How to Change Your X (Twitter) Username

Whether you're rebranding your personal brand, fixing a typo, or upgrading to a more professional handle, changing your X (formerly Twitter) username is quick and flexible. Unlike other platforms, X allows unlimited username changes with no waiting period. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know.

Step-by-Step: How to Change Your X Username

1On Mobile (iOS & Android)

•Open the X app and tap your Profile icon
•Tap Settings and privacy
•Tap Your account > Account information
•You may need to enter your password to verify
•Tap Username
•Enter your new username (15 characters max, letters, numbers, underscores only)
•Tap Done

2On Desktop (x.com / twitter.com)

•Go to x.com and log in
•Click More in the left sidebar
•Select Settings and privacy
•Click Your account > Account information
•Enter your password if prompted
•Click Username
•Enter your new username
•Click Save

No Waiting Period: X's Flexibility

✓ Unlimited Changes Available

X allows you to change your username as many times as you want with no restrictions or waiting periods. This is more flexible than TikTok (30 days) or Twitch (60 days), giving you freedom to rebrand whenever needed.

•The Risk of Flexibility: While unlimited changes are allowed, frequent username changes confuse followers, hurt brand recognition, and can make you appear untrustworthy. X's algorithm may also view excessive changes as suspicious behavior.
•Immediate Availability: The moment you change your username, your old one becomes available to anyone. Popular usernames are often claimed within seconds, so you cannot easily revert if you change your mind.
•Best Practice: Treat your username as a permanent brand asset. Even though you can change it anytime, only do so for strategic rebrand, not on impulse. Test it with trusted contacts first.
•Secure Across Platforms: Before changing, use Handle Grab to verify your new username is available on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms for consistent cross-platform branding.

What Happens When You Change Your Username?

✓What Stays the Same

•All your followers remain
•All your posts and replies
•All likes, bookmarks, and lists
•Your verification badge (if you have one)
•Direct messages and conversations
•Your display name, bio, and profile picture
•Moments, Lists, and Collections

✗What Changes

•Your @username in all mentions
•Your profile URL (x.com/newusername)
•How people tag and mention you
•Old username becomes available immediately
•External links may not redirect properly
•Embedded tweets show new username
•Third-party tools may need re-authentication

X Username Rules & Restrictions

•Character Limit: Maximum 15 characters. This is shorter than most platforms (Instagram allows 30, TikTok allows 24).
•Allowed Characters: Only letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_). No spaces, periods, hyphens, or special symbols.
•No Consecutive Underscores: While underscores are allowed, you cannot have multiple underscores in a row (e.g., user__name is invalid).
•Case Insensitive: X usernames are not case-sensitive. @YourBrand and @yourbrand are treated as the same username.
•Unique Requirement: Must be unique across all of X. No two accounts can have the same username.
•Content Guidelines: Cannot contain offensive language, impersonate others, or mislead users. X reserves the right to reclaim inappropriate or misleading usernames.

Common Problems & Solutions

Problem: "That username has been taken"

Solution: The username is in use by another account. Try variations with underscores or numbers within the 15-character limit. Use Handle Grab to monitor when your desired username becomes available.

Problem: "Username is too long"

Solution: X has a strict 15-character maximum. Shorten your desired username by using abbreviations, removing vowels, or using numbers instead of words.

Problem: "Your username can only contain letters, numbers and '_'"

Solution: Remove spaces, periods, hyphens, and special characters. X only allows letters, numbers, and single underscores (no consecutive underscores).

Problem: "Something went wrong. Try again."

Solution: Temporary server issue or too many rapid changes. Wait 5-10 minutes and try again. Clear your browser cache or try the mobile app instead of desktop (or vice versa).

Problem: "Can't access Account Information settings"

Solution: Your account may have temporary restrictions due to suspicious activity. Wait 24-48 hours or contact X Support. Verify your email and phone number to lift restrictions.

Best Practices for Changing Your X Username

✓Pin an Announcement Post: Create and pin a post to your profile announcing your username change. Include both old and new usernames so followers understand the rebrand.
✓Update Bio Temporarily: Add "Formerly @oldusername" to your bio for 2-4 weeks to help long-time followers recognize you during the transition period.
✓Update All Platforms: Immediately change your username on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, and other social platforms to maintain consistent branding everywhere.
✓Update Marketing Materials: Change your handle on business cards, email signatures, website footer, media kits, and any printed materials.
✓Post Multiple Times: Don't rely on one announcement post. Mention your new username in multiple posts over the first week to ensure maximum visibility.
✓Notify Important Contacts: DM or email brands, partners, journalists, and collaborators about your username change so they can update their records.
✓Update Link-in-Bio Tools: If you use Linktree, Beacons, or similar services, update your X handle immediately in those platforms.
✓Monitor Old Username: Use Handle Grab to monitor your old username. If someone claims it and impersonates you, report them to X immediately.

Username vs Display Name: Key Differences

Username (@handle)

•Must be unique across X
•Used for @mentions and tags
•Appears in URL (x.com/username)
•Can change unlimited times
•Maximum 15 characters
•Letters, numbers, underscores only

Display Name

•Does not need to be unique
•Appears at top of your profile
•Not used in URLs or @mentions
•Can change anytime, unlimited
•Maximum 50 characters
•Allows spaces, emojis, most characters

Pro Tip: Use a short, memorable username (@yourname) within the 15-character limit, and a more creative display name with emojis (Your Name ✨ | Entrepreneur). This balances discoverability with personality.

Need to Secure a Taken Username?

If your dream X 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 X and all major platforms, notifying you instantly when your desired username becomes free.

How to Change X (Twitter) Username FAQ

How often can I change my X (Twitter) username?

X (formerly Twitter) allows you to change your username as many times as you want with no waiting period. Unlike TikTok's 30-day rule or Twitch's 60-day restriction, you can change it multiple times per day if needed. However, frequent changes can confuse followers and hurt your brand.

Will I lose my followers if I change my X username?

No, you will not lose any followers when you change your X username. All your followers, posts, likes, bookmarks, lists, and direct messages remain intact. Your followers will automatically follow your new username, though they may be temporarily confused.

What happens to my old X username after I change it?

Your old username becomes immediately available for anyone else to claim once you change it. X does not reserve or hold your previous username. If you want to reclaim it later, someone else might have already taken it. This is a critical consideration before changing.

Can I change my X username if someone else already has it?

No, you cannot change to a username that's currently taken by another account. X 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 X (Twitter) username?

Common reasons include: 1) The username is already taken, 2) It violates X's Terms of Service, 3) It contains prohibited characters (only letters, numbers, underscores allowed), 4) It exceeds 15 characters, 5) Your account has temporary restrictions, or 6) Technical issues with X's servers.

Will changing my X username affect my verification badge?

If you have a verified badge (blue checkmark from X Premium or legacy verification), changing your username does not remove it. However, the username must still comply with X's guidelines. Verified accounts should maintain consistent branding.

Do old tweets and mentions update with my new X username?

Yes, when someone mentioned you with @oldusername, those mentions automatically redirect to your new username. However, external links, screenshots, or bookmarked URLs with your old username may not automatically redirect and could appear broken.

Should I announce my X username change to followers?

Yes! Pin a post announcing your username change to your profile. This prevents confusion and helps followers recognize you. Many users also temporarily add 'formerly @oldusername' to their bio or display name for a few weeks during the transition.

Can I change my X username back to my previous one?

Only if no one else has claimed it. Your old username becomes immediately available when you change it. If someone takes it within seconds (which often happens with popular names), you cannot reclaim it unless they release it or delete their account.

What's the difference between X username and display name?

Your username (@handle) is unique, used for mentions, and appears in your URL. Your display name appears at the top of your profile, doesn't need to be unique, can include spaces and emojis, and can be changed anytime without restrictions.