How to change your TikTok username

What is the difference between a TikTok username and a TikTok display name?

A TikTok username is the unique handle that you use to log in to your account, and it includes an “@” tag. It appears on your profile and serves as the link to your page. 

In contrast, the TikTok display name or nickname is shown at the top of your profile. Unlike the username, your TikTok name doesn’t have to be unique and it can include spaces and special characters, while the username can only use letters, numbers, underscores, and periods.

How to change your TikTok username

To change your current username:

1. Open your “Profile” page on the app or website.
2. Click on “Edit profile.”
3. Enter a new username in the “Username” field.
4. Save the changes.

How to change your TikTok username from the mobile app

First, let’s see how your TikTok account username can be changed from the mobile app.

Step 1: Log in on the TikTok app.

After tapping the button on the lower right corner, you can either sign in with your username or email and password and go to your profile.

Step 2: Go to your profile and tap “Edit profile.”

This will open a tab with all your TikTok information: username, nickname, bio, etc.

Step 3: Find the username section.

Step 4: Change username.

If your desired username isn’t already taken, you’ll see a green check mark appear.

Step 5: Tap save.

How to change your TikTok username from the website

Step 1: Open TikTok.com and log in to your account.

Step 2: Click on the profile tab from the bottom-left side of the screen. 

Step 3: Click on the edit profile button.

Step 4: Tap username and change it to one that isn’t already taken.

Step 5: Tap save.

5 tips for choosing a new TikTok username

Changing your username on TikTok is easy, but deciding which one to choose can be a bit trickier. However, with a few best practices, you can find one that will make your profile stand out.

Here are five tips for choosing a new username:

1. Use the same username across all platforms
2. Choose a short and easy-to-remember username
3. Add modifiers if your ideal username is already taken 
4. Use keywords related to your niche or industry
5. Try to avoid special characters or numbers

1. Use the same username across all platforms

Your TikTok username should match the handles on your other social media platforms to make it easy for followers to find you everywhere. A username can be a strong element of branding, and your brand should feel familiar to your audience no matter the social network.

Take a look at Chipotle, for example. The profile icon and username are the same on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads. It would have created confusion if they stuck with @Chipotle on Instagram but went for something like @RealChipotle for TikTok. 

2. Choose a short and easy-to-remember username

Avoid long, complex, or hard-to-spell names so followers can easily recall and search for you. The simpler your username, the quicker your audience will remember it. It also looks more polished and therefore more professional.

The best option would be to simply set your brand name as your username, so it’s instantly recognizable when people open TikTok.

3. Add modifiers if your ideal username is already taken

In an ideal world, we would all get the usernames we want. However, with over 2 billion accounts on TikTok, it’s hard to find a unique handle. 

The solution to this problem is to include words like “official,” “shop,” “team,” or your location (e.g., @YourBrandUSA or @YourBrandHQ) to create a unique and professional variation. This way you can change your username without compromising on branding and aesthetics.

A good example is Gordon Ramsay, who added “official” to his real name. We can’t know whether someone already had @gordonramsay when the famous chef decided to join TikTok, but it gives his account a professional look either way.

To take it one step further and make your profile even more trustworthy, apply for verification on TikTok.

4. Use keywords related to your niche or industry

Sometimes, your company name does not give away your industry. Had Dove not been as famous as it is right now, would you have guessed what their niche is just from their brand name? Probably not.

As a smaller business, it’s important to help users understand what industry you are in from the beginning. Incorporate relevant words like “fitness,” “beauty,” or “tech” into your new name to improve your visibility and clarify what your brand is about.

Even bigger businesses like Truly can benefit from adding these keywords to their username. Apart from specifying the niche, they also help brands that have more generic names get a unique username. Getting @truly would have been unlikely.

5. Try to avoid special characters or numbers

Skip unnecessary underscores, periods, or numbers that make your username look cluttered or hard to type. While it may be tempting to use them when you can’t seem to find a username that isn’t taken, they make it hard to remember.

Adding characters or numbers that are not relevant to your brand also makes your profile look unprofessional and less trustworthy, especially if it isn’t a verified account.

Frequently asked questions