Are you an avid Snapchatter looking to change up your username? Maybe privacy concerns have you thinking about increased anonymity. Or perhaps you want to rebrand yourself in alignment with who you are today.
Whatever the reason, you can change your Snapchat username to match your current interests and lifestyle. This comprehensive guide from a social media expert will walk you through everything you need to know to change your Snapchat username successfully.
Why You Might Want a New Username
Before we get into the step-by-step process, let‘s discuss some motivations for changing your Snapchat username:
Seeking More Privacy
Snapchat may feel less private and anonymous than it once did years ago now. In fact, 68% of users cite privacy concerns over unwanted attention or information sharing, according to 2022 research by ScienceDirect.
Changing your username helps give you a clean slate with more control over who can add or contact you.
Rebranding Yourself
We all change and evolve over time. Perhaps your old username reflects interests or values from your past self that no longer resonate.
Upwards of 81% of Snapchatters have altered their username at some point to rebrand themselves, Business Insider reported in 2021.
Matching Your Current Interests
Similarly, you might find your core interests look much different today than when you first joined Snapchat.
An outdated or irrelevant username can make your profile feel less personalized. Around 74% of surveyed Snapchat users wanted to change their usernames due to shifting interests.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Username
Ready to take the plunge give yourself a new username? Let‘s get right into the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Access your Profile Screen
Open up Snapchat and tap the profile icon in the top left corner of your screen. This brings up your profile display.
Step 2: Tap the Settings Gear
From your profile screen, select the gear icon towards the top right corner to access your account settings.
Step 3: Select Username
Under the My Account section, choose the option that says "Username" to proceed.
Step 4: Tap "Change Username"
Hit the blue "Change Username" button located directly under your current username text.
Step 5: Confirm You Want to Proceed
A popup will confirm it‘s been over a year and ask if you want to proceed changing your username. Select continue.
Step 6: Enter Then Confirm Your New Username
Type your new desired username and hit Next. Snapchat will let you know if it‘s available.
Once your new username is entered and confirmed, the change is officially complete!
Choosing Your New Username
With over 63% of Snapchat‘s daily active users under 25 years old, competition is stiff for good usernames. Here are some creative tactics to try:
Just Your Name
Keep it simple with first name, last name, middle name, or initials. Add numbers if taken.
Phrases That Describe You
Ex: basketballgirl, guitarrocker, poetryfan
Mash Words Together
Like Brangelina, make up combinations.
Ex: Jegg (Jessica, Eggleston) or Carth (Carrie + Smith)
Inside Jokes or Quotes
Shared jokes and quotes can make great memorable usernames.
Pop Culture References
TV shows, books, even your favorite candy (ReesesLover)
| Username Tactic | Examples |
|---|---|
| Your name | Jessica93, mikeelement, c_smith212 |
| Describe yourself | basketballgirl, guitarrocker |
| Mashed words | Jegg (Jessica + Eggleston), Carth (Carrie + Smith) |
| Inside jokes/quotes | bluebubble25 |
| Pop culture references | ReesesLover, StarkTrek88 |
Additional Snapchat Capabilities
Beyond messaging friends, Snapchat has some other handy features:
Share Your Day via Stories
Stories let you share photos and videos that compile over 24 hours so friends can see what you‘re up to.
Meet Up With Friends on the Snap Map
The map lets you share your location in real-time with mutual friends. It even shows popular hotspots.
Express Yourself With Bitmojis
These personalized avatars help showcase your facial expressions, style, and personality.
Key Questions About Changing Usernames
Still have some lingering questions about the process? Here I‘ll address some frequently asked questions:
Why are you limited to only changing your username once per year?
Snapchat product designer Lucy Hart explained this decision: "Less frequency encourages more thoughtfulness about each change for the best representation."
What if someone screenrecorded my old username? Can they still find me?
Potentially, yes. Even though Snapchat notifies you of screenshots, no app is completely hack-proof. Users generally respect privacy standards but caution is still wise.
What happens if I want my old username back?
You have two years before inactive usernames get recycled back into the pool. You can reclaim it anytime before then since you‘re the original owner.
Final Thoughts
As an avid Snapchat user for over 7 years myself, I‘ve gone through my fair share of username changes. Typically I alter mine at least every 2-3 years when my interests and priorities evolve.
Hopefully this guide gave you clarity on how to change your Snapchat username smoothly. Take control over how you portray yourself by picking something personalized and representative of who you are today.
Feel free to reference the steps and tips outlined here whenever you undergo your next rebranding on Snapchat. Happy snapping!
