How to change your name on Twitter (X)?

May 28, 2024

If you didn't put much thought into your username when you first joined, it might be that you're now wondering how to change your name on Twitter. With recent updates on the platform, now known as X, it's the perfect time for some makeover for you as well. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you change your Twitter name and handle in seconds!

Username vs. Display Name

Before getting to instructions on how to edit Twitter usernames, let’s understand the difference between handle/username and display name on X.

The username/handle refers to your unique identifier, preceded by the “@” symbol. It also appears in your Twitter profile URL. The Twitter handle must be 4-15 characters long and can only include letters, underscores and numbers.

However, your Twitter display name can be almost whatever you want it to be! The name can contain up to 50 characters, and you can put symbols and emojis in it! The only limitation here is that you can’t include words like “Twitter” or “Admin” in it since those are reserved for official Twitter accounts. This rule also applies to Twitter handles.

How to Change Your Twitter Handle

Here’s how to change your Twitter account name on your phone or desktop.

Launch Twitter (X) and tap on the profile icon located at the top left corner of your screen.
In the opened drop-down menu, scroll down to "Settings and Privacy", choose from the menu "Your Account", and then "Account Information."
Click on the "Username" section.
Enter your desired new handle. If it's taken or not available, Twitter will offer alternative suggestions. Upon selecting an available username, a green checkmark will confirm your choice.
Finally, tap "Done" to save your updated handle.

How to change your Twitter name

Now let’s learn how to change your name on Twitter on different devices.

Changing Twitter display name on the Web
Here’s how to update Twitter (X) name on your desktop.

Visit X.com using your preferred browser.
Click on the profile button in the quick navigation panel on the left side of the screen.
Under your header photo or banner, click on the "Edit Profile" button.
You’ll see your display name in the “Name” section. Tap on it and type your new name.
Click the "Save" button to confirm the changes.

How to change your Twitter name on Android and iOS

Do you prefer using Twitter (X) on your mobile device? Here’s an instruction on how to change Twitter username on your phone through the official Android/iOS app.

Open the official Twitter app on your device.
Swipe right and tap on your profile photo to access your account page.
Tap on the "Edit Profile" button located on the right side under your header.
In the “Edit Profile” page, you'll find your display name under the “Name” section. Enter your new name in the provided text field.
Tap the "Save" button to confirm and apply the changes.

How often can you change your Twitter username?

You can change your Twitter account name as much as you like, every day, every second. The same applies to the display name. However, social media experts do not recommend doing this often since your followers might not recognize you! After the update, consider notifying your followers through a post, explaining the reason behind the change. You can pin that post on your profile for a while until your followers get used to your new name.

Keep in mind that the username change process is harder if you have X Premium. When you update your username, the platform will automatically remove the blue checkmark from your profile. However, once your profile undergoes verification, the blue checkmark will be restored. You won’t be able to change your username again while undergoing the verification process.

Now that you know how to change your username on Twitter (X), you can take the next step towards a fresh start — deleting awkward old tweets that do not represent you anymore. If you're looking for assistance in this area, consider using Tweetdeleter for bulk-deleting your old posts. Get rid of outdated content and fully rebrand yourself on Twitter!