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How to Change Your Twitch Username

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Many viewers or steamers will realize that their Twitch username may be working against them. Whether it is constructed of random numbers and letters or you have chosen a name that brands don't want to work with, there are times when changing your Twitch name becomes a necessity.

So you’ve decided you want to change your username or you’ve just grown, out of your username on Twitch. Luckily the change process to change your username is really easy on the twitch website and the Twitch app.

Twitch allows you have one username change every 60 days. You must go to your profile settings, find your username, and then click the option beside your name. At that point, you will be able to select any Twitch username that isn’t currently in use.

This post will walk you through changing your username on your Twitch account on both the desktop site and your mobile device.

How to Change Twitch Name on Your Computer in 2024

You can change your username in your settings under the “username” section on Twitch by completing the following steps:

  1. Step 1

    twitch profile get bits

    Visit the Twitch website, then click your avatar on the upper right-hand side of your screen. 

  2. Step 2

    twitch settings dark theme

    Select the “settings” section on the drop-down menu. 

  3. Step 3

    twitch username dashboard

    You’ll see a space for your username in the profile settings section. The edit button (pencil icon) is located to the right of it. Click the edit icon. 

  4. Step 4

    twitch change username

    You may be redirected to insert your password and add verification through a token code sent to your mobile device. After you’ve inserted the required security measurements, you will be redirected to a page where you can enter your new username. 

  5. Step 5

    If the new username is available, a green checkmark will appear. Double-check your display name to make sure you typed it correctly, then press update. You may need to type in your password again. 

Change Your Twitch Username on Mobile

You can easily change your Twitch username on the mobile browser version in your profile settings. Locate your settings by clicking your avatar and scrolling down until you see your old username. If you are able to change your username, the app will tell you so. On the right of your Twitch name, you will see a pencil icon. Tap the icon and pick a new handle from any available usernames.

How Often Can You Change Your Twitch Username?

Currently, you can change your Twitch name once every 60 days. We don’t recommend changing it often. Take the time to find an appropriate name for your brand and stick with it. When you change your name on Twitch, your channel URL will change and it will not be redirected to your new channel. It will make it difficult for your viewers who haven’t followed you to find you again.

What to Do if Twitch Username is Taken but Not in Use

Twitch recycles abandoned usernames every 6 months. If the name is taken, you can use the Twitch Username and User ID Translator tool on Streamweasels to detect user id and check activity, so you’ll know if the username will be available soon. 

How to Change Your User Name on Twitch on an Android Mobile Device

Before you change your username on Twitch, you will have to ensure that you have a verified email. Otherwise, you will not be able to change your username.

After that, to change your Twitch name on an Android, complete the following steps:

  1. Step 1

    twitch mobile app

    Open the Twitch app on your phone and click on the profile picture that you can find in the top left corner.

  2. Step 2

    twich mobile menu

    This will open your account menu, where you can find various settings for your Twitch channel.

  3. Step 3

    mobile account settings

    Go to your account settings.

  4. Step 4

    profile settings section

    Click on Account, that you can find at the top of the list. This will lead you to your profile settings section.

  5. Step 5

    twitch edit mobile profile

    Click on edit profile where you can change your username, profile picture, and your bio.

  6. Step 6

    change mobile username

    Tap on username; this will open a new screen with a button that says “Change Username.”

  7. Step 7

    change username button

    Click on the button, and you will be able to change your username.

  8. Step 8

    Write your new username, making sure that it shows you a green checkmark; this is Twitch’s way of showing that the username is available to use for your profile. It will also automatically change your Display name and your profile URL.

  9. Step 9

    Click save/update and fill in your Twitch password and click verify. You have now successfully changed your Twitch name.

    Now that you have changed your Twitch username, just make sure you update your Twitch URL wherever you have your Twitch profile linked, so people can still get to your new channel.

How to Change Your Twitch Username on an iOS Mobile Device

If you instead use an apple device to get on Twitch, then it won’t have the exact same interface but it is mostly the same steps. Like with the android phone, you need a verified email address.

  1. Step 1

    Open the Twitch mobile app.

  2. Step 2

    twitch-profile-page-iphone-ios-mobile-app

    Click on your profile icon in the top right corner, this will open up the account settings menu.

  3. Step 3

    my channel

    Click on “my channel” to go to your profile.

  4. Step 4

    onyxiaowl

    Click on “Edit Profile” which you can find in the top right corner.

  5. Step 5

    change twitch username

    You now have found your profile settings section, where you have the option to change your Twitch username, your display name on Twitch, your bio and your profile picture. Since you want to change your Twitch username, you have to click on Username.

  6. Step 6

    ios change username twitch

    This will give you a new screen with a button that says “Change Username.”

  7. Step 7

    change username

    Now you can change your username, which will automatically change your display name on Twitch and your channel URL.

  8. Step 8

    Click “Save,” fill in your Twitch password and click “verify.” You have now successfully changed your username. You can’t change your username for at least 60 days now, and your old username will be put in with the rest of the abandoned usernames. These will be returned to available usernames for other users after six months.

Should You Change Your Twitch Username?

There are a few situations where it is appropriate to change your Twitch name. We have listed a few for you to consider. 

  1. Your Username Is Challenging To Pronounce

    Even if you didn’t think pronunciation would be an issue when creating your name, if you notice that other streamers have difficulty pronouncing it, it may be a good idea to change it. Some Twitch users will avoid talking about a person or a subject if they don’t know the correct pronunciation. Make it easy for others to talk about you. 

  2. You Have Random Numbers or Letters in Your Name

    Regardless of whether you added these to have a specific title or for style, having extra letters or numbers in your Twitch display name can make it difficult for your viewers to find your channel. This can include names such as XxPrincessPartyxX and Pr1nc35sP4rtyP4nt5. While people can work out your name, searching for your channel later can be a nightmare if they didn’t previously follow you. 

  3. Your Name Closely Resembles A Well-Known Streamer

    People will take your channel and brand less seriously if they weren’t well-known when you began streaming. Streamers aside, don’t use the names of celebrities or athletes, either. While using these as a gamer tag is okay, it will be harder for your community to search for you outside Twitch. 

  4. 4Your Name Doesn’t Match Your Twitch Brand

    If your name is ZombieGutzEater and you primarily stream My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, you may want to rethink your name. A well-branded name should represent yourself, your content, and your community.

arcade name gamertag

Difficulties After Changing Your Twitch Username

A few potential side effects come with changing your Twitch username, which is why you should avoid doing it if you can. These include:

  1. Rebranding

    If your brand is related to your username, you may have to change all of your emotes, graphics, and other aspects associated with the name. Changing the name DalmationsAreAGirlsBestFriend to 2021YoYoChamp would need serious rebranding. You can try to change to use a similar name to keep some elements of your original brand. 

  2. Lost in the Crowd

    Other users who have been to your channel, but didn’t follow or subscribe may not be able to find you again due to your name change. To circumnavigate this, Tweet your original username and your new one together. This way, some people will be able to find you again using your new account name. Let your following know on Discord and other social media sites as well. 

  3. Merchandising

    If you have already sold merchandise with your brand, your fans might not be too happy about a new Twitch name. That being said, they might also be able to flex that they followed you and supported you with your old name merch.

Twitch Name Requirements

There are also some rules to what you can and can’t have as your Twitch username. This is to make sure that the community is safe and inclusive for everyone. So if you want to change your twitch username, then make sure your username doesn’t contain something that would violate any of the following rules:

  • Breaking the Law, including Terrorism and Child Exploitation
  • Violence and Threats
  • Hateful Conduct
  • Harassment and Sexual Harassment
  • Unauthorized Sharing of Private Information
  • Impersonation
  • Glorification of natural or violent tragedies
  • Self-Destructive Behavior
  • References to recreational drugs, hard drugs, and drug abuse, with exceptions for alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana
  • References to sexual acts, genital, or sexual fluids

It is also against user guidelines to change your username to circumvent community timeouts.

Windows 10 Twitch Username Error

Occassionally, some people have found it difficult to change their Twitch usernames from Windows 10. If you have discovered this error for yourself, please check our guide on fixing the Windows 10 Username Error.

Examples of Twitch Usernames That Work Well With Branding

Here are seven examples of usernames on the Twitch website that are memorable and fit the streamer’s brand:

  1. Misterwhisky

    The display name is easy to say, and well brandable. As a baker, Misterwhisky uses a whisk, so it is also a play on words! 

  2. PauperGanda

    A play on the word “propaganda,” PauperGanda sticks out and can easily be brandable. 

  3. DuckSauce

    Easy to remember and easy graphics. DuckSauce is very merchandise friendly as well. 

  4. Crouching_tuna

    Crouching_tuna is an amusing name that makes the viewer picture it in their head, letting them remember where to return in the future.

  5. Varvalian

    Varvalian is a unique name that rolls off the tongue. As it doesn’t mean anything, the streamer can focus their branding in another direction. Google searches for the name lead back to the channel. 

  6. Sick_Nerd

    Who doesn’t want this name? Sick_Nerd is very memorable and can be made into a myriad of community jokes and memes. 

  7. CMillerMusic

    As a musician, his name is already his brand. While “ChrisMiller” might not define the channel enough (or it may already be taken), CMillerMusic showcases his name with his content. 

Conclusion

Take your time in picking your new username. You don’t want to have to change it too often. Take care in making sure it correlates to your brand. While the name change process is simple enough, the hassle can create a headache that you would otherwise wish to avoid.

Note that changing your username will change the Twitch URL in the address bar. Make sure to always notify your viewers that you changed your username on Twitch (and of the URL change) so that they can find your content again in the future. Your old URL will no longer work and it will not redirect to your current username.

Even when you don’t have access to the Twitch desktop app, you still wanted to change your username. You can still use your phone to change your username; since it’s so easy to do, you can easily get a new username on Twitch.

About the Author

Onyxia

Onyxia is a content creator college student from the Netherlands, who recently got into streaming. She loves to share her knowledge and love for writing and streaming with people and is also passionate about building an understanding and open-minded community.

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