You can change your Twitter handle in Settings in under a minute

Your Twitter handle — the @ name that appears in your profile URL and when people mention you — can be changed whenever you want. Go to Settings and Privacy, select Your Account, then Username, and type in a new handle. Twitter checks instantly whether it is taken. Once you confirm the change, your old handle becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days.

The change takes effect immediately across your entire account. Your tweets, followers, and follower count stay the same. People who had you bookmarked or saved your profile link will be redirected to your new handle automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Your handle change happens instantly and does not affect your tweets, followers, or account history.
  • Your old handle becomes available for others to use after 30 days, so choose carefully if you have built recognition under your current name.
  • If someone takes your old handle during that 30-day window, you cannot reclaim it — you would have to change to a different one.
  • Links to your profile automatically redirect to your new handle, but direct mentions of your old @ name in tweets will not update.

Step-by-step: changing your handle on web and mobile

On the web version of Twitter, click the three dots in the top left corner of the screen (or your profile picture if you are already on your profile page). Select Settings and Privacy. Choose Your Account, then Username. The current handle appears in a text field — delete it and type your new one. Twitter shows you whether the name is available in real time. Click Save when you have chosen one you want.

On the Twitter mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner, then Settings and Privacy. Go to Your Account, then Username, and follow the same steps. The process is identical on both iOS and Android.

Twitter does not send a confirmation email or ask you to verify the change. Once you click Save, the new handle is live. You will be logged out and logged back in automatically.

What happens to your old handle

When you change your handle, Twitter reserves your old one for 30 days. During this time, no one else can claim it. After 30 days, it becomes available to anyone. If you want to keep the old handle in your control, you can change back to it at any time during the 30-day window — just go through Settings again and type it in.

If someone else claims your old handle after the 30 days are up, you cannot force them to give it back. This matters most if you have built a reputation or brand under that name. If your handle is tied to your professional identity or business, think carefully before changing it.

Handles that Twitter will not let you use

Twitter blocks certain handles from being claimed by anyone. These include handles that impersonate Twitter staff, famous people, or brands — though the actual account holders can use them. You also cannot use a handle that is already taken by an active account, or one that was recently used by a suspended or deleted account (Twitter holds these for a period before releasing them).

If you try to use a handle and Twitter says it is unavailable, it is either taken, reserved, or suspended. Try a variation — adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations usually works. Twitter allows letters, numbers, and underscores in handles, and they can be up to 15 characters long.

How mentions and links work after you change your handle

When you change your handle, old tweets that mention your previous @ name do not automatically update. If someone tweeted "@oldhandle check this out" before you changed, that mention will not link to your new account. However, if someone clicks on your profile from anywhere on Twitter and then shares the link, they will get your new handle in the URL.

Your follower list, likes, and retweets all stay attached to your account regardless of the handle change. People who follow you will continue to follow your new handle without having to do anything.

Changing your handle if your account is suspended or locked

If your account is locked or suspended, you cannot change your handle until Twitter restores access. If you are locked out temporarily (usually for suspicious activity), you will need to verify your identity or phone number first. Once your account is unlocked, you can change your handle normally through Settings.

If your account is permanently suspended, you cannot change the handle. The account and its handle become inaccessible, though the handle does not immediately become available to others — Twitter holds suspended account handles for an extended period.

Reasons to think twice before changing your handle

If you have been using the same handle for years and people know you by it, changing it can make you harder to find. Your followers will still follow you, but new people searching for your old name will not land on your account. If you run a business or have a professional presence on Twitter, a handle change can disrupt your discoverability.

Changing your handle also does not change your display name — the name that appears above your handle on your profile. You can have a display name like "Sarah Chen" and a handle like @sarahchen, and you can change either one independently. If you want people to find you by a name you used to go by, keeping it as your display name while changing your handle is a middle ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old handle back if someone else took it?

No. Once the 30-day hold expires and someone else claims your old handle, you cannot reclaim it. Twitter does not force users to give up handles. If your old handle is important to you, change back to it during the 30-day window before it becomes available to others.

Will my followers see that I changed my handle?

Your followers will not receive a notification about the change, but they will see your new handle the next time they visit your profile or see one of your tweets. They remain followers automatically — they do not have to re-follow you.

Can I change my handle more than once?

Yes. You can change your handle as many times as you want, as long as the new handle is not taken. There is no limit on how often you can change it. However, changing it frequently can confuse people trying to find you, so most accounts stick with one handle long-term.

Does changing my handle affect my Twitter verification badge?

No. If your account has a verification badge (the blue checkmark), it stays with your account when you change your handle. The badge is tied to your account, not to the specific handle you use.

What if the handle I want is taken by an inactive account?

You cannot claim a handle that is currently in use, even if the account has not posted in years. The only way to get it is if that account is deleted or suspended. Twitter does not release handles from inactive accounts. You would need to choose a different handle.