change with instagram

How to change your Instagram username

It’s much easier than it is on other platforms.

By Monica Chin , a senior reviewer covering laptops and other gadgets. Monica was a writer for Tom's Guide and Business Insider before joining The Verge in 2020.

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Some social platforms limit the number of times you can change your username, while others don’t let you do it at all. Instagram is a username free-for-all; you can alter your Instagram handle whenever you want, as many times as you want — within certain limits.

There’s a difference between your username and your display name. The display name is on your profile below your avatar. It doesn’t need to be unique to you, and it can contain emoji and special characters. (And yes, it can also be changed — up to two times within 14 days.)

Your username, on the other hand, appears at the top of your profile and at the end of your profile’s URL. It needs to be unique to you. It’s also subject to more restrictions: it can’t be longer than 30 characters and can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. If you choose a new username, you can change it back within 14 days — if nobody else has claimed it.

Whether you’ve changed your real-life name, you’re upgrading to a more professional username, or you’re just bored of your current moniker, you can change your handle in less than a minute. Here’s how.

Change your username in the Instagram app

First, log in to your Instagram account on the iOS or Android app. If you have more than one account, double-check that you’re logged in to the one you’re trying to change.

• Tap your avatar icon in the bottom-right corner to go to your profile
• Tap Edit profile under your bio
• Tap the Username field and type in your new handle
• Tap the blue checkmark in the upper right corner.

If you want to change your display name, type in the Name field instead.

Change your username on a computer

If you prefer, you can change your username with the desktop version of Instagram.

• In a web browser, go to Instagram.com
• If you’re already logged in, you’ll be prompted to continue with your account. If you’re not already logged in, enter your username and password.
• Click your profile icon on the right side of the homepage and select Profile
• Click Edit profile next to your username

Again, if you make a mistake during this process or decide you don’t like your new handle after all, you can go back to your old handle within 14 days. After that time, you may still be able to revert, but your old handle may have been taken by another user.

If your username is taken...

As mentioned before, you can’t have the same username as someone else, and it’s first come, first served. If your chosen handle is taken, Instagram will let you know after you press the checkmark on mobile or Submit on the web.

If the name you want isn’t available, try adding numbers or underscores to make it unique to you.

Also, keep checking back. Your desired username may become available in the future. The current owner may change or delete their profile, and Instagram occasionally removes fake accounts.

Update June 21st, 2022, 2:10PM ET: This article was originally published on February 5th, 2020, and has been updated to account for changes in the app.

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How to change your instagram display name and username.

Because rebranding is often a great idea

Instagram is not just a platform to share stunning travel photos, memorable family moments, or significant work experiences. It also offers an opportunity to showcase the art of photography. With the advent of powerful smartphone cameras, provided you have the right microSD card for space and speed, capturing and sharing visually appealing content has become easier than ever.

However, there are instances when a profile needs a rebranding. For instance, to venture into the world of influencer-like Instagram Stories . Instagram provides a straightforward method to change your profile name and username, allowing you to embark on a new journey. By following a few simple steps, you can revamp your Instagram presence and embrace the potential of this influential social media platform.

How to change your Instagram display name

Your Instagram display name is an exciting opportunity to create your unique online identity. It's a fun and important aspect of your Instagram profile. Feel free to use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Unlike your Instagram handle (more about this below), your Instagram display name can contain special characters and emojis.

To get started with changing your Instagram account name, make sure you have the app installed and that your Android smartphone or iPhone is connected to the internet. Then, follow these steps:

• Open the Instagram app on your Android or iOS device (the process is the same on both mobile apps).
• Tap your profile icon (which is also your profile picture) in the lower-right corner.
• Tap the Name text box to change your Instagram name.
• Type your new name.

That's it! When you go back to your profile page, you'll notice your Instagram name has been changed successfully.

When changing your Instagram username, it's worth considering how it can enhance your online brand and presence. Take a moment to reflect on how it resonates with your personal or professional aspirations. Get creative and brainstorm delightful, memorable options that reflect your identity and passions.

How to change your Instagram username

Perhaps you also need a new Instagram username to pair with your shiny-new profile name. Just a quick reminder here that display name and username on Instagram serve different purposes. Your display name, located below your profile icon, doesn't need to be unique and can be customized with emojis or special characters for added flair. On the other hand, your Instagram handle or username, displayed at the top of your profile, serves as your distinctive identifier and must therefore be unique.

To change your Instagram account username, follow the steps above, as they're identical. Just tap the text box under the username field in Step 4 (where your current username is displayed) and type your desired username.

As mentioned above, your Instagram username must be unique, so if the one you pick isn't available, Instagram notifies you. In case of unavailability, you can add a period or underscore to the username or select an alternative one. Once you've made the changes, tap the light blue checkmark icon in the upper-right corner of the app to submit the new username.

In case you wish to revert to your old username, you have the option to do so. Instagram retains your old handle for 14 days. After this period, the username becomes available to other users. However, if no one else claims it, you can reclaim it as your own.

Toward new Instagram ideas

Now that you've changed your Instagram display name and (perhaps) username, you're ready to keep exploring new ideas with fellow Instagram users. For instance, did you know you can post an animated GIF on Instagram ? And if you have a Samsung phone, here are 19 simple Samsung Gallery tips for gorgeous photos.

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How to change your username on Instagram

All you need to do is tap on a couple of buttons..

Instagram is one of the most popular image-sharing apps on the internet with millions of users and influencers. While some of these accounts have a simple username, others have a name that is hard to forget.

Instagram, unlike a lot of social media platforms, gives users the ability to change their boring usernames into interesting ones just by following a bunch of steps. Now, before you get confused, a username is not the same as a display. A display name is unique to every Instagram user, while a username isn't, not necessarily.

If you are looking for a change, here's how you can change your username on Instagram:

Step 1: Open Instagram on your Android smartphone or iPhone.

Step 2: Go to your profile.

Step 3: Tap on the Edit Profile option.

Step 4: Type the new username.

Step 5: Tap on the Done option and you are good to go.

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• She received the Renau Writing Scholarship in 2016 from the University of Louisville's communication department.

Tired of your username? You can switch it up with just a few taps.

Your Instagram username is a fun way to convey your personality on the social media app. It can be your regular name or something quirky. Maybe you got married and want to swap to your spouse's last name or hyphenate, or are just looking to make a change. 

Instagram is a bit more lax when it comes to changing your name, compared to stricter stipulations on Facebook . On Instagram, you can change your name an unlimited number of times, and include punctuation, numbers or random words -- pretty much whatever you want. 

Here's how to change your Instagram username: 

1. Open the Instagram app.

2. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right of the screen.

3. Choose Edit Profile .

4. Enter in your new username in the given field.

Instagram will let you know if the name is taken by another user. When you find one that's up for grabs, tap the checkmark to confirm.

One important note: If you decide you hate your new username, you've got a six day window to go back to your old username. Otherwise, someone might take your old one and you'll be stuck with the new one.

You can also change your actual name on Instagram. For example, you might choose to make your username JaneLovesCats, but you could keep your name visible as Jane Doe on your profile. You could also have your name and username be the same. 

Changing your name on Instagram is essentially the same as changing your username:

4. Enter in your new name field.

Unlike your username, Instagram will only let you change your name twice in 14 days. 

For more, check out how Instagram is hiding likes , and how Facebook is reportedly making an Instagram for preteens . 

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