Click here to buy secure, speedy, and reliable Web hosting, Cloud hosting, Agency hosting, VPS hosting, Website builder, Business email, Reach email marketing at 20% discount from our Gold Partner Hostinger You can also read 12 Top Reasons to Choose Hostinger’s Best Web Hosting
You started your Twitter journey years ago with a handle like @C00lDude_999 or a niche business name that no longer exists. Now, you are a professional, and your digital identity feels misaligned. You’re shouting into the void with a username that doesn’t match your brand, confusing potential followers and looking outdated in a polished digital landscape. And you are passionately searching how to change Twitter handle. The anxiety is real: What if you change it and lose your hard-earned verification badge? What if you break every link to your profile spread across the internet?
The good news is that changing your handle on X (formerly Twitter) is technically simple. However, doing it correctly requires a strategic approach. The platform’s policies on verification, inactive accounts, and “squatting” have evolved significantly. This guide won’t just show you which buttons to click; it provides a SmashingApps-approved strategy to secure your new identity, avoid SEO disasters, and ensure you keep your followers and reputation intact.
The Critical Distinction: Display Name vs. Username
Before we dive into the settings, we must clear up the most common confusion that plagues users. Many people mistakenly believe they need to change their username when they really just want to change how their name looks on tweets.
Display Name (e.g., Smashing Apps): This is the bold text at the very top of your profile. It can contain spaces, emojis, and special characters. It does not have to be unique. You can change this as often as you like (within reason), and it won’t break your profile link or confuse the algorithm.
Username / Handle (e.g., @SmashingApps): This is your unique digital fingerprint. It appears in your profile URL (x.com/SmashingApps) and is used to tag you in conversations. This is what we are changing today.
Pro Tip: If you just want to fix a typo or add a seasonal emoji to your name, change your Display Name instead. Changing your Handle is a permanent structural move that alters your URL and search ranking.
How to Change Twitter Handle (Step-by-Step)
Method 1: Desktop (Web Browser)
Log In: Navigate to
x.comand sign in to your account.Open More Options: Click the More (…) icon in the left sidebar menu.
Navigate to Settings: Select Settings and privacy and then click on Your account.
Access Account Info: Click on Account information.
Edit Username: Click the Username field.
Type & Save: Enter your new desired handle. If it says “Available,” click Save.
Method 2: Mobile App (iOS & Android)
Access Profile Menu: Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner.
Settings Dropdown: Tap Settings and privacy.
Account Selection: Tap Your account.
Account Information: Select Account information.
Update Handle: Tap Username.
Confirm: Type your new handle and tap Done.
Claiming “Taken” or Inactive Handles
1. The Premium Priority Route
Premium+ subscribers get support priority. If you are eyeing a handle that belongs to a “ghost” account, support tickets from free accounts often go unanswered.
(Ad)
2. The Trademark Violation Strategy
If you own a registered trademark and someone is squatting on your exact brand name, submit a report via X’s Trademark Policy Form.
3. The “Handle Monitor” Technique
Use listening tools or “handle checkers” that notify you when a username becomes available.
The Hidden Risks: SEO, Verification, and Broken Links
1. The Verification “Cooldown”
Changing your handle temporarily removes your verification badge for 3–7 days.
2. The SEO “404” Disaster
Your old profile URL does not redirect. All links break instantly.
3. The “Redirect Account” Hack
Change your handle →
@NewBrandCreate a second account → claim the old handle
Pin a message telling people to follow the new one
Strategic Checklist: Before & After the Change
Phase 1: Preparation (24 Hours Before)
Check availability
Notify audience
Prepare assets
Phase 2: Execution
Update handle
Secure old handle on backup account
Update bio
Phase 3: Cleanup
Audit links
Resubmit for verification if needed
Key Takeaways
Display Name is flexible; Handle is structural
Expect a temporary verification loss
Premium+ support can help with inactive handles
Always secure your old handle
Followers and DMs stay intact
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Twitter handle back if I don’t like the new one?
Only if no one else has taken it. Always secure your old handle first.
How often can I change my X username?
There is no strict limit, but frequent changes may trigger spam checks.
Will I lose my followers?
No. Followers, DMs, and your following list remain intact.
Why does X say a username is unavailable when no account exists?
It may be suspended, deactivated, or reserved by X.
Conclusion
Changing your Twitter handle is more than a settings tweak—it’s a branding maneuver. With proper planning and the redirect strategy, you can transition smoothly without losing reputation or traffic.
Now loading...
