How to Change Your Twitch Username

Whether you're rebranding your streaming identity, fixing a typo, or upgrading to a more professional name, changing your Twitch username is straightforward—but there are important rules every streamer needs to know. This comprehensive guide covers the 60-day restriction, what happens to your old username, and how to maintain your community during the transition.

Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Twitch Username

1On Desktop (twitch.tv)

•Go to twitch.tv and log in
•Click your profile icon in the top right corner
•Select Settings from the dropdown menu
•Click on Profile in the left sidebar
•Find the Username field
•Enter your new username (4-25 characters, letters, numbers, underscores only)
•Click Update or Save
•Confirm the change when prompted (this is permanent for 60 days)

⚠️Important Note About Mobile

You cannot change your Twitch username through the mobile app. You must use a web browser on desktop or mobile to access Settings and change your username. Log into twitch.tv from any browser to make the change.

The 60-Day Rule: What You Must Know

⚠️ Critical Limitation

Twitch only allows username changes once every 60 days (2 months). Once you change your username, you must wait a full 60 days before you can change it again. This includes Affiliates, Partners, and all account types—no exceptions.

•Why 60 Days? Twitch enforces this to prevent confusion among viewers, reduce impersonation, discourage spam behavior, and maintain streamer authenticity. It also helps maintain consistency for partnerships and affiliates.
•6-Month Grace Period: Unlike TikTok or Instagram where your old username is immediately available, Twitch holds your old username for approximately 6 months before releasing it to others. This protects you from immediate impersonation.
•Plan Carefully: Test your new username with trusted viewers first. Check if it's available across all platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram) using Handle Grab before committing to the change.
•Mark Your Calendar: Document the exact date you changed your username. Set a reminder for 60 days later if you think you might want to change it again or revert to your old name.

What Happens When You Change Your Username?

✓What Stays the Same

•All your followers remain
•All VODs, clips, and highlights
•Channel points and viewer rewards
•Affiliate/Partner status and revenue
•Subscriber counts and badges
•Emotes and custom badges
•Stream schedule and panels

✗What Changes

•Your channel URL (twitch.tv/newusername)
•How viewers tag you in chat
•Your login username
•Display name (must update separately)
•Stream keys and API integrations
•Discord bot connections may need updating
•Third-party tool connections (StreamElements, etc.)

Twitch Username Rules & Requirements

•Length Requirements: Must be between 4 and 25 characters. Cannot be shorter than 4 or longer than 25 characters.
•Allowed Characters: Only letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_). No spaces, periods, hyphens, or special symbols allowed.
•Case Insensitive: Twitch usernames are not case-sensitive. @YourStream and @yourstream are treated as the same username.
•Unique Requirement: Must be unique across all of Twitch. No two streamers can have the same username.
•Content Guidelines: Cannot contain offensive language, impersonate others, or include trademarked terms. Twitch reserves the right to reclaim inappropriate usernames.
•No Twitch Terms: Cannot include official Twitch terms like "admin", "moderator", "staff", or impersonate Twitch employees.

Common Problems & Solutions

Problem: "That username is already taken"

Solution: The username is in use or was recently used (6-month hold). Try variations with underscores or numbers. Use Handle Grab to monitor when your desired username becomes available.

Problem: "Username must be at least 4 characters"

Solution: Your desired username is too short. Twitch requires minimum 4 characters. Add letters or numbers to reach the minimum length requirement.

Problem: "You can only change your username once every 60 days"

Solution: You recently changed your username. Check when you last changed it and wait until 60 days have passed. There's no way to bypass this restriction, even for Partners.

Problem: "Username contains invalid characters"

Solution: Remove any spaces, periods, hyphens, or special characters. Only letters, numbers, and underscores are allowed in Twitch usernames.

Problem: "Can't find Settings or username field"

Solution: Make sure you're on the desktop website (twitch.tv), not the mobile app. Log in, click your profile icon (top right), select Settings, then Profile to find the username field.

Best Practices for Streamers Changing Usernames

✓Announce for a Week: Talk about your upcoming username change during every stream for at least a week before. Use chat commands, overlays, and alerts to remind viewers.
✓Update All Integrations: Immediately update StreamElements, Streamlabs, Nightbot, Discord bots, and all third-party tools with your new username.
✓Update Social Media: Change your username on Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Discord simultaneously for consistent branding.
✓Update Channel Panels: Update all your "About" panels, donation links, social media links, and any graphics that show your old username.
✓Post on Discord: Make a pinned announcement in your Discord server explaining the change and showing the new username clearly.
✓Notify Brand Partners: Email any sponsors, brands, or partners you work with about your username change so they can update their records and contracts.
✓Update Stream Overlay: Change your username in your stream overlay, starting soon/BRB screens, and any graphics that display your handle.
✓Test Stream Key: After changing, verify that your stream key still works in OBS/Streamlabs. Sometimes integrations need to be re-authenticated.

For Affiliates & Partners: Additional Considerations

•Revenue Not Affected: Changing your username does not affect your Affiliate or Partner status, revenue share, or payout history.
•Update Payout Info: Check your payout settings to ensure your new username is reflected. While not usually necessary, verify that payments will still process correctly.
•Notify Twitch Support: While not required, consider informing Twitch support of your username change, especially if you have active contracts or partnerships.
•Subscriber Notifications: Your subscribers will automatically follow your new username, but consider posting an update so they're aware of the change.

Need to Secure a Taken Username?

If your dream Twitch username is already taken, don't give up! Many usernames become available when streamers change their handles or delete accounts. Handle Grab monitors username availability 24/7 across Twitch and all major platforms, notifying you instantly when your desired username becomes free.

How to Change Twitch Username FAQ

How often can I change my Twitch username?

Twitch allows you to change your username once every 60 days. This is more restrictive than Instagram (unlimited) but less than TikTok (30 days). Plan your username change carefully as you'll need to wait two full months before you can change it again.

Will I lose my followers if I change my Twitch username?

No, you will not lose any followers when you change your Twitch username. All your followers, channel points, subscriber badges, VODs, clips, and chat history remain intact. However, followers may be temporarily confused if they don't recognize your new username.

What happens to my old Twitch username after I change it?

Your old username is held by Twitch for approximately 6 months before becoming available to others. This grace period helps prevent impersonation and gives you time to reclaim it if needed. After 6 months, anyone can claim your old username.

Can I change my Twitch username if someone else already has it?

No, you cannot change to a username that's currently taken by another account. Twitch usernames must be unique. If your desired username is taken, try variations or use Handle Grab to monitor when it becomes available.

Why can't I change my Twitch username?

Common reasons include: 1) You changed it within the last 60 days, 2) The username is already taken, 3) It violates Twitch's community guidelines, 4) It contains prohibited characters or is too short (less than 4 characters) or too long (more than 25 characters), 5) Your account has temporary restrictions, or 6) Technical issues.

Will changing my Twitch username affect my partnerships?

If you're a Twitch Affiliate or Partner, changing your username does not affect your status, revenue sharing, or benefits. However, notify Twitch support and any brand partners about the change. Update payout information if needed and ensure all contracts reference your new username.

Do I need to change my Twitch display name too?

No, your display name and username (login) are separate on Twitch. You can change your display name anytime without restrictions, while your username change is limited to once every 60 days. Many streamers keep a consistent display name while optimizing their username.

Will my old Twitch channel URL still work after changing?

No, your old channel URL (twitch.tv/oldusername) will no longer work after you change your username. Twitch automatically redirects it to your new URL for a limited time, but this redirect eventually expires. Update all your links immediately.

Can I change my Twitch username back to my previous one?

Yes, but only if your old username is still in the 6-month holding period and you've waited 60 days since your last change. After 6 months, your old username becomes available to anyone. If someone else claims it, you cannot get it back without their cooperation.

Should I tell my community about my username change?

Absolutely! Announce your username change during streams for at least a week before and after the change. Update your panels, Discord, social media, and create a pinned Twitter/X post. Your community's ability to find you is critical for maintaining viewership.