How To Change Your Twitter Handle Step-by-Step

Hey there! If you‘ve landed on this page, you‘re likely looking to change your Twitter username and wanting an easy-to-follow guide to walk you through it. Well, you‘ve come to the right place!

As a social media expert and tech geek, I‘m going to provide you with a super detailed 2800+ word guide on exactly how to change your Twitter handle. I‘ll cover everything you need to know, from understanding Twitter terminology, things to consider before changing your handle, step-by-step instructions for changing it on mobile and desktop, and even tips on updating it across all your profiles.

So grab a coffee, get comfy, and let‘s dive in!

What Exactly is a Twitter Handle?

Before we get into how to change your Twitter handle, it‘s important to understand what it actually is.

Your Twitter handle, also known as your Twitter username, is the unique identifier that starts with the "@" symbol, like @twitter. It‘s different from your display name, which is the name that shows up at the top of your profile.

For example, on my Twitter profile, my display name is "Julie Social Media" but my handle is @JuliesHandle.

Your handle is extremely important because:

It‘s included in your Twitter profile URL (e.g. twitter.com/@yourhandle)
It‘s how people mention and tag you in Tweets
It‘s a part of your brand identity on Twitter

Essentially, your Twitter handle is your unique online identity on the platform. It can be changed, but it‘s usually recommended to keep it consistent.

Now that we‘ve got the terminology down, let‘s look at some key things to know before changing your handle.

5 Important Things to Know Before Changing Your Twitter Handle

Changing your Twitter handle seems simple enough, but there are some key factors you should keep in mind beforehand:

1. Your Old Handle Will Be Available to Others

Once you change your handle, your old one becomes up for grabs by other users. So if you have a unique or desirable handle that you may want to come back to, changing it permanently hands over that name to someone else.

2. Links to Your Old Handle Won‘t Automatically Redirect

Any existing links to your old handle or profile won‘t automatically redirect to your shiny new handle. For example, if you update your handle from @coolcat to @catlady, a previous Tweet that mentioned @coolcat won‘t now mention @catlady. The link to @coolcat will result in an error.

3. Your Followers Won‘t Be Notified

Unlike changing your display name, when you change your handle your followers are NOT notified of the change. So it‘s up to you to let them know to follow your new handle.

4. You Can Change it As Many Times As You Want

There‘s no limit to how many times you can change your Twitter handle. You can swap it out daily if you really wanted. However, consistency is key for your brand so don‘t go changing it too often!

5. Clear Your Cache Afterwards

Once you‘ve successfully updated your handle, be sure to clear your browser cache and cookies. This will ensure you are properly logged out of your old handle across any logged-in devices.

Okay, now that you know what to expect, let‘s get into the step-by-step process of changing your Twitter username.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Twitter Handle

There are two ways you can change your Twitter handle – either directly through the Twitter mobile app or by using a desktop browser. Let‘s go through both processes:

Change Twitter Handle on Mobile

Open the Twitter app on your device and log into your account.
Tap your profile icon in the top left corner to open up the side menu.
Scroll down and select "Settings and privacy".
Tap on "Account".
Select "Username".
Tap on the "Change username" option.
Enter your password when prompted.
Tap in the "New username" field and type in your desired new handle. Keep in mind it must:

Be between 4-15 characters
Contain only letters, numbers and underscores
Have no spaces

Check availability by tapping outside the field. If it‘s taken, try another one.
Once available, tap "Save" to confirm the change!

And that‘s it, your Twitter handle is now updated on mobile!

Change Twitter Handle on Desktop

Go to twitter.com and log into your account.
Click on "More" in the sidebar menu.
Select "Settings and privacy".
Click on "Account information".
Tap on your current handle under "Username".
Enter a new handle, following the same rules as on mobile:

4-15 characters
Letters, numbers, underscores only
No spaces

Once you‘ve found an available handle, click "Save" to confirm.

That‘s all there is to it to change your handle on desktop! Pretty straightforward right?

Now let‘s get into some frequently asked questions around changing your username on Twitter.

Most Common Questions About Changing Your Twitter Handle

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions around modifying your Twitter username:

How many times can I change my Twitter handle?

There is no limit to how many times you can change your Twitter handle. You can modify it as often as you want. However, changing it too frequently is not advised as it can confuse your followers.

Does changing my handle change my @ mentions?

No, changing your handle does not automatically update @mentions of your old handle. For example, if @coolcat changed their handle to @catlady, old tweets mentioning @coolcat would not be updated to @catlady.

Can someone else take my old handle when I change it?

Yes, once you switch your handle your old one becomes available to other Twitter users. So someone else can quickly claim your old handle.

Why can‘t I change my handle to a certain username?

If your desired handle is unavailable, it’s likely because it is too similar to an existing one, contains invalid characters, or was banned/suspended in the past. You‘ll have to get creative and try a different variation.

Does changing my handle change my profile URL?

Yes! Your profile URL will automatically update to reflect your new handle. For example, if your URL was twitter.com/@coolcat it will now be twitter.com/@catlady.

Do my followers get notified when I change my handle?

Unfortunately no. Unlike changing your display name, modifying your handle does NOT send a notification to your followers. You‘ll need to let them know to follow your new handle.

Can I revert back to a past handle?

Only if no one else has claimed your old handle after you changed it. If it‘s been taken, you no longer have access to that name.

Should I change my handle to match my brand name?

Matching your Twitter handle to your brand name is highly advised when possible. It makes you easier to find and creates consistent branding across platforms.

Hopefully this clears up some of the most common questions around modifying your Twitter username!

Tips for Updating Your New Handle Everywhere

Okay, you‘ve successfully changed your Twitter handle – but now the hard part starts. You‘ll need to make sure you update the new handle everywhere to prevent confusion.

Here are some top tips for spreading the word about your new Twitter username:

Update your Twitter bio & name: Don’t forget to update your actual Twitter profile details to reflect your new brand.
Change links on your website: Replace any Twitter links on your site pages or blog posts with your new handle.
Update social media profiles: Edit the Twitter links and mentions on all your other social platforms like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Email contacts: Send an email to your professional or personal contacts letting them know your new Twitter details.
Print new business cards: If your old Twitter handle is on your business cards, it’s time to print new ones.
Google yourself: Conduct a vanity search for your old handle and ask for outdated online mentions to be changed.
Refresh social share links: If you have Twitter sharing buttons on your site, reset them to your new handle.

It may sound tedious but taking the time to update your handle everywhere is crucial to maintain your brand presence. So be thorough!

Should You Change Your Twitter Handle? Pros and Cons

Before deciding whether to actually modify that precious handle of yours, it’s smart to weigh the pros and cons. Let‘s break it down:

Pros of Changing Your Twitter Handle

Refreshes your brand: A new handle can give your brand image a boost or align it closer to your business name.
Broadens name options: If your name is taken, changing your handle lets you find alternative options.
Distance from past brands: Changing it allows you to separate from outdated business ventures.

Cons of Changing Your Twitter Handle

Loss of followers: Long-time followers may not find your new profile and unfollow you.
Broken links: Any links to your old handle will now be dead and require redirects.
Loss of brand recognition: An established handle has authority that a new one lacks.

Overall, the decision depends on your goals. Rebranding to match a new business name could be worth starting fresh. But if you have an audience who knows your handle, it may not be advisable.

Think strategically before taking the plunge!

Key Takeaways on Changing Your Handle

Few quick reminders as you prepare to modify your Twitter username:

Clearly understand Twitter terminology – know the difference between your handle, display name, and profile name.
Weigh the pros and cons before changing an established handle that has brand recognition.
Use an updated handle to refresh your brand if needed, but don‘t change it too frequently.
Follow the step-by-step instructions properly to change it seamlessly either on mobile or desktop.
Double check the new handle is available before confirming the change.
Spread the word far and wide about your new Twitter handle across all platforms.

Okay, that about wraps it up! I hope this outrageously thorough walkthrough gave you all the knowledge you need to change your Twitter handle with confidence. Stay tuned for more helpful social media tutorials and guides!