How to Change a Twitter Username

You've signed up with the Twitter handle doesn't have to be the one you're stuck with for ever. Just like the display name of your Twitter account, you can also change a Twitter handle (also called your Twitter username) simply by accessing your account settings, whether you are on the desktop website or mobile apps on Twitter.

What Is a Twitter Handle?

Simply put, the username associated with your account is a Twitter handle; the name that begins with an "@." You can also find the username by looking at the URL of the public profile of your Twitter account; the handle is the last part of the URL after the.com.

Twitter handles are not the same as your display name, because your display name on Twitter is not a username. Essentially, your username / handle makes your account exclusive. Most people on Twitter may have the same display name as you, but nobody should have the same handle as you; this is your unique identifier on this website for social networking.

Why Change Your Twitter Handles

A person might want to change their Twitter handle for a lot of reasons. The username they picked out years ago may no longer reflect their personality. Sometimes for professional reasons people decide to use their Twitter account and would like to have a more technical or marketable username rather than a stupid one. Maybe a person got married and want to put their new last name in their handle.

Oftentimes, a person can just be bored with the handle they've always had. Regardless of the reason, Twitter has made changing your handle pretty easy.

How to Change Your Twitter Username

There are two main methods to update your Twitter username: using a computer, or using the mobile app on Twitter. Eventually, which one you select would likely depend on which system you intend to use to change your username.

USING A COMPUTER

1. Log in to your Twitter account via the desktop website.
2. Select your profile icon, which should be located in the top right side of your screen.
3. When a menu appears, select Settings and privacy.
4. Within the Account section, edit your handle in the Username text box located. Once you pick out a new handle, Twitter will check to make sure it's unique to use. If someone else already has your new username, Twitter will ask you to pick another handle.

5. Once you're satisfied with your new handle, select Save changes at the bottom of the screen.

6. A dialog box will pop up asking for your password to confirm the change you're making. Input your password, then select Save changes.

USING THE TWITTER MOBILE APP

1. Open the Twitter app on your iOS or Android device.
2. If you're not logged in already, log in to your Twitter account.
3. Tap your profile icon. It should be in the top left corner of your screen.
4. Tap Settings and privacy.
5. Tap Account.
6. Tap Username.
7. Enter your new username. As long as no one else picked that username, Twitter will accept it. Otherwise, Twitter will ask you to enter another one.

8. Once you're happy with your username, tap Done to save your new username.

9. That's it!