There are a few potential reasons why Snapchat may not be allowing you to change your username. The most common causes include having changed your username recently, having an inappropriate or offensive username, or having been suspended or locked out of your account.
You Recently Changed Your Username
Snapchat limits how often you can change your username. If you have already changed your username within the past 30 days, Snapchat will not allow you to change it again until the 30-day period has passed.
This restriction is in place to prevent users from constantly changing their usernames, which can be confusing for friends trying to find you. It also helps curb username squatting, where people take desirable usernames before the original owner has a chance to reclaim them.
So if you recently changed your Snapchat username, you’ll have to wait 30 days before changing it again. You’ll know if this is the issue if you see an error message stating “You’ve already changed your username. You can try again in 30 days.”
You Have an Inappropriate or Offensive Username
Snapchat prohibits usernames that are obscene, offensive, promote illegal activity, infringe on intellectual property rights, or impersonate other individuals. If your current username violates any of these rules, Snapchat will not allow you to change it to something else.
Instead, you’ll likely need to contact Snapchat support to have your inappropriate or offensive username reset to something neutral before you can change it again. This is to prevent users from simply switching from one inappropriate name to another.
So if your username contains slurs, threats, insults, or profanity, Snapchat will block you from changing it on your own. You’ll need assistance from their support team first.
Your Account is Suspended or Locked
If your Snapchat account is currently suspended or locked due to terms of service violations, you will be unable to change your username. Snapchat restricts access to account settings, including the username field, for suspended accounts.
Common reasons for suspended accounts include using third-party apps, sending spam, bullying/harassment, posting inappropriate content, and violating Snapchat’s other community guidelines. The suspension will prevent any changes until it has been lifted.
If this is why you can’t change your username, you will need to appeal your suspension and have it removed before the option becomes available again. Only Snapchat can reinstate suspended accounts.
You Need to Verify Your Account
In some cases, Snapchat may prompt you to verify your account before allowing a username change. This usually occurs if Snapchat suspects your account may have been compromised or is being used in violation of their terms.
The verification process involves confirming your identity by providing your phone number and sometimes additional information. Once your account has been verified, the restriction on changing your username should be lifted.
If Snapchat is asking you to verify before changing your username, it’s important to cooperate fully with their process to regain access to your account settings.
Your Account Was Compromised
If your Snapchat account was hacked, the hacker may have changed your username already. Snapchat limits username changes to prevent issues like this.
You’ll need to recover your compromised Snapchat account before you can attempt to change the username again. This involves using Snapchat’s account recovery process to reset your password and reclaim control of your account.
Once you have secured your account, the option to change your username should become available again barring any other restrictions.
You Have a Newer Version of the App
In rare cases, having an outdated version of the Snapchat app may cause issues changing your username. If the app has not been updated recently, you may be missing features or encountering bugs.
Updating to the latest version of Snapchat from your device’s app store often resolves problems changing your username and other account settings. Be sure you have installed all available updates.
Steps to Take
If Snapchat is denying your attempt to change usernames, here are some steps to take:
- Check if you changed your username recently – you may have to wait 30 days.
- Make sure your current name doesn’t violate Snapchat’s rules.
- Verify your account is not suspended or locked.
- Complete any account verification steps if prompted.
- Recover your account if it appears to be compromised.
- Update the Snapchat app to the latest version.
- Contact Snapchat support if issues persist.
Workarounds
If you are unable to change your username on Snapchat, here are some potential workarounds:
- Create a new Snapchat account with your desired username.
- Change your display name, which is different from your username.
- Add your desired name as a custom Snapchat emoji.
- Explain your situation to friends so they know your new account.
While inconvenient, creating a new account is the only guaranteed way to get a different username if Snapchat will not allow you to change your existing one. The other options can help distinguish you without changing the actual username.
Conclusion
Snapchat limits username changes to protect user experience and prevent abuse. If your attempt to change your username fails, don’t panic. Just review the possible reasons, take appropriate steps, and know there are some workarounds while you wait to modify it. With some patience, you should be able to update your Snapchat username.