How to Change Your Instagram Username

Yes. Unlike some platforms, Instagram lets you change your username as often as you like, and it takes about a minute. Your username is the unique @handle people use to find and tag you, not the display name shown in bold on your profile. Both can be edited, and the steps below cover the handle.

This is the fastest way, and it works the same on iPhone and Android.

1. Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right.
2. Tap Edit profile near the top.
3. Tap the Username field.
4. Delete the current handle and type the one you want.
5. Tap Done, then confirm. If the name is free, it saves right away.

You can do the same thing from a browser if you prefer a full keyboard.

1. Go to instagram.com and log in.
2. Click your profile picture, then Settings.
3. Open Edit profile.
4. Type a new handle in the Username field.
5. Click Submit to save.

Your old handle is released back into the pool the moment you switch, so someone else can claim it. Links and tags that pointed to the old name will break, and mentions in other people's captions will no longer connect to you. Your display name, posts, followers and messages all stay put, so only the @handle changes.

Since a change resets the tags and links people have to you, it is worth choosing one you can live with. Keep it short and easy to spell, match it to what you post, and try to use the same handle on your other accounts. Need options? Generate some on the Instagram username generator or browse Instagram username ideas. New to the term? See what an Instagram handle is.