Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. One fun feature of Snapchat is the ability to create custom display names that appear next to your profile picture and replace your real name. But what happens when you change your Snapchat display name – can other users see that you edited it? Here’s a quick look at how Snapchat display name changes work.
Snapchat Does Not Notify Users of Display Name Changes
The short answer is no – Snapchat does not notify your friends when you change your display name. The new name simply appears in place of the old name and users have no indication it was updated unless they happen to notice the difference themselves.
This allows you to change your display name as often as you want without worrying about Snapchat announcing the change to your contacts. The app does not keep a public log or feed of display name changes that other users can browse. It’s a seamless transition.
Exceptions: Broadcasts and Group Chats
There are two exceptions where Snapchat will notify users that you changed your display name:
- Broadcast Lists – If you send a broadcast snap to a custom list of friends, they will see a notification that your display name changed.
- Group Chats – In any group chats you are in, the other participants will be alerted if you change your display name.
In both these cases, the app has to indicate your new display name to avoid confusion over who is posting. But for standard one-on-one interactions, your contacts are none the wiser when you switch names.
How to Change Your Snapchat Display Name
Changing your display name on Snapchat only takes a few taps in the app:
- Open your Snapchat profile by tapping the Bitmoji icon in the top left corner.
- Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to access your settings.
- Tap on the existing display name to edit it.
- Type your new desired display name.
- Tap the check mark to save the change.
That’s all there is to it! Your new name will now display across Snapchat. You can repeat these steps to change it again whenever you want.
Does the Name Change Appear in Chat Histories?
Previous snaps and chat logs will not update to show your new display name – they will continue to show the old name.
Only newly sent messages after you make the change will use the updated name. So conversations from before the edit will still show your old display name even though your current name is different.
What Happens When You Change Back to an Old Name?
If you decide to change your display name back to a previous name, there is still no notification sent out to contacts.
Even if you repeatedly switch between names, Snapchat does not keep track of name change history or alert your friends to the changes.
Can You See Other People’s Display Name Changes?
Just as others can’t see when you edit your display name, you also can’t see when your Snapchat friends change their names.
The app does not provide any kind of feed or log of custom name changes for any user. The only way to know if someone updated their display name is if you notice it looking different in your messages or profile.
Is There Any Way to See Display Name Change History?
Unfortunately, Snapchat does not keep permanent records of past display names that you can look back on. Once you change your name, there is no way to view the old ones again unless you happen to have chat screenshots containing them.
Some workarounds include:
- Keeping a list of your past names outside the app so you remember them.
- Taking a screenshot whenever you update your name as a record.
- Checking chat logs where your previous name may still appear.
But Snapchat itself does not store or show previous names within the app.
Conclusion
Changing your Snapchat display name can be a fun way to update your look and identity on the app. The feature allows flexibility for users to express themselves.
The secretiveness of the changes also creates opportunities to prank friends, try out new creative names, or reinvent yourself over time. As long as you keep the exceptions in mind, you can swap names as often as you want without worrying about Snapchat announcing it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Snapchat notify your contacts when you edit your profile picture?
No, Snapchat does not send any alert when you change your profile picture. It will simply update to the new photo. The same private name change policy applies to profile photos too.
Can someone see when you delete them as a friend on Snapchat?
No, Snapchat does not notify users when you delete or block them from your friends list. There will be no indication given to the deleted contact.
Does Snapchat tell your friends when you view their stories?
Viewing someone’s story or opening their snap does not trigger a notification to them. Your Snapchat activity is anonymous unless you snap back or chat with them.
Can you tell when someone screenshots your snap?
Yes, Snapchat does alert you when someone takes a screenshot of your snap. This helps maintain the ephemeral nature of unscreened content.
Is there a way to view your old Snapchat memories and stories?
Snapchat Memories is a feature that allows you to save and view your old snaps, stories, and photos locally on your device. You can access Memories from your profile screen.
Can someone track your location on Snapchat?
Users you are friends with on Snapchat can view your location if you have location sharing enabled. You can turn off location services at any time in your app settings.
Changing Your Display Name on Other Social Media
Just like Snapchat, most social media services allow you to customize your username or handle:
| Platform | Edit Display Name? | Notify Contacts? |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |
| Yes | No | |
| Yes | No | |
| TikTok | Yes | No |
As shown above, the ability to customize your profile name is common across social platforms. But with rare exceptions, your contacts are not informed when handle changes occur.
Can Someone Impersonate You With a Similar Display Name?
Since Snapchat names are not unique, it is possible for someone else to use a name that resembles yours, either on purpose or accidentally. This could allow them to impersonate you in chats with mutual friends.
Some ways to deal with display name impersonators include:
- Asking friends to verify a user’s Snapcode before engaging.
- Reporting the account to Snapchat for impersonation.
- Changing your name to something more distinct.
- Warning contacts about the impostor account.
Impersonation violates Snapchat’s community guidelines so you can request for fake accounts to be banned. But ultimately, display names are never guaranteed to be unique.
Pros of Custom Display Names
Some advantages of Snapchat’s customizable display names include:
- Self Expression – Names let users showcase their personality or interests.
- Anonymity – Names hide real identities and provide privacy.
- Creativity – Users can come up with fun unique names for their accounts.
- Reinvention – Names can be changed to mark life events or new chapters.
Overall, display names give Snapchatters lots of freedom to craft creative online identities or mask their real selves – all without worrying about their contacts being notified of changes.
Cons of Custom Display Names
Some potential downsides of non-unique display names on Snapchat include:
- Impersonation – The lack of name uniqueness means impersonators may use similar names.
- Confusion – Friends may not realize a name has changed and get confused.
- Loss of History – Old names fade away forever with each change.
- Inappropriate Content – Snapchat cannot ban offensive names that are not unique.
While the freedom is empowering, the lack of restrictions also opens the door for some potential issues around impersonation, anonymity, and offensive content with no accountability.
Do Any Social Media Apps Notify on Display Name Changes?
A few social platforms do actively notify your network when you change your username or handle. For example:
- Reddit – When you change your Reddit username, your old name becomes deactivated and posts update.
- Steam – Your Steam name change history is logged and public for anyone to see.
- Roblox – Your Roblox profile shows your past display names for reference.
However, most platforms tend to follow Snapchat’s lead and keep name changes private. Public name change tracking is the exception, not the norm.
Key Takeaways
- Snapchat does not notify your friends when you change your display name, making name changes private.
- The exceptions are broadcast lists and group chats which do send alerts on name changes.
- Snapchat does not keep any public logs or feeds to view past display name history. Changes are untraceable.
- You also cannot see when your Snapchat friends alter their names since no alerts are sent.
- Pros include creativity and reinvention, while cons include potential impersonation issues.
- Most social media services follow Snapchat’s model and do not notify contacts on name changes.