As the fastest growing social media platform, TikTok has become an integral part of the social strategies of both small and large businesses. If you’re ready to turn your hidden account into a real business, it’s time to learn how to change your TikTok username.
Luckily, changing your TikTok username is easy (with some caveats). In this article, we’ll walk you through how to change your username, as well as a few tips to help you create a name that’s brand-appropriate, memorable, and most importantly, timeless.
How to Change Your TikTok Username in 5 Easy Steps
If you already have a new TikTok username, it only takes five quick steps to change your current one. This is all you need to do:
Step 1: Launch the TikTok app on your iOS or Android device. Log in using your existing credentials (username and password), QR code, phone number or social media login.
Step 2: Select the “Profile”tab on the first main screen; this will take you to your profile section. Once there, click the Edit Profile button.
Step 3: Click on the Username section (it should highlight your current username).
Step 4: Clear the current username and enter a new one in the corresponding field.
Step 5: Click Save. And you did!
Before you click save, TikTok will quickly check its database of millions of existing usernames to see if the name you want is available.
If the desired username is not available, you will have to choose something else (more on that later). If it’s available, you’re done!
Just make sure you’re confident in your choice – and don’t make mistakes! TikTok only allows you to change your username once every 30 days, so if you make a mistake it will take some time to fix.
How to change your display name on TikTok
Happy with your username, but ready to update your display name? Changing your display name on TikTok is also pretty easy.
After following steps 1 and 2 from the previous section, tap the Name section (instead of your username).
Here, too, the process is the same. Just clear the current display name and enter a new one in the appropriate field.
Then click “Save”and you’re done!
And like the username change restriction, TikTok makes you wait seven days before changing your display name again. The wait is not that long, but still watch out for typos.
6 Best Practices for Choosing a TikTok Username
Choosing the right TikTok username for your brand or business is pretty easy.
Here are some guidelines to help you pick your next TikTok username right.
1. Align your username with your niche
If you’re just getting started with TikTok and don’t have a brand that you’ve invested heavily in, consider choosing a username that best fits your niche or vertical.
Basically, you want your audience to recognize your TikTok content at a glance.
For example, Dublin-based makeup artist Rebecca Malloy has already shown some serious looks on the platform. Her username (and display name) will tell you exactly who she is and what she does. And with nearly 200k followers, it seems pretty clear she’s made an impact.
Source: RebeccaMolloyMakeup on TikTok.
2. Make sure your username is concise and easy to remember.
Your username should be smart and creative. But if it’s not easy to remember, it doesn’t scale. And wasn’t that the whole point? For your brand to scale across the platform?
The most popular TikTok creators and brands followed this rule to the last drop. And you too!
3. Keep it as close to your brand as possible
Ultimately, you want your audience to know you by your brand name more than anything else. Here’s how it pays off even better in the long run.
If you’ve already spent valuable time, money, and effort building your brand, make sure your TikTok username leverages all that powerful brand equity.
There is a reason big brands like Chipotle, Guess and Red Bull use their brand names in their usernames.
Source: Chipotle on TikTok
4. Avoid unnecessary letters, numbers, punctuation or symbols.
It’s tempting, but if @yourbrandname isn’t available as a potential username, don’t choose @yourbrandname11, @.your.brand.name, or any other option that will make your brand fail in keyword searches.
Any unnecessary complexity in your username will make it harder for you to find your target audience. A simple TikTok username can boost your visibility on the platform.
5. Maintain consistency across all your social networks
This may sound like “Brand Management 101″but you’d be surprised how many emerging brands make this mistake.
Your TikTok username must match your most popular social media account, or its closest variation.
This way, as you expand your subscriber count and brand, it will be easier for you to scale all those channels in the long run.
Here’s a great example from one of the creators of TikTok, Melissaswardrobe. It maintains a consistent presence on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and more.
Source: Melissaswardrobe on TikTok.
Source: melissaswardrobe on Instagram
6. Choose something that will stand the test of time
A timeless TikTok username should combine three things: memorable, easily recognizable, and accessible on most, if not all, social media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About TikTok Usernames
How to get a unique TikTok username?
If your brand or business is new, it’s a good idea to do some research before taking on a name. This should include checking social platforms like TikTok to make sure the desired name (or close variant) is available.
If your brand name is not available on the platform, consider adding descriptive words to help your audience understand who you are. Check out the tips above for more tips!
How to change username on TikTok?
Changing your username on TikTok is pretty easy. All you have to do is log into your account, go to your profile and change your username in the corresponding field.
How often can you change your TikTok username?
You can only change your TikTok username once every 30 days.
How can you change your TikTok username before 30 days?
Previously, you could change the date and time settings on your phone to bypass the 30-day waiting period. Unfortunately, this is no longer possible.
How to change username in TikTok on computer?
In order to edit your TikTok profile on a computer, you need to log in to your account from a browser on a desktop computer. Then go to your profile and click the “Edit Profile”button. Here you can change your TikTok username.
Does your TikTok username matter?
Your TikTok username directly affects how your audience perceives you and your content, so yes, it matters a lot.
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