What you need to know before you change your handle

Your Twitter handle — the @username that appears in your profile — can be changed at any time from your account settings. The change takes effect immediately, and your old handle becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period. Twitter does not notify your followers that you have changed your handle, so if you want people to know where to find you, you will need to tell them yourself.

Before you change your handle, understand what happens: your old @username will be held for 30 days. During that time, no one else can take it. After 30 days, it opens to the public. If you think you might want that handle back later, you can reclaim it during the 30-day window by changing your handle again.

Your follower count, tweets, and all your account history stay with you. The change does not affect your account security or require you to log in again. You can change your handle as many times as you want, though doing it frequently may confuse people trying to find you.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your handle through Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Username — the whole process takes less than one minute.
  • Your old handle is reserved for 30 days, after which anyone can claim it.
  • All your tweets, followers, and account history move with you to your new handle.
  • Your followers are not automatically notified, so consider posting a tweet or updating your bio to tell people about the change.
  • You can change your handle back to a previous one during the 30-day hold period if you change your mind.

Step 1: Open your account settings

On the Twitter web version, click the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner of your screen (next to your profile picture). A dropdown menu will appear. Select "Settings and privacy" from the list.

On the Twitter mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner to open the menu. Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy."

You will be taken to a settings page. Look for the "Account" section on the left side of the screen (web) or scroll down to find it (mobile). Click or tap "Account."

Step 2: Find and click the username field

In the Account section, you will see a field labeled "Username" near the top. It shows your current @handle. Click or tap directly on the username field or on the pencil icon next to it to edit it.

A text box will open with your current handle highlighted. The @ symbol is already there — you only need to type the new username you want. Twitter will check in real time whether that handle is available. If it is taken, you will see a message saying so, and you will need to choose a different one.

Step 3: Save your new handle

Once you have typed a username that is available, look for a "Save" button or checkmark icon. Click or tap it to confirm the change. Twitter will process the change immediately, and you will see your new handle appear in your profile.

You may need to refresh the page to see the change reflected everywhere on your account. If you are on the mobile app, close and reopen it to make sure the new handle shows up in all places.

What to do after you change your handle

Your followers will still be following you, but they may not realize your handle has changed. If you have a significant following or if people search for you by your old handle, consider posting a tweet letting people know about the change. You can also update your bio to mention your new handle if you think it will help people find you.

If you change your mind within 30 days, you can change your handle back to the old one by repeating these steps. After 30 days, your old handle becomes available to the public, and you can only reclaim it if the person who took it is willing to give it back.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message that your desired handle is unavailable, it means someone else already has it. Try adding numbers, underscores, or slight variations. Twitter allows letters, numbers, and underscores in handles, but not spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods.

If the save button does not work, make sure you are logged into the correct account and that you have an active internet connection. Try refreshing the page and starting again. If the problem continues, try using a different web browser or clearing your browser cache.

If your new handle does not appear right away across all of Twitter, wait a few minutes and refresh your browser. Changes usually show up instantly, but occasionally there is a short delay. If it has been more than an hour and your handle still has not changed, log out and log back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else take my old handle after I change it?

Yes, but not immediately. Your old handle is reserved for 30 days. After that period ends, anyone can claim it. If you think you might want it back, change your handle again within the 30-day window to reclaim it.

Will my followers be notified when I change my handle?

No. Twitter does not send a notification to your followers. They will still be following you, but they may not know your handle has changed unless you tell them. Posting a tweet about the change is the most direct way to let people know.

Do I lose my tweets or followers when I change my handle?

No. Your entire account history, all your tweets, and all your followers move with you. The only thing that changes is the @username that appears next to your name.

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

Yes, but only within 30 days of changing it. After 30 days, your old handle becomes available to anyone, and you can only get it back if someone else has claimed it and is willing to change theirs.

How often can I change my handle?

Twitter does not limit how many times you can change your handle. However, changing it frequently may confuse people trying to find you or mention you in tweets, so most people change it only when necessary.