Snapchat is a popular messaging app and social network for the iPhone. The app differs from other chat apps because you do not write long text messages, but share photos and videos that you can only view for a short time. The trick with this service is that you can easily be found by others. If you have chosen a username that you later regret, you can change it. In this tip we will show you how that works: change a Snapchat username.
How to Change Snapchat Username?
There are two names in Snapchat: your username/account name and your profile name/display name that is visible to others. Changing your profile name is pretty easy:
Open the Snapchat app and tap the Snapchat logo at the top to view your profile.
Press the gear at the top right to open your profile settings.
Tap Name and enter a different first or last name.
How to Change Your Snapchat Username without Deleting your Account?
This can be done a maximum of once per year. Also keep in mind that a previously used username cannot be reused. So you cannot change your Snapchat username every now and then. To change your account name, follow these steps:
Open the Snapchat app and tap the Snapchat logo at the top to view your profile.
Press the gear at the top right to open your profile settings.
Tap Username and enter a new name. This name must not have been used before.
If you want to change your username more than once a year, there is only one thing to do: log out and create a second Snapchat account with a different email address and set it up exactly as you want. Then you can delete your old account and add your normal email address again.
The only downside to this method is that you have to add all your friends to Snapchat again. Otherwise, you won’t have any trouble making the switch.
Why Can’t I Change My Snapchat Username?
Snapchat assigns a username to each account during the registration process. This username is used to identify you on the platform, and it’s linked to your account’s settings and data. Unlike your display name, which you can change easily to show your friends, your username stays the same.
The reason Snapchat doesn’t allow username changes is largely due to security and privacy concerns. Your username is a key part of how Snapchat identifies and authenticates your account. Changing it could potentially cause confusion or disrupt the security features built around usernames.
Additionally, Snapchat’s infrastructure might not support username changes without significant technical challenges. Each username is unique, and altering it across millions of accounts could be complex and risky.
So, while you can customize your display name and profile picture on Snapchat to reflect your personality, your username remains a fixed identifier for your account. It’s important to choose your username wisely when you create your account because it’s not something you can modify later on.
How to Change Snapchat Username without Waiting a Year?
Changing your Snapchat username without waiting a year is not possible due to how Snapchat manages user accounts. When you create a Snapchat account, your username is permanent and cannot be changed. This is different from your display name, which you can update as often as you like to show your friends.
Snapchat designed this system primarily for security reasons. Your username is used to identify your account and is linked to your account’s settings and data. Changing it could potentially cause confusion or disrupt the security features built around usernames.
If you want a new username, the only way is to deactivate your current account and create a new one with a different username. However, this means losing all your existing friends, chats, and memories associated with your current account. Therefore, it’s essential to choose your Snapchat username carefully when you first create your account.