How to Change Your Handle on X (Twitter)
Quick answer
Go to Settings and privacy > Your account > Account information > Username, type an available handle, and save. Followers, posts, and DMs carry over instantly. Your old handle becomes available for anyone to register, and existing @mentions and profile links pointing to it stop resolving to you.
Step by step
- 1
Open Settings and privacy
On web, click More in the left sidebar. In the app, tap your profile picture and open Settings and privacy.
- 2
Go to Your account > Account information
You may be asked to re-enter your password before the account details load.
- 3
Tap Username
Your current handle shows in an editable field with availability checking as you type.
- 4
Enter the new handle and save
Handles allow up to 15 characters using letters, numbers, and underscores. If it is available, hit Save and the change is immediate.
- 5
Update links to your profile
Fix the URL in your bio tools, website, email signatures, and other social profiles, since old x.com links now point at a dead or stranger's handle.
Worth knowing
- Your old handle is released immediately. If it matters to your brand, register it from a secondary account before someone else does.
- Followers, posts, likes, and DMs are untouched. Only the @name and profile URL change.
- Old @mentions in other people's posts do not redirect to your new handle.
Doing this for a brand, not just an account?
A handle change touches every bio link, campaign UTM, and embedded post you have shipped, so treat it as a small rebrand with a checklist rather than a settings toggle.
Common questions
Will I lose my followers if I change my handle?
No. Followers, posts, replies, and DMs all stay with the account. The handle is just a label on top of your account ID.
Can I get my old handle back later?
Only if nobody has claimed it. Released handles are up for grabs immediately, so there is no guarantee it will still be free.
Does changing my handle affect verification?
A subscription checkmark can be temporarily hidden after profile changes while X reviews the account. Organization-verified accounts should expect a review step as well.
How often can I change my X handle?
There is no published limit, so you can change it repeatedly. Avoid frequent changes anyway, since every switch breaks inbound links and confuses people who search for your old name.