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

Snapchat lets you change the username you log in with, but only once per month. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely within the app — you don't need to contact Snapchat support or use a computer. After you change it, your display name (the name friends see) stays the same unless you change that separately.

One thing to know upfront: you can't revert to an old username. Once you pick a new one, the old one becomes unavailable to you forever, even if you wait months. So think through what you want before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon, then tap your username to open the username change screen.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect immediately.
  • Your display name (what friends see) is separate from your username and won't change unless you edit it yourself.
  • Old usernames cannot be reclaimed, so choose carefully before confirming the change.
  • If you see an error message, wait a few minutes and try again — the app sometimes needs a moment to process.

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 opens your profile page. At the top, you'll see your username displayed — tap directly on it.

A text field will appear with your current username highlighted. Delete the old username and type the new one you want. Usernames can contain letters, numbers, periods, dashes, and underscores, but no spaces or special characters like @ or #. Snapchat will show you in real time whether the username is available — if it's taken, you'll see a message saying so, and you'll need to try a different one.

Once you've entered a username that's available, tap the checkmark or confirm button. The change happens right away. You'll see a confirmation message, and your new username is now active. You can log out and log back in with the new username to verify it worked.

What happens to your display name when you change your username

Your display name and your username are two separate things in Snapchat. Your username is what you use to log in and what other people use to add you. Your display name is the friendly name that appears next to your messages and on your profile — it's what your friends see.

Changing your username does not change your display name. If your display name was "Sarah" before, it stays "Sarah" after. Your friends won't see any notification that you changed your username. If you want to change your display name too, you can do that from the same profile screen — tap the display name field and edit it separately. Display names can be changed as often as you want, unlike usernames.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, Snapchat locks you out of making another change for 30 days. This is a hard limit — there's no way around it, and Snapchat support cannot override it. If you change your username on January 15th, you cannot change it again until February 14th at the earliest.

This matters because you can't test a username and then switch back if you don't like it. The old username is gone forever, and you're stuck with the new one for at least a month. Take time to think about what you want before you confirm the change.

Troubleshooting: what to do if the change doesn't work

If you tap your username and nothing happens, or if you see an error message, try closing Snapchat completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs a moment to load the username change screen. If that doesn't work, make sure you're on the latest version of Snapchat — go to your phone's app store (Google Play on Android, App Store on iPhone) and check for updates.

If you see a message saying "Username unavailable" when you try to confirm, that means someone else claimed it between the time you typed it and the time you hit confirm. This happens occasionally when a username is popular. Try a variation — add a number, a period, or an underscore — and try again.

If you see an error like "Something went wrong" or "Try again later," wait a few minutes. Snapchat's servers sometimes hiccup during the change process. Close the app, wait five minutes, and try again. If it keeps failing after several attempts, try changing your username from a different device or network (like switching from WiFi to mobile data) — this sometimes helps if there's a connection issue on your current network.

Why you might want to change your username

People usually change their Snapchat username for a few reasons. You might have created an account years ago with a username you don't like anymore, or you might want something more professional if you use Snapchat for work. You might also change it if your username contains personal information (like your real name or birth year) that you'd rather not have public.

Keep in mind that changing your username doesn't change your Snapcode — that's the unique code linked to your account that stays the same. Friends who have you added will still see you in their contacts, and you'll still see them. The change is mostly invisible to other people unless they try to search for your old username and can't find you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old username back after I change it?

No. Once you change your username, the old one is permanently unavailable to you. Snapchat does not allow you to reclaim old usernames, even if you wait months or years. This is why it's important to think carefully before you confirm a change.

Will my friends be notified when I change my username?

No, your friends won't see a notification. They'll still have you in their contacts under your Snapcode, and they can still message you. If they try to search for your old username, they won't find you, but they don't need to — you're already in their friends list.

What if I change my username and then immediately regret it?

You can change it again, but you'll have to wait 30 days. In the meantime, you're stuck with the new username. This is why testing the username before you confirm is a good idea — make sure it's spelled the way you want and that you actually like it.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Snapchat usernames can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), dashes (-), and underscores (_). Spaces, @ symbols, # symbols, and other special characters are not allowed. If you try to use them, Snapchat will reject the username.

Does changing my username affect my Snapchat score or saved messages?

No. Your Snapchat score, saved messages, memories, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Only the username you use to log in changes. Everything else on your account remains untouched.