What Do I Do If Twitter Will Not Allow Me to Change My Username?

Changing both your Twitter username, or handle, and changing your display name are both simple, painless processes. In the event that you run into trouble, help is available from Twitter's excellent Customer Service team.

Your Twitter username, or handle, that you initially created for your Twitter account is not one you have to live with for the life of your Twitter account. Like your Twitter account's display name, your Twitter username, or handle can also be changed both from a you laptop or PC, as well as with Twitter's mobile app.

Prior to discussing how to change your Twitter handle and/or Twitter display name, let's first explain the difference between the two.

What's The Difference Between My Twitter Username, Or Handle and My Twitter Display Name.

Your Twitter handle is the username that is associated account, the name that starts with the "@" sign. Your display name is the name preceding your "@" handle. For example, in this example Twitter account:

help@gethuman

'help' is the Twitter display name, while '@gethuman' is the Twitter handle, or username.

Both can be changed.

How To Change Your Twitter Handle, or Username

Login to your Twitter account.
Click on the More link near the bottom of the navigation menu on the left-side of the Twitter screen.
Click on Settings and privacy to the left.
Ensure Account is selected. On the right-hand side of the screen, click Username.
Change your username to your desired username (if the username is already taken, you'll be prompted to choose another one).
Click the Save button.
Your Twitter username, or, handle is now updated.

How To Change Your Twitter Display Name

Login to your Twitter account.
Click on your Profile picture at the top-center of the Twitter screen, or select the Profile link near the bottom of the navigation menu on the left-side of the screen.
Once on your Profile page, select Edit Profile.
Change your (Display) Name in the Edit Profile section to your desired display name.
Click the Save button.
Your Twitter display name is now updated.

What If Twitter Will Not Allow Me To Change My Username or Display Name?

In the event that you are having trouble changing your Twitter username, ensure that your Twitter account is activated. Also, bear in mind that some usernames cannot be used, because they are already in use, or for a number of other reasons, including:

Usernames, or handles containing the words Twitter or Admin cannot be claimed. These words are reserved for official Twitter accounts only.
Twitter usernames, or handles, cannot be longer than 15 characters.
Twitter usernames, or handles can only contain alphanumeric characters (letters A-Z, numbers 0-9) with the exception of underscores (i.e., @G3t_Human).

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