. After that, the old handle might be taken by someone else, so you may not be able to reclaim it.

What if I don't remember my email address or phone number?

If you've lost access to both your email and phone, you can contact Twitter support through the help center. You'll need to provide information to prove you own the account, like your display name, when you created it, or details about your tweets. Support can help you regain access, but the process may take several days.

Do I need to change my password if I think someone else accessed my account?

Yes, change your password immediately. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Security and account access > Password and create a new one. Also check Settings and privacy > Security and account access > Sessions to see where your account is logged in, and sign out of any devices you don't recognize.

Will changing my email address affect my followers or tweets?

No. Your followers, tweets, likes, and retweets all stay attached to your account. Changing your email only affects how you log in and how Twitter contacts you. Your followers won't see any notification that you changed your email.

Can I change multiple things at once?

You can change most things independently — your display name, bio, and profile photo can all be changed in the same session. However, email and phone changes require separate confirmation codes, so you'll need to do those one at a time. Password changes also require you to enter your current password first.