Usernames are the foundation of any social media profile, but finding a good one is always difficult. Unless you created your account years ago, you’re unlikely to get the username you want, and even then, you might regret it years later. If, like most of us, you regret the decisions you made some years back, you’ll be relieved to know that changing your Instagram username is a simple process. But I can tell the question on your mind, though, is how do you go about this?
The mobile app is the simplest way to change your Instagram username. Launch the Instagram app, tap the profile icon, and then select Edit Profile. Under the Username section, enter your new username and click the checkmark to save.
Let’s go into more detail…
What is Your Instagram Username?
Your Instagram username appears at the top of your profile and in your personalized Instagram URL, such as www.instagram.com/yourusername.
It can only be made up of letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and it can’t be longer than 30 characters.
Instagram Username vs Display Name
Your display name, which is basically your real name or the name of your business, has very few rules. You can change it whenever you want, and it doesn’t have to be different each time. If you want a name that’s easier to remember, you might find it easier to just change your display name.
Your username, on the other hand, is what goes at the top of your Instagram account. It’s also what people use the “@” symbol for when they want to tag you, and it’s what goes at the end of your Instagram URL. There are also more rules about Instagram usernames.
Instagram Username Guidelines:
- Unique to your account.
- Fewer than 30 letters.
- Only has letters, numbers, periods, and underscores; no other symbols or spaces.
- No swearing or other bad words.
Now that that’s out of the way, here’s how to change your Instagram username. We’ve also added a few more things that you should know.
How Do I Change My Instagram Username?
Since Instagram is geared toward mobile, the first way we’ll show you is by using the Instagram app. Assuming you’ve already thought of your new username, it only takes a few seconds to do.
To change your Instagram username in the app, open your profile by tapping the profile icon in the bottom right. Then, click the button below your bio that says “Edit Profile.” Enter your new Instagram name in the field labeled “Username,” and then tap the checkmark in the top right corner. All done!
As we mentioned earlier, there are some rules around Instagram usernames. If your new username doesn’t meet these requirements, you’ll see a red exclamation point and the message “Username not available.” Keep trying different versions of your username until you find one that works.
How to Change a Username in the Instagram App:
- Launch Instagram and sign in.
- Tap the icon for your profile at the bottom right.
- Click on Edit Profile under your bio.
- In the Username field, type your new username.
- Tap the checkbox in the upper right corner.
Meanwhile, the steps to do this on Android and iOS are pretty much the same. Some buttons may be in slightly different places, but the steps are still the same.
How Do I Change My Username on a Desktop or Web Browser?
From a browser, it’s just as easy to change your Instagram name. The steps are almost the same. What you need to do is listed below.
Go to Instagram.com and sign in with your account information. Next, click the icon in the top right corner of the screen that looks like your profile. Go to where it says “Edit Profile.” In the Username field, type your new username. Click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the screen, and you’re done.
Note that, unlike when you change your Instagram username in the app, you won’t be told if the username you want is already being used. When you click the submit button, a small window will appear to tell you that the username isn’t available.
How to Change a Username on Instagram via the Web:
- Go to Instagram.com and sign in there.
- Click the picture of yourself in the top right corner.
- Select “Edit Profile.”
- In the Username field, type your new username.
- At the bottom of the page, click the Send button.
What Happens When Your Username Is Changed?
Once you click the “Submit” button on the web or tap the “Checkmark” button on your phone, your Instagram username will change right away, and your old username will be available to someone else. This means that you won’t be able to get it back if someone else takes it.
When you change your Instagram username, your account URL also changes. This means that any website that links to your Instagram account will now show an error screen. Make sure that all of your websites and social media profiles are up to date.
If you change your Instagram username, it won’t change the number of people who follow you, but it may confuse people.
The good news is that it’s still the same account, so you won’t have to start from scratch again. People will still follow you, but they may be confused by the change. This could lead to less engagement or unfollows, but users who just want to share photos with friends shouldn’t worry about this.
Every place on Instagram where your Instagram account is shown will automatically update, so you don’t have to worry about comments you made on old posts that link to an account that no longer exists. But posts you’ve been tagged in might not be updated, and people who want to tag you in new posts will need to know your new username.
Why Can’t I Change My Name on Instagram?
If Instagram won’t let you submit a new username, it’s probably because it doesn’t meet the requirements listed above. The most common problem is that the username is already taken, so try a different one.
Even if you want to go back to an old username, someone might have taken it while it was still available, and you won’t be able to use it again.
Another likely reason is app caching, which can happen when you change your Instagram username. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem since everyone else will see your new username, and the problem usually goes away on its own after a few hours. You can also give your phone a fresh start. When that doesn’t work, the only thing that does is to uninstall and reinstall Instagram.
What if Your Username Has Already Been Taken?
As we’ve already said, no one can have the same username as you, and the first person to sign up gets the name. If your chosen handle is already taken, Instagram will let you know after you press the checkmark on mobile or the Submit button on the web.
If the name you want is already taken, add numbers or underscores to it to make it your own.
Also, check back often. In the future, the username you want may become available. The profile’s current owner can change or delete it, and Instagram sometimes gets rid of fake accounts.
How to Find Someone Who Has Changed Their Username
Even though a new Instagram username might feel like a fresh start, it’s still easy for people who already know about the account to find it. If you already follow the account, it will still show up in your list of accounts you follow, and new posts from the account will still show up in your feed.
You can also search for their display name to find Instagram accounts that have changed their username. If the account is public and the display name hasn’t been changed, a simple search should bring it up.
The last thing you can do is look for another place where the account is linked. This could be an old post on which the account commented, or it could be a new post in which someone else tags them. With a little digging, it’s not hard to find a changed Instagram username but don’t be a creep about it.
How Often Can I Change the Name I Use on Instagram?
There’s no stopping! You can change your Instagram username as often as you want, as long as it meets all the requirements and the new username isn’t already taken. As was said above, if you change your username too often, it could confuse your followers and cause them to stop following you.
Should I start a new account or just change my username?
How you use your account makes a difference. If you use Instagram as a personal social media account, it’s best to keep it that way. Some people like to turn their personal accounts into business accounts because they already have a lot of followers.
This isn’t always the best choice, though, because your friends might not be interested in your business. Sometimes they just want to see your personal photos, and it doesn’t seem fair to force them to look at your business photos. Plus, you’ll want to keep a personal account for all those fun images. The best thing to do is to keep them apart.
Can I Change My Instagram Name Back to One I’ve Used Before?
You can if no one else has already used the old username.
Can I take a username from an Instagram account that is no longer being used?
There is no way to take a username from someone else’s Instagram account, even if it isn’t being used. Instagram says that you should instead get a different version of it. You can add numbers, periods, symbols, etc.
Also, Instagram can shut down accounts that aren’t used. This happens when the user doesn’t sign in, like images, or post new content. Instagram’s rules on the matter have never been clear, but it can happen. You can try to get the username if and when they close the account.
Related Articles
- Does Deleting Threads Delete Instagram: Why It Doesn’t!!!
- Threads vs Instagram: How is Threads Different from Instagram?
- How to Follow All Instagram Friends on Threads, Simplified!!!
- How to Use Instagram Threads, Explained!!!
- How to Change Your Name on TikTok: Best 2023 Practices
References
