How to Change Your Name on TikTok

If you’ve ever searched for new content on TikTok by a specific content creator, you probably entered their username first. If they don’t have a username you remember, you’ll find it hard to find a specific video, let alone their account.

This is exactly why your TikTok name or username is so important. Both your username and display name make it easy for others to discover your content and remember you at the same time.

So, whether you want to rebrand your profile, correct a typo, or just make your name stand out on TikTok, the platform makes it easy for you to update your username and display name.

Username Vs. Display Name

You may not always think about it much, but your username and display name are equally important on TikTok.

Your username is what identifies you on the platform. It begins with an @ and is part of your profile’s URL.

No two accounts can share the same username so that people can find and tag you easily. Still, they can only do this if they remember your username in the first place.

Your display name is also called a nickname. It appears at the top of your profile and in the comments section. Users will also see your nickname in their For You feeds.

Unlike a username, a display name can include spaces and special characters. They also don’t have to be unique.

Why Do Your TikTok Names Matter?

As mentioned, if you create an easy-to-remember username, TikTok users can readily find and tag you. A catchy display name can help you build a brand identity that makes your profile stand out more.

If you want to ‘build a name’ for yourself on the platform, changing either or both your username and nickname can form part of this new content strategy.

How to Change a Username or Display Name

Before you can change either of your TikTok names, you must:

• Have the latest TikTok app version installed. Check the latest update on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

• Be logged into the account that you want to update.

• Have a stable internet connection. Otherwise, you won’t be able to save your changes.

• Not have changed your username less than 30 days prior, or your display name seven days prior.

Changing Your Username on Mobile

It is best to change the username on your phone. All you need to do is the following:

• 1. Open the TikTok app and check that it has been updated to the latest version.

• 2. Tap the Profile icon that appears at the bottom right of the screen.

• 3. Select Edit Profile, Tap Username, and delete the old handle.

• 4. Choose and type your new handle.

• 5. Tap Save (upper-right corner).

TikTok will check whether your chosen username is available and display a green checkmark if it is. If the username is not available, try a variation. For instance, if you wanted Juliet101 but it’s unavailable, try Juliet1000.

Once you save your new username, it becomes part of your profile link (URL).

Changing Your Username on Desktop

It is also possible to change your username via a desktop computer.

• Go to TikTok.com in your web browser and log in to your account.

• Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select View Profile.

• Click Edit Profile below your existing username.

• Enter your new username into the field.

• Click Save.

How to Change Your Display Name

If you want to change your display name:

• Open TikTok and go to your profile.

• Tap Edit Profile and Name.

• Delete the current name and enter your new display name. Your display name can be up to 30 characters.

• Tap Save.

You can only change your display name according to TikTok’s Community guidelines.

If you don’t use your account for 180 days, TikTok may reset your username to a random numeric handle. However, this is an internal process and will not affect how others see your account.

Picking the Best TikTok Username

The best way to choose a username that works is to choose something that represents who you are.

You can choose words that relate to your content niche, or even use your real name. Select words others would use to describe you. You could even ask ChatGPT for inspiration.

Overall, your username should be uncomplicated and catchy. Ideally, you want TikTok users to see your content and immediately remember your username without much effort.

Don’t use special characters or phrases that make no sense or are difficult to spell. Short and simple is the way to go.

It is also a good idea to make your username uniform across other social media platforms.

Before you change your TikTok username, check whether the same handle is available on Instagram, X, and other platforms. This way, you can ensure your branding is consistent everywhere.

Troubleshooting Common Username Issues

When you change your username on TikTok, you may encounter some technical issues.

• Your new name doesn’t want to save.

  If you struggle to save your updated username, ensure your internet connection is stable.

  Also, check that you are using the latest version of the TikTok app. If these are in order, log out, log back in, and try again. If it still doesn’t work, try to delete and reinstall the app.

• Error message.

  If you get an error message about a waiting period, check when you last changed your name, as you may still be in the cooldown period.

• "Something went wrong" message.

  If you get a popup that says, ‘something went wrong,’ clear the app cache. You can do this by navigating to settings, privacy, and clearing the cache. If this does not work, reinstall the app before trying again.

• Verified TikTok handle.

  If you require an exception to TikTok’s naming limits, contact TikTok Support directly. However, you can only do this for a verified handle.

Changing Your TikTok Name Is About More Than a Visual Update

Changing a TikTok username or display name is not something you should do on a whim. You should only change them to build a positive audience perception of your brand and content.

A well-chosen handle will instantly tell TikTok users what they need to know about you.

As you align both names across several platforms, you will find that audiences remember you better, which is excellent for ongoing engagement.

These names can be the change you didn’t know you needed to establish a growing following.