You can change your YouTube “username” in two main places now: your channel name and your @handle , both on desktop and mobile. Both are edited from your channel profile or YouTube Studio settings.

Quick Scoop

  • Your public identity on YouTube is now mainly your channel name and your @handle (for example, @yourname).
  • You can edit both any time from YouTube Studio → Customization → Basic info on desktop, or from your channel edit screen in the app.
  • Changes usually update quickly across comments, channel pages, and URLs, but may take a short time to appear everywhere.

Change username on desktop

Use this if you’re on a laptop/PC and want the most control.

  1. Go to YouTube in a browser and sign in.
  2. Click your profile picture (top‑right) and open YouTube Studio.
  1. In the left sidebar, click Customization.
  2. Open the Basic info tab.
  3. To change your channel name :
    • Edit the Name field to your new channel name (this is what viewers see on your channel and in many places on YouTube).
  1. To change your @handle / username :
    • Edit the Handle field to your new desired handle (this becomes your @username and is tied to your channel URL).
  1. Click Publish to save and apply your new name and handle.

Tip: Pick something short, memorable, and aligned with your niche or brand, and check that it’s not already widely used elsewhere.

Change username in the YouTube app

Great if you mostly use YouTube on your phone.

  1. Open the YouTube app and sign in.
  2. Tap your profile icon (top‑right).
  3. Tap Your channel (or View channel).
  1. Tap the pencil/edit icon on your channel page.
  2. To change channel name :
    • Tap the Name field, enter your new name, then Save.
  1. To change @handle :
    • Tap the Handle field, type your new handle (for example, @newbrandname), then Save.

Your new name will show on your channel and in comments; your new handle will show in mentions and as part of your channel URL.

Things to know before changing

  • YouTube may limit how often you can change your name in a short period (historically a few times per 90 days), so avoid changing too frequently.
  • Handles must be unique; if your first choice is taken, you’ll need to try another variation.
  • Names and handles must follow YouTube’s community guidelines (no misleading, abusive, or prohibited terms), or they may be rejected.

Simple HTML table version

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Method</th>
      <th>What you change</th>
      <th>Key steps</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Desktop (YouTube Studio)</td>
      <td>Channel name &amp; @handle</td>
      <td>Profile &gt; YouTube Studio &gt; Customization &gt; Basic info &gt; Edit Name/Handle &gt; Publish.[web:5][web:7][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Mobile app</td>
      <td>Channel name &amp; @handle</td>
      <td>Profile icon &gt; Your channel &gt; Pencil icon &gt; Edit Name/Handle &gt; Save.[web:1][web:3][web:7][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR: Go to your channel edit screen (in YouTube Studio on desktop or the app’s channel page on mobile), then update both your channel name and @handle , and hit Publish/Save to lock in your new YouTube username.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.