Tech Reference

How to change your Snapchat username and display name

The Snapchat app's login page on an iPhone.
There's a limit to how often you can change your Snapchat username. DenPhotos/Shutterstock
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On Snapchat, you have two names: Your username and your display name. Your username only appears on your profile, and is what friends and family members will use to find your account. But your display name is what shows up above your Snaps, Stories, and on everyone's Snap Map and feeds.

Until recently, you could only change your display name — to change your username, you needed to make an entirely new account. But a recent update added a feature that lets you change your username once a year.

Here's how to change both your username and display name on Snapchat, using either the iPhone or Android app.

How to change your Snapchat username

Remember that once you change your username, you'll need to wait a full year to change it again. And even after changing your username, your old name will still be locked so no one else can use it.

1. Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top-left corner of the screen.

The main Snapchat page, with the user's profile picture in the top-left corner highlighted.
Open your Snapchat profile.  Snapchat; William Antonelli/Insider

2. On your profile, tap the gear icon in the top-right corner. This will open the Settings page.

3. Tap the Username option, then tap Change username and press Continue to confirm that you know the restrictions.

The Settings page in the Snapchat app, with the Username option highlighted.
Head to the "Username" menu.  Snapchat; William Antonelli/Insider

4. Enter your new username and tap Next. It still has to be unique. If you want to back out without changing, tap the arrow in the top-left instead.

5. Enter your Snapchat account's password and tap Confirm.

You've now got a new username. Check out your profile to see what it looks like.

How to change your Snapchat display name

This is the name that shows up at the top of your profile and all of your Snaps. Unlike your username, you can change your display name whenever you want. 

1. Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top-left, and then the gear icon in the top-right.

2. Select the Name option.

3. Type in your new name and then tap Save.

The menu in the Snapchat app that lets you change your display name.
On iPhone, you can enter a separate first and last name.  Snapchat

Your new display name will start appearing right away.

Devon Delfino contributed to a previous version of this article.

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ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
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EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.