You can change your TikTok username directly in the app settings, and it takes about two minutes
Your TikTok username is the handle that appears after the @ symbol on your profile — the name other users see and use to find you. You can change it whenever you want, as many times as you want, with no waiting period between changes. The process is the same whether you use TikTok on your phone or on a computer.
Changing your username does not affect your followers, your videos, your likes, or anything else on your account. People who follow you will still see your videos in their feed. Any links to your old profile will automatically redirect to your new one. The only thing that changes is the handle itself.
Key Takeaways
- Open TikTok, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then tap the three lines menu and select "Edit profile" to reach the username field.
- Your new username must be between 2 and 24 characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot include spaces or special characters like hyphens or dollar signs.
- If the username you want is already taken, TikTok will tell you immediately and you will need to choose a different one.
- You can change your username back to a previous one at any time, even if someone else is using it now — TikTok does not reserve old usernames.
How to change your username on the TikTok app
Start by opening TikTok and tapping the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. It looks like a person's head and shoulders. This takes you to your profile page.
Next, tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the top right corner of your profile. A list of options will appear. Scroll down and tap "Edit profile." This opens a page where you can change your username, display name, bio, and other profile details.
Find the "Username" field near the top of the edit profile page. Tap it to select the text, then delete your current username and type in the new one you want. As you type, TikTok will check whether that username is available. If it is taken, you will see a red message saying so. If it is available, you will see a green checkmark. Once you have chosen an available username, tap the checkmark or "Save" button at the top of the screen to confirm the change.
How to change your username on TikTok's website
If you prefer to use a computer, log into TikTok.com with your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then click "Edit profile" from the dropdown menu that appears.
On the edit profile page, locate the "Username" field and click on it. Delete your current username and type the new one. TikTok will show you whether it is available as you type. Once you have chosen a username that is not taken, click the save button to apply the change.
Rules for choosing a new TikTok username
TikTok usernames must be between 2 and 24 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, dollar signs, or other special characters. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, TikTok will not let you save the username.
Usernames are not case-sensitive, which means @MyName and @myname are treated as the same username. You cannot have two accounts with usernames that differ only in capitalization. Keep in mind that while you are typing, TikTok checks availability in real time, so you will know right away if someone else is using the name you want.
What happens to your old username
When you change your username, your old one becomes available for someone else to use immediately. TikTok does not hold old usernames in reserve. This means if you change from @sarah_2024 to @sarah_creative, another user could claim @sarah_2024 within seconds.
If you think you might want to use your old username again in the future, you have two options: change back to it right away if no one has claimed it yet, or create a second account and reserve the old username there. Your followers will not be affected either way — they will continue to follow your main account under your new username.
Fixing common username change problems
If you see an error message saying your username is unavailable, it means someone else is using it. Try adding a number, period, or underscore to make it unique. For example, if @jordan is taken, you could try @jordan.2024 or @jordan_music.
If the save button is not working or grayed out, check that your username meets TikTok's requirements: it must be 2 to 24 characters and contain only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. If you have used a space or special character by accident, delete it and try again. If the problem continues, try logging out and back in, or close the app completely and reopen it.
If you changed your username but it is not showing up on your profile right away, wait a few minutes. Sometimes the change takes a moment to appear across all of TikTok's servers. Refresh your profile page by pulling down on the screen (on mobile) or pressing F5 (on a computer).
Changing your display name versus your username
TikTok has two separate name fields that are easy to confuse. Your username is the handle that appears after the @ symbol and is what people use to search for you or tag you in comments. Your display name is the name that appears at the top of your profile in larger text, and it can include spaces, emojis, and special characters.
You can change your display name as often as you want with no restrictions, but your username follows the stricter rules listed above. If you want a name with spaces or special characters, put it in your display name field instead. For example, you could have the username @sarahmusic and the display name "Sarah's Music Studio ✨".
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to one I used before?
Yes, you can change back to any previous username at any time, as long as no one else is using it now. If someone has claimed your old username, you will need to wait for them to change it, or you can choose a different username. There is no way to reserve or reclaim a username that someone else is actively using.
How often can I change my TikTok username?
You can change your username as many times as you want with no limit or waiting period. You could change it multiple times in a single day if you wanted to. However, changing your username very frequently might confuse your followers, so most people change it only when they have a good reason.
Will my followers disappear if I change my username?
No. Your followers stay with your account no matter what username you use. They will see your new username on your profile and in their feed, but they will not be unfollowed. All your videos, likes, and comments remain on your account as well.
What if I see a message saying I cannot change my username right now?
This usually means you recently changed your username and TikTok is enforcing a brief cooldown period. Wait a few hours and try again. If the message persists, log out completely, wait 30 minutes, and log back in. If you still cannot change it, contact TikTok support through the app by going to Profile > Menu > Settings and Privacy > Help > Report a Problem.
Can I use special characters like hyphens or dollar signs in my username?
No. TikTok only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores in usernames. Hyphens, dollar signs, hashtags, and other special characters will cause an error. If you want to use those characters, add them to your display name instead, which has no restrictions.