You can change your Twitter handle anytime from your account settings

Your Twitter handle — the @username that appears in your profile — can be changed whenever you want, and it takes about two minutes. You do not need to create a new account or lose your followers. The change happens immediately across the platform, though it may take a few minutes for the old handle to stop working in search results.

The process is the same whether you use Twitter on the web, the mobile app for iPhone or Android, or TweetDeck. You will need to know your current password, and you should think through your new handle before you start, since Twitter limits how often you can change it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your account settings, select "Account" or "Username", and type your new handle directly into the field — no special characters or spaces are allowed.
  • Your new handle must be between 4 and 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores, but Twitter will reject it if someone else is already using it.
  • All your tweets, followers, and follower count stay with your account; only the @username changes.
  • If you change your handle and then change it back within 30 days, your old handle becomes available for anyone else to claim.

Step-by-step: changing your handle on the web

Start by logging into Twitter on a web browser. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner of the screen (or your profile picture if you are on the home feed), then select "Settings and privacy".

In the left sidebar, click "Account". Scroll down until you see the "Username" field — this is where your current @handle appears. Click on the field and delete your current handle, then type your new one. Twitter will check in real time whether the name is available; if it is taken, you will see a red X and a message saying the username is unavailable. If it is free, you will see a green checkmark.

Once you have typed a handle that is available, click the "Save" button. Twitter will ask you to re-enter your password for security. Type it in and click "Verify". Your new handle is now active.

Changing your handle on the mobile app

Open the Twitter app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Select "Settings and privacy", then tap "Account". Scroll to "Username" and tap on the field to edit it.

Delete your current handle and type the new one. The app will show you whether it is available as you type. When you have found one you want, tap "Save" at the top of the screen, then re-enter your password when prompted. The change takes effect immediately.

Rules for your new handle

Twitter handles must be between 4 and 15 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or periods — Twitter will reject the handle if you try.

Your handle cannot be the same as another user's current handle. However, if someone has not used their account in a very long time, Twitter may recycle that handle and make it available. If you see a handle you want that belongs to an inactive account, you cannot request it directly, but it may become available on its own.

There is no official limit on how often you can change your handle, but Twitter does rate-limit rapid changes to prevent abuse. If you change your handle multiple times in a short period, you may be temporarily blocked from changing it again. In practice, most users can change their handle once or twice a day without hitting this limit.

What happens to your old handle

When you change your handle, your old one does not disappear immediately. For 30 days, no one else can claim it — it is reserved under your account. If you change your mind within that window, you can change back to your old handle and it will still be yours.

After 30 days, your old handle becomes available for anyone else to register. This is important if you are leaving a handle behind that has built up followers or recognition: once those 30 days pass, someone else can take it. If you think you might want it back, change to it again before the deadline.

What stays the same when you change your handle

Your tweets, followers, and follower count all remain exactly as they were. People who follow you will still follow you under your new handle. Your direct messages, likes, and retweets are all tied to your account, not your handle, so they stay with you.

However, any links to your old profile — shared in other places online, in emails, or in documents — will no longer work. If you have your Twitter handle listed on a website, resume, or business card, you will need to update those manually. People who click an old link to your profile will see a message that the account does not exist, even though your account is still there under the new name.

Troubleshooting a handle change that did not work

If you tried to change your handle and got an error message, the most common reason is that the handle is already taken. Try a different variation — add a number, use an underscore, or shorten it. Make sure you are not using spaces, hyphens, or special characters, which Twitter does not allow in handles.

If you see a message saying you have changed your handle too many times recently, wait a few hours and try again. If you are still locked out after several hours, sign out of Twitter completely, wait 24 hours, and try once more. If the problem persists, you can report it through Twitter's help center, though responses can take several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

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. If they have you bookmarked or have your old link saved, that link will stop working.

Can I reserve a handle I want to use in the future?

No, Twitter does not have a reservation system for handles. You can only claim a handle by actually changing to it. If you want to secure a handle now but use it later, you would need to change to it immediately, then change back to your current handle before the 30-day window closes.

What if someone else took my old handle after I changed it?

If someone claimed your old handle after the 30-day grace period ended, you cannot get it back through Twitter support. Your only option is to contact that person directly and ask if they will change their handle. Twitter does not intervene in disputes over who owns a particular handle once it has been claimed.

Does changing my handle affect my verification badge?

No, if your account is verified (has a blue checkmark), the verification stays with your account regardless of what handle you use. The checkmark will appear next to your new handle immediately after the change.