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How to Change YouTube Username? [+Free Tool Inside]

YouTube Analytics
Mamta November 8, 2024

If you want to refresh your YouTube brand, knowing how to change YouTube username can come in handy. With a new YouTube username, your channel will better reflect your evolving brand or content focus.  

Whether you’re rebranding or aiming to improve discoverability, a well-chosen username can help you connect with a wider audience and boost your channel’s growth. 

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to change your username and provide some tips on choosing a name that best represents your channel’s identity. Let’s get started! 

Why is Changing Username on YouTube Important?  

Sometimes an old YouTube username might not fit well with your ongoing brand transformation.  

When you first started your YouTube journey, you chose a username that felt right at the time. But now, maybe you’re ready to pivot or rebrand your channel completely. That doesn’t mean you’ll have to entirely delete the channel and start from scratch.  

In such cases, changing username on YouTube can come in handy! 



What is a YouTube Username? 

If you’re getting confused between YouTube username and YouTube channel name, you’re not the only one! So, let’s quickly cover the basic difference between both.  

Your YouTube username is the unique name associated with your channel. It’s what users will see when you upload videos, comment on posts, or appear in search results. This is different from your channel name, which is usually your display name and can be changed without affecting your YouTube username. 

a screenshot depicting clear difference between youtube username and channel name

How to Change YouTube Username on Desktop? 

To change YouTube name on desktop, follow these steps: 

  • Sign in to YouTube: Go to YouTube and sign in to your account. 
  • Access Settings: Click on your profile picture in the top right, then select “YouTube Studio.” Alternatively, you can also directly visit studio.youtube.com and sign in with your account.  
Screenshot showing how you can access the YouTube Studio
  • Go to Customization: In the left-hand menu, click on “Customization” and then scroll down to “Handle.” 
  • Edit Username: Now change YouTube handle by typing in the new username.  
Screenshot showing the section where a user can edit their YouTube channel username.
  • Save Changes: Once you’re satisfied, click “Publish” in the top-right corner to save your changes. 
Screenshot showing how to publish your new YouTube username.

Remember: If you want the old YouTube username back, you can do so within 14 days. Also, you can change YouTube name only twice in 14 days. So, be careful while making these changes.  

How to Change YouTube Username on Mobile? 

If you want to change name for YouTube using a mobile device, here are the steps to follow: 

  • Go to Your YouTube Profile: Sign in to your account and tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner. 
  • Select Your Channel: Click “View Channel” from the top of the screen. 
  • Tap the Pencil Icon: Tap the pencil icon and you’ll be able to spot the area where you need to edit YouTube username.  
  • Go to Handle: Tap the pencil icon next to the YouTube handle section.  
  • Enter a New Username: Replace the existing YouTube username with a new one. 
  • Save Changes: Once you’ve entered the desired username, click on Save.   
Screenshots depicting a user opening YouTube app on mobile device and going to channel settings.

Screenshots depicting a user editing their current YouTube username.

Things to Consider Before Changing Your YouTube Username 

If you want to change name for YouTube handle, remember to settle on something that isn’t only catchy. It should also be following different factors like:  

  • Brand Consistency: Your new YouTube username should reflect your current brand, so your audience can easily recognize you. 
  • SEO and Discoverability: YouTube also works as a search engine, so consider including keywords in your username if they’re relevant. 
  • User Experience: A simple, easy-to-remember username will help users find you and share your content. 
  • Avoid Special Characters: Stick to letters and numbers to ensure compatibility across devices and platforms. 

What To Do After Changing YouTube Username?  

Once you’ve gone through the process of changing YouTube username, it is time to make the info public so that your old subscribers don’t get confused. As such, you must:  

  • Notify your subscribers of the change: YouTube won’t automatically send a notification regarding your username change. So, keep your followers in loop and make an announcement post to justify the handle change.  
  • Update links on platforms: If you’ve added YouTube link to your Instagram bio or other social media platforms, update them with immediate effect.  

👉 Read Now: How to Post a Link on Instagram: Complete Guide for Posts, Stories, & More 

Try Vaizle’s Free Username Generator Tool Now 

That was all about how to change your name on YouTube on both mobile and desktop devices. Now, let’s see how you can generate a catchy and niche-relevant YouTube username for your channel.  

Vaizle’s free AI username generator tool understands your preferences and generates creative usernames that truly reflect your channel’s brand and style. 

Simply select the platform, tone, category, and enter a short description. Now, you will get a list of YouTube usernames that you can pick from.  



Conclusion  

If you want to refresh your brand and make it easier for viewers to find you, you must know how to change your YouTube username.  

But that’s just the beginning! To further grow your YouTube channel, you’ll want to track how the content performs over time.  

That’s where Vaizle’s free YouTube Channel Analyzer Tool comes in. With Vaizle, you can get insights into your video performance, daily engagement patterns, audience demographics, and top-performing videos! 

You can also further track YouTube channel while keeping an eye on performance for different social media platforms. Get exclusive access to Vaizle’s marketing analytics suite for 7 days now!  

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a username change to show up on YouTube?

YouTube username changes are usually instant, but sometimes it may take a few minutes for the new handle to show.  

Can I go back to my old YouTube username if I change my mind?

Your old username will be available for 14 days after the change. Post that, you will only be able to get your username back if some another user hasn’t claimed it yet.  

How to change your name on YouTube? 

To change your YouTube name, go to your YouTube channel, click on your profile picture, and select “Your Channel.” Then click “Customize Channel” and select “Basic Info.” Here, you can edit your name. After making changes, click “Publish” to save your new YouTube name. 

Can you change your name on YouTube?

Yes, you can change YouTube handle or username. Your username is separate from your channel name and can be updated to better reflect your brand or make it easier for viewers to find you. However, it’s important to note that frequent changes might impact your channel’s recognition and discoverability. 

About the Author

Mamta

Mamta

Mamta is an SEO Analyst with 2 years of experience. Currently, she is spending her time on content roadmapping to drive organic growth and engagement for SaaS businesses. Mamta is also an avid cinephile who spends her spare time watching latest action and sci-fi flicks from around the world.

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