Knowing how to change your Twitter name on different devices is an important step towards keep your profile updated and avoiding possible complications.
Whether you’re rebranding yourself, embracing a new identity, or just plain ready for a change. Your Twitter name is the first impression you give to people who may potentially be connections.
This guide will therefore guide you through the easy steps on how to update your Twitter name on iOS, Android, and PC to ensure your online presence will be true to you.
What does Twitter name mean?
What we mean when we talk about your Twitter name is two things: your handle (or username) and your display name.
On X, your unique identifier is known as your username, or your handle. It begins with the @ symbol before the username, and is part of your special X URL (twitter.com/@username).
On the other hand, your display name is the name that shows up on your profile. This name doesn’t have to be unique at all, but it is how people will find you on X.
You will be able to clearly see your username as well as your display name, if you get to check your profile page.
The username sits below your profile picture and the display name is more prominent and sits at the top of your profile.
Altering your handle changes how people tag you and refer to you. While changing your display name is about changing the name of your profile.
Can you change your name on Twitter?
It’s absolutely possible to change your Twitter name, whether it be your username (your Twitter handle) or display name. However, the process and restrictions for each are slightly different.
Let’s break it down.
Twitter Username (@username)
You can change your Twitter username as long as the new handle is available and follows Twitter’s rules.
The name should be unique, 4 to 15 characters long and only contains letters, numbers, or underscores. No spaces or special symbols are allowed.
You can change your user name any time you want. But try to do it infrequently so that your followers don’t have to keep adjusting themselves so often.
If you switch and someone else takes your old @username, you can’t reclaim it again unless it becomes available again.
Furthermore, your @mentions will be made with your new handle from this point forward. But your followers will not be notified of the change.
Twitter Display Name
The display name is even more flexible as you can also change it anytime you want.
The display name can be up to 50 characters long, can contain spaces, emojis, and special characters and there are almost no restrictions.
It doesn’t have to be unique like the username, hence you can have multiple accounts with the same display name.
Being able to update your display name as often as you want is perfect for rebranding, seasonal changes, or as a way to express yourself.
Ensure your child’s safety while they explore the Twitter
How to change your name on Twitter on different devices?
Changing your Twitter name is a simple process for users and it doesn’t matter if you are using iOS, Android, or PC.
In this guide we are going to show you how to change your twitter username as well as your display name.
Change your Twitter username
Depending on the type of device you’re using, you can change your Twitter @handle with these instructions.
On iOS/Android
Step 1. Launch the Twitter app, and use your account credentials to sign in.
Step 2. Tap your profile picture in the top left corner to open the menu.
Step 3. Tap “Settings and Support”, then select “Settings and privacy”.
Step 4. Tap “Account,” then select “Username.”
Step 5. Put in your preferred new username in the box provided. The application tells you if you can use your desired username or not.
Step 6. To save your new handle you need to press the Done button.
On PC
Step 1. Login to your account via the X website using your web browser.
Step 2. On the left side of the screen, you will find a button that says “More” which is represented by three dots.
Step 3. From the dropdown list, select the “Settings and Support,” then select “Settings and Privacy.”
Step 4. Click on “Your Account”. For security authentication purposes, the system will ask you to give your password.
Step 5. Under the “Account Information” section click on “Username”.
Step 6. Enter your new desired username. If the username you want to use is available, the system will confirm to you that you can use it. Otherwise you will have to pick a different one.
Step 7. To activate your selected handle, click the “Save” button.
When you change your Twitter name. You should let your followers know the new username so they can DM and direct reply to your new profile.
Change your Display name (Twitter Name)
To change the display name, which will show on your profile and your tweets, follow these steps.
On iOS/Android
Step 1. Proceed by launching the X application on your mobile device.
Step 2. Click on your profile picture in the top left corner of the screen. This will open a side menu.
Step 3. Click on the Profile button to reach your account dashboard.
Step 4. Tap the “Edit Profile” button.
Step 5. Under the “Name” section in the “Edit Profile” page, you can find your display name. Add your new title to the text box provided.
Step 6. After pressing the ‘Save’ button, your changes will become permanent.
On PC
Step 1. Log in to your account on the X website via your web browser.
Step 2. Go down to the “Profile” tab on the left side of the screen.
Step 3. On your profile page, you should be able to locate the ‘Edit Profile’ button.
Step 4. You will be presented with a text field where you can change your display name. Enter your desired new display name in the available text field.
Step 5. Once you’ve entered your display name, select the “Save” button in order to implement your changes.
Once the Twitter name change is complete, the new display name you set on Twitter shows up instantly on your profile.
Faqs about change Twitter name
There are no restrictions on the number of times Twitter users can change their account username. If the available name follows Twitter’s requirements, you can change your Twitter handle as often as you need to. You are also free to change your display name as you wish, as long as you follow Twitter’s guidelines.
Those who want to change their Twitter handle but cannot find the @username they want available can use various creative solutions.
1. Add Numbers. You could put in numerical suffixes that have personal significance to your Twitter handle such as @JaneDoe89 (the number of your birth year) or @TechGuru23 (a favorite number). Keep it simple and memorable.
2. Use Underscores. An underscore will make your Twitter username such as @Jane_Doe or @Tech_Guru more readable.
3. Try Variations. You can add prefixes such as The, Real, or Official to create new Twitter usernames. Tweak the wording—@TheJaneDoe, @JaneDoeLive, or @RealTechGuru.
4. Check Availability Later. Twitter occasionally releases dormant usernames from inactive accounts but this cannot be guaranteed.
While undergoing a change, users should enter potential alternatives in the Twitter username field to find out which ones are available.
Choosing a Twitter username and display name is a process that needs to be given some thought. As it affects both the personal image and digital safety of your children.
Here are some tips to help your child choose an entertaining and respectful as well as secure Twitter username.
Prioritize privacy & security
- Avoid using real full names. Using a username format such as @EmmaJohnson123 makes it easy for strangers to spot your child online. Do not let your child use real names but rather an initial or nickname like @EJ_Creative.
- Skip personal details. Any online username that exposes birth years, school affiliations, or geographic locations like @Emma2009_NYC is unsafe.
- Explain the Risks. Tell children why it is still dangerous to share their personal details online as these details are accessible to unknown people.
Make it fun but respectful
- Encourage creativity. When choosing your Twitter handle, children should think of something distinctive that suits their personality traits, (e.g. @GuitarGirlEmma or @SoccerChampEJ).
- Keep it appropriate. You should prevent them from using vulgar language. Inside jokes and future embarrassing situations can be avoided with this measure.
- Incorporate Interests. Help them choose an account name that is based on their own interests and characters they like or hobbies (@BookwormEmma or @GamerMax123).
To protect your child’s privacy and build a good online reputation, these safety recommendations on Twitter will help your child.
Bonus: Using parental controls on Twitter
Twitter offers students the opportunity to learn and socialize. However, parents should take steps to protect their children’s safety while using the platform.
There are multiple security features on Twitter that parents should activate when setting up their child’s account.
- Account Privacy. To protect their posts, you can set their account privacy to ‘Protect your posts’. This will ensure that tweets are only visible to the followers who have been approved by you.
- Content Filtering. Parents should also allow the ‘Hide sensitive content’ feature to hide explicit content from appearing in search results for kids.
- Direct Messages. You can restrict your child’s access to Direct Messages to followers only, by adjusting the “Direct Messages” settings under “Privacy and Safety.”
- Mute and Block. Parents can block users and mute them to keep their children safe from accounts or content that could be dangerous. This is by simply accessing the profile’s “More” menu.
While Twitter offers basic privacy features, there are still other means of protection necessary to make sure your child is completely safe.
Parental control apps specifically designed for monitoring offer extensive security tools which help parents track internet use of kids.
One such robust application that allows parents to supervise children’s online activity and also implements several safety measures is FlashGet Kids.
Some of the FlashGet Kids main features are as follows.
- Live Screen Mirroring. Parents can also observe what their child is doing on Twitter and other apps in real time.
- Alerts for Username Changes. The app will immediately alert you whenever your child changes their Twitter username, and you can then track online identity changes.
- App Blocker. Scheduled time blockings on Twitter and other apps will also keep your child away from the platform during homework sessions and bedtime hours.
- Daily Reports. The platform gives you detailed reports on how much time your child spends on Twitter and other apps.
Parents can use FlashGet Kids to monitor their children’s online behavior and help when they need to.
Technology, however, is only a part of what is necessary to solve the issue. The most effective defense against online threats is open dialogue with your children.
Talk with your kids about possible dangers from social media, privacy issues as well as how to react in response to negative situations online.
Always be available to your children when they want to discuss their online concerns or questions.
Conclusion
One of the most basic but important ways to keep your digital identity up to date with your evolving individual or professional identity. is learning how to change your Twitter name.
No matter what device you use, Twitter doesn’t care if you’re modifying your display name or username, as any user can do so easily.
With FlashGet Kids, parents can both safeguard their child’s social media experience and ensure the environment is positive.
