How to Change Your Instagram Username
Whether you're rebranding your personal brand, fixing a typo, or simply want a more professional handle, changing your Instagram username is quick and easy. Unlike other platforms, Instagram allows unlimited username changes with no waiting period. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Instagram Username
1On Mobile (iOS & Android)
- •Open the Instagram app and tap your Profile icon (bottom right)
- •Tap Edit Profile below your bio
- •Tap on the Username field
- •Enter your new username (up to 30 characters, letters, numbers, periods, underscores only)
- •Tap the checkmark (✓) or Done in the top right corner
- •Your username changes immediately—no confirmation needed
2On Desktop (instagram.com)
- •Go to instagram.com and log in
- •Click your Profile picture in the bottom left
- •Click Edit Profile button
- •Click in the Username field
- •Enter your new username
- •Click Submit or press Enter
No Waiting Period: Instagram's Flexibility
✓ Great News: Unlimited Changes
Unlike TikTok (30 days), Twitter (no limit but risky), or YouTube (limited changes), Instagram allows unlimited username changes with no waiting period. You can change your username multiple times per day if needed.
- •The Downside of Flexibility: While you can change unlimited times, frequent changes confuse followers, hurt brand recognition, and make it harder for people to find you. Instagram's algorithm may also view frequent changes as suspicious behavior.
- •Best Practice: Even though you can change anytime, treat your username like a brand asset. Test it thoroughly before committing, and only change when absolutely necessary for rebranding or strategic reasons.
- •Temporary Restrictions: If Instagram detects suspicious activity or multiple rapid changes, they may temporarily restrict username changes for security. This is rare but can happen with excessive changes.
- •Secure First: Use Handle Grab to check if your desired username is available across all platforms (TikTok, Twitter, YouTube) before changing, ensuring consistent branding everywhere.
What Happens When You Change Your Username?
✓What Stays the Same
- •All your followers remain
- •All your posts, Reels, and Stories
- •All likes, comments, and saved posts
- •Your verification badge (if you have one)
- •Your display name, bio, and profile picture
- •Direct messages and conversations
- •Story highlights and saved collections
✗What Changes
- •Your @username in all mentions and tags
- •Your profile URL (instagram.com/newusername)
- •How people tag you in posts and stories
- •Old username becomes available immediately
- •External links with old username may break
- •QR codes with old username no longer work
- •Business cards/marketing materials outdated
Instagram Username Rules & Restrictions
- •Character Limit: Maximum 30 characters. No minimum length, but very short usernames (1-2 characters) are rarely available.
- •Allowed Characters: Only letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), periods (.), and underscores (_). No spaces, hyphens, or special symbols.
- •Period Restrictions: Cannot start or end with a period, and cannot have multiple periods in a row (e.g., user..name is invalid).
- •Unique Requirement: Must be unique across all of Instagram. No two accounts can have the same username.
- •Content Guidelines: Cannot contain offensive, misleading, or trademarked terms. Instagram reserves the right to reclaim inappropriate usernames.
- •Case Insensitive: Instagram usernames are not case-sensitive. @YourBrand and @yourbrand are considered the same.
Common Problems & Solutions
Problem: "This username isn't available"
Solution: The username is taken. Try variations with periods, underscores, or numbers. Use Handle Grab to monitor when your desired username becomes available if someone releases it.
Problem: "Something went wrong. Please try again later."
Solution: Temporary server issue or you've made too many recent changes. Wait 15-30 minutes and try again. Clear app cache or try on desktop instead.
Problem: "Username contains invalid characters"
Solution: You're using prohibited characters. Remove spaces, hyphens, special symbols (!@#$%), and ensure no periods at the start, end, or consecutively.
Problem: "Username can't be used. Please try another"
Solution: The username violates community guidelines (offensive, impersonation, trademark issues). Choose a different name that complies with Instagram's policies.
Problem: "Can't edit profile or username field is grayed out"
Solution: Your account may have a temporary restriction. This can happen with new accounts, after suspicious activity, or if you're logged in through a business tool. Wait 24-48 hours or contact Instagram support.
Best Practices for Changing Your Instagram Username
- ✓Announce Before You Change: Post a Story and feed post 24 hours before changing, showing your new username. Use stickers and polls to engage followers with the news.
- ✓Update Bio Temporarily: After changing, add "Formerly @oldusername" to your bio for 2-4 weeks so long-time followers can recognize you.
- ✓Update All Platforms: Immediately change your username on TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, and other social platforms to maintain consistent branding across all channels.
- ✓Update Marketing Materials: Change your username on business cards, email signatures, website, link-in-bio tools, and any printed materials.
- ✓Pin an Announcement Post: Create a pinned Story highlight called "Username Change" or similar so new visitors understand the rebrand.
- ✓Notify Collaborators: Email brands, partners, and collaborators about your username change so they can update their records and tag you correctly in future content.
- ✓Update Link in Bio Services: If you use Linktree, Beacons, or similar services, update your Instagram handle in those platforms immediately.
- ✓Monitor Old Username: Use Handle Grab to monitor your old username. If someone claims it and impersonates you, report them to Instagram immediately.
Username vs Display Name: Key Differences
Username (@handle)
- •Must be unique across Instagram
- •Used for @mentions and tags
- •Appears in URL (instagram.com/username)
- •Can change unlimited times
- •Limited to 30 characters
- •Letters, numbers, periods, underscores only
Display Name (Name)
- •Does not need to be unique
- •Appears at top of your profile
- •Not used in URLs or @mentions
- •Can change anytime, unlimited
- •Allows spaces, emojis, and most characters
- •Shows in search and notifications
Pro Tip: Use a clean, SEO-friendly username (@yourname or @yourbrand) for your handle, and a more creative display name with emojis and personality (Your Name ✨ | Content Creator). This balances discoverability with branding.
Need to Secure a Taken Username?
If your dream Instagram username is already taken, don't give up! Many usernames become available when users change their handles or delete accounts. Handle Grab monitors username availability 24/7 across Instagram and all major platforms, notifying you the instant your desired username becomes free.
How to Change Instagram Username FAQ
How often can I change my Instagram username?
Instagram allows you to change your username as many times as you want with no waiting period or restrictions. Unlike TikTok's 30-day rule, you can change it multiple times per day if needed. However, frequent changes can confuse followers and hurt your brand recognition.
Will I lose my followers if I change my Instagram username?
No, you will not lose any followers when you change your Instagram username. All your followers, posts, stories, highlights, likes, comments, and direct messages remain intact. However, followers may be temporarily confused if they don't recognize your new username.
What happens to my old Instagram username after I change it?
Your old username becomes immediately available for anyone else to claim once you change it. Instagram does not reserve or hold your old username. If you want to reclaim it later, someone else might have already taken it. Consider this carefully before changing.
Can I change my Instagram username if someone else already has it?
No, you cannot change to a username that's already taken by another account. Instagram usernames must be unique across the entire platform. If your desired username is taken, try variations or use Handle Grab to monitor when it becomes available.
Why can't I change my Instagram username?
Common reasons include: 1) The username is already taken, 2) It violates Instagram's community guidelines, 3) It contains prohibited characters (only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores allowed), 4) It's too long (30 character maximum), 5) You have a temporary account restriction, or 6) Technical issues with Instagram's servers.
Do I need to change my Instagram display name too?
No, your display name (shown at the top of your profile) and username (@handle) are separate. You can change your display name anytime without affecting your username. Many users keep a consistent display name while optimizing their username for branding and searchability.
Will changing my Instagram username affect my verification badge?
If you have a verified badge (blue checkmark), changing your username does not remove it. However, the username must still comply with Instagram's guidelines. Verified accounts should maintain consistent branding to preserve their established identity.
Can other people still find my old Instagram posts and tags?
Yes, your old posts remain visible, but your username in tags and mentions automatically updates to your new handle. However, external links or saved bookmarks with your old username URL may not automatically redirect and could break.
Should I tell my followers about my username change?
Yes! Post a story and feed post announcing your username change before or immediately after making it. This prevents confusion, maintains trust, and ensures followers can still find and tag you. Add a temporary note to your bio like 'Formerly @oldusername'.
Can I change my Instagram username back to my previous username?
Only if no one else has claimed it. Your old username becomes immediately available to others when you change it. If someone takes it, you cannot reclaim it unless they release it. Act quickly if you want to revert to a previous username.