Tired of your Instagram username of a decade ago? Here’s how to change it!
Usernames are the lifeblood of most social media sites, but finding a good one is always a struggle.
Unless you created your account years ago, you are not likely to get the username you want, and even then you may regret it all these subsequent years.
If you’re like most of us and regret the choices you made in the past, you’ll be glad to know that it’s very easy to change your Instagram username to a better Instagrams username.
Show name vs username
Before making any rash decisions, you should know that there is a difference between Instagrams display name and username.
As a business or personal name, your display name has very few restrictions. You can change it as often as you like, and it doesn’t have to be unique. Changing the display name may be an easier solution for those looking for something easy to remember.
On the other hand, your username is what appears at the top of your Instagram account. It’s also how people tag you with an ‘ @ ‘, and what happens at the end of an Instagrams URL. Instagrams usernames also have a lot of limitations:
- unique to your account.
- Less than 30 characters.
- No spaces or periods (only letters and numbers).
- No profanity or restricted language.
Next, here’s how to change your Instagram username, along with some additional information you should know.
The Instagram app allows you to change your username
Instagrams is all about mobile, so the first method we will define is to use the Instagram app.
And it takes literally seconds to complete, assuming you’ve already thought of your new username. To change your Instagram username in the app, tap your avatar on the bottom right to open your profile. Then, hit the Edit Profile button at the bottom of your resume. Enter your new Instagram username in the username field , and click the check mark at the top right. And with that you are finished!
As mentioned earlier, there are certain restrictions on Instagram usernames, and if your new username doesn’t match them, you will see a red exclamation mark and a message saying “ Username not available .”
Keep trying different variations of your username until you find one that works.
For those who need to change their Instagram username step by step, we have listed the steps below in short.
Here’s how to change your Instagram username:
- Open the Instagram app and log in.
- Click on your avatar at the bottom right.
- Click Edit Profile at the bottom of your resume.
- Fill out the Username field with your new username.
- Click on the check mark at the top right.
How do I change my username on a computer?
Changing your Instagram username from the browser is just as easy. In fact, the steps are exactly the same, but some of the buttons are located in different places on the screen. Here’s what you need to do:
Go to Instagram.com and log in to your account. Next, click on your avatar at the top right of the screen. You can change your Instagram username by clicking the Edit Profile button next to your username at the top. When you’re done, click Submit.
Note that other than changing your Instagram username in the app, you will not receive a warning that the requested username is already in use. Instead, a small popup will tell you that the username is unavailable when you click the submit button.
Once again, we have included the step-by-step instructions below for your convenience.
How to change Instagram username on browser:
- Go to Instagram.com and log in.
- Click your avatar in the top right.
- Select the profile .
- Click Edit Profile next to your username.
- Type your new username in the Username field.
- Below the submission form, click Submit.
What happens when you change your Instagram username?
(Instagram username not found)
Once you click the Submit button on the web or click the check mark button on mobile, your Instagram username will be changed instantly and your previous username will be edited. This means that if someone else malfunctions, you will not be able to restore it. Changing your Instagram username also changes your account URL, which means that anywhere online that is associated with your account will now return the error shown above. Make sure any other websites or social media profiles you have around the web are up to date.
Changing your Instagram username will not reset the number of followers, but it may confuse them.The good news is that it’s still the same account, so you don’t have to start over. You will still have the same followers, although the change may confuse them. This may lead to lower engagement or unfollowing, but that shouldn’t be a concern for users just looking to share photos with friends.
Everywhere your Instagram account is displayed on Instagram will update automatically, so you don’t have to worry about old posts you commented on being linked to an account that doesn’t exist. However, posts you are tagged in may not be updated, and people looking to tag you in new posts will need to know your new username.
Why won’t Instagram let me change my username?
If Instagram doesn’t allow you to submit a new username, it probably doesn’t meet the above requirements. The most common error is related to the username being used, so try using another username.
Note that even if you try to change back to an old username, it’s possible that someone else took it while it was available and you won’t be able to get it back.
Another possible reason is app caching, which may happen when you change your username in the Instagram app. This is not a cause for concern, as everyone else will see your new username and it will usually be fixed after a few hours. If you are really worried about that, restart your phone. When that doesn’t do the trick, uninstalling and reinstalling Instagram is the silver lining that always works.
How to find someone on Instagram who changed their username
A new Instagram username may seem like a fresh start, but it’s still very easy to find for those who already know the account. If you already follow the account, it will still appear in your next list and new posts will still pop up in your feed. Another way to find Instagram accounts that have changed username is to search for their display name. Assuming the account is public and the display name is left as is, it should come up with a simple search.
The last way is to find another place where the account is linked. This could be an old post the account commented on, or someone else tagged it in a new post. With a little sleuthing, it’s not too hard to find a changed Instagram username, but please don’t worry about it.
