If you changed your Snapchat username but your old one is still showing up, there are a few possible reasons for this:
Your Friends Haven’t Updated Their Contacts Yet
The most common reason your old Snapchat username is still visible is because some of your friends haven’t updated your contact information in their phones. When you change your Snapchat username, the app doesn’t automatically push the change out to all of your friends. Instead, your friends have to manually go in and update your contact in their own phones to sync it with your new Snapchat name. This means that some people will still have you saved under your old username until they get around to updating their contacts. It can take a few days or even weeks for all of your connections to catch up, so you may continue seeing your old name pop up periodically as people switch over to your new handle.
Snapchat’s Servers Haven’t Fully Updated Yet
Another possibility is that Snapchat’s servers are still catching up to your username change. Although the update should take effect immediately when you alter your username in the app settings, there can sometimes be a lag time before the change fully propagates across Snapchat’s networks. Their servers have to sync up the update across geographical regions and data centers. While this typically happens quickly, it can occasionally take up to 24 hours for the switch to be fully applied on Snapchat’s back end. So your old name may still show up sporadically until their systems are completely refreshed.
You’re Viewing Cached or Outdated Content
In some cases, your old Snapchat username may be showing up because you’re looking at cached or outdated content that was generated before you made the switch. For example, if you view an old Snap or Chat message in the app, it will still display your previous name because that’s what was attached to it at the time it was originally sent. Clearing your app cache and restarting the app can usually resolve this by forcing Snapchat to reload all content from its servers. The same thing applies if you’re viewing old Snaps that friends saved to their Memories or posted on their Stories – that content is static and won’t automatically reflect your new username.
Your Device Has Outdated App Data
Along the same lines, your device itself may have outdated cached data that’s causing your old Snapchat username to appear. Apps regularly cache some data locally on your phone or tablet to improve performance. If this outdated cache isn’t cleared, your device will continue referencing your previous name. You can typically fix this by fully force quitting the Snapchat app, manually clearing its cache/data, uninstalling then reinstalling Snapchat, or restarting your device. This erases any lingering local data so that fresh info can be downloaded from Snapchat’s servers.
Your Snapchat Account Was Compromised
In rare cases, your old Snapchat username may still be showing because someone else has gained access to your account. If a hacker was able to log into your profile, they could potentially change your username back to the previous one. Some signs that your account may be compromised include profile changes you didn’t make, new login attempts from unknown devices/locations, spam or inappropriate content sent from your account, and being locked out of your account. If you suspect foul play, change your password immediately and check Snapchat’s login history in your account settings to look for anything suspicious. You should also report the issue to Snapchat.
An Integration or Third-Party App Isn’t Updated
If you connect your Snapchat account to any integrations or third-party apps, there’s a chance they may still reflect your old username even after you’ve changed it. Things like Snapchat geofilters, games, marketing tools, etc. may cache your data or have to be manually updated on their end as well. Check any linked apps or services to see if they’re still referencing your previous handle and refresh the connection if possible. Disconnecting then reconnecting your Snapchat account can often force a refresh of your latest profile data.
Your Display Name Was Changed, Not Your Username
One final possibility – did you actually change your full display name rather than your unique Snapchat username? These are two different profile settings. Your display name is the first and last name people see in their friends list and on your profile. But your distinct username is what’s used for your custom Snapchat URL and friend search. If you only tweaked your display name, your old username will still be visible and active behind the scenes.
Conclusion
In most cases, your old Snapchat username sticking around is just a temporary annoyance while your changes propagate to friends and Snapchat’s networks. Give it a few days for your new profile name to become fully visible across the app. Double check that you updated your actual Snapchat username, not just your display name. And take proactive steps like restarting your device, reinstalling the app, and clearing cached data to force a refresh. If the issue persists for more than a few days or you suspect account compromise, contact Snapchat support for personalized troubleshooting assistance.
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Friends Haven’t Updated Contacts | Your username change doesn’t automatically sync to friends’ devices. They need to manually update your info. |
| Snapchat Servers Haven’t Updated | It can take up to 24 hours for a username change to fully propagate across Snapchat’s networks. |
| Viewing Cached/Outdated Content | Old Snaps, Chats, Stories still have your old username attached. |
| Outdated App Data on Your Device | Locally cached old data needs to be cleared by force quitting, uninstalling, etc. |
| Snapchat Account Compromised | A hacker may have revert back to your old username. |
| Third-Party App Not Updated | Integrations need to be refreshed with your new username. |
| Only Display Name Changed | Your distinct Snapchat username is different than your display name. |