How to Change Your Reddit Username: Rules You Should Know!
You might be wondering: Can you change your Reddit username? No, users can’t modify their username once it is already selected. Most importantly, as per Reddit’s username policy, you can’t edit your username after choosing it, as it is permanent. Moreover, there is one exception where you can revise it.
If you’ve registered your Reddit profile with an Apple or Google account, you can edit it, but only within the first 30 days of signing up. After that, the username will become permanent. In that case, you can only set up a new account and then determine the Reddit username as per your choice.
To know more, read this detailed guide.
Important Points To Be Considered!
- Is it permanent? Usernames are permanent on Reddit, and users can’t edit them even later.
- Only Exception: It is allowed in a special case if you’ve created your account with a Google/Apple account within the first 30 days.
- What to do? Create a new Reddit account to make changes to the username.
- Consequence: All your Karma or reputation score will start from 0 in your new account.
What a Reddit Username Is?
A Reddit username is a unique public handle that determines your online presence across the platform. This username will display on every comment, post, as well as every engagement you make, starting with u/.
In addition, your name will be automatically chosen during the signup procedure. After that, it will be permanent so that it can maintain consistency and avoid impersonation. Moreover, it is tied to your moderation roles, karma, and account history.
Now, let’s dive into the key aspects of the username.
- You will gain a permanent identity on the Reddit platform.
- You will get the auto-generated names after signing up with a Google or Apple account.
Difference Between Display Name and Username
We understand that you may doubt whether the display and username are the same or not. Both are different. Here, we’ve prepared the differences in a tabular format that will resolve all your queries.
| Feature | Username | Display Name |
| Definition | Permanent identity is created when you sign up. | An optional name you can set for your profile. |
| Visibility | Always displayed on posts, comments, and interactions. | It is only visible on your profile page. |
| Editability | Cannot be changed once chosen (except during the initial 30-day window if signed up via Google/Apple). | Can be changed anytime in profile settings. |
| Purpose | Used to specify you across Reddit communities. | Used to customize your profile or add a friendly/creative touch. |
| Uniqueness | Must be unique across Reddit. | It does not need to be unique. Moreover, multiple users can have the same display name. |
| Impact | Directly tied to your karma, posts, and account history. | Cosmetic only; does not affect karma or account activity. |
| Example | digi_jadu123 (appears on posts/comments). | “Digi Jadu” (appears only on your profile). |
Can I Change My Reddit Username?
Generally, it is not possible to make any changes to your preferred username. But there is one exception where Reddit allows its users to make any edits to their username accordingly. An exception is if a user has chosen the sign-up process through their Google or Apple account; they can make changes within the initial 30 days only.
When Can You Change Your Reddit Username?
First of all, you can’t edit your Reddit username, as it becomes unchangeable the moment you set it up. However, Reddit has one exception: everyone has to meet all these criteria to make changes.
- The Sign-Up Exception: If you’ve set up your Reddit profile with the help of a Google or Apple account. Reddit will itself assign you a unique username.
- The 30 days: If you comply with the above requirement, you’ll get 30 days to edit your username. Beyond 30 days, the username will be permanent.
Pro Tip: It is necessary to think before you click. If you accept the username given by Reddit, you won’t be able to change your username. Apart from that, you’ll lose a 30-day grace period as well.
How to Change Your Reddit Username on Mobile & Desktop?
Here are the detailed walkthroughs for both devices, mobile as well as desktop. Let’s begin with the instructions on the Mobile. Then, we will talk about the desktop.
On Mobile:
- Download Reddit if you’ve not installed it.
- Go to its Profile.
- Choose My Profile.
- Look for Change Username, if possible.
Note: If the above option doesn’t appear on your mobile screen, you are no longer able to edit your username.
- Enter the specified username and choose Next.
- Pick Save Username.
On Desktop:
- Visit reddit.com and log in.
- Click on your Profile icon (top right corner).
- Check the menu: Look for an option that says Change Username.
- If you see it: Click it, enter your new name, and click Continue.
- If you DON’T see it: Stop here. Your username is permanent and cannot be changed.
How to Change Your Reddit Display Name?
Follow all these instructions so that you can easily edit your display name on your Reddit account.
- After browsing Reddit, move towards your Profile.
- Choose View Profile.
- Again, head to your profile.
- Pick “Update Settings” from the drop-down list.
- Choose Profile.
- Look for Display Name. Click on it and then make changes.
- Click on Save.
What to Do If You Can’t Change Your Username?
If you are facing problems because Reddit is not allowing you to change the username, here we have provided two options. You can choose any of them.
Option 1: Create Your New Account:
- Visit www.reddit.com.
- Head to the Profile Menu.
- Choose Log Out.
- Tap on Sign Up.
- Set up your new Reddit account by adding your email ID and password.
Note: All karma, or your reputation score, will not shift to your new account. In short, you’ll lose your status.
Option 2: Change Temporary Username:
- Checked Account: If you’ve logged in with an Apple or Google account, check whether you’ve passed the 30-day window for changing the username or not.
- Where to Go: Proceed towards Settings and then opt for Profile.
Common Errors While Changing Reddit Username and How to Fix Them
Most of the time, while changing the username of a Reddit account, users may face these possible errors. We will also let you know how you can get rid of them.
Error 1: You have registered your account with Google or Apple, but the Change Username option is not available.
Solution: Users will only get a one-time 30 days window where they can effortlessly change their Reddit username. Moreover, this option will disappear when you ignore this prompt or you’ve agreed to the Reddit-provided username.
Error 2: The newly mentioned username is not available or invalid.
Solution: The targeted username may have already been taken by another individual, or you are not following the guidelines of Reddit to make a new username.
Policy of Reddit:
You won’t be able to see the Change Username option.
This is the policy of Reddit: the username is permanent and can’t be edited. You can only edit the username when you are setting up another account.
Best Practices When Choosing a Reddit Username
We all know that Reddit usernames can’t be edited after choosing. Thus, what you can do is be more careful while picking the perfect username. Read all these best practices to have a better idea.
- Don’t use your real name or any confidential data while creating your Reddit username.
- Opt for multiple Reddit accounts for numerous purposes to maintain your online identity.
- Merge your hobbies with unique words to create a new username.
- Make the username shorter to remember.
- Consider using a username availability on Reddit.
The End Verdict!
Reddit has a policy that its usernames can’t be changed, as they are permanent. Usernames can only be edited when you’ve chosen the Google or Apple account within the initial 30-day registration period. Moreover, if the window of 30 days has passed, you have only one option to set up a new account. So, it is necessary to choose the perfect username, as we already know that it can’t be changed easily.
Also Read :- How to Delete Reddit History?
Commonly Asked Queries and Their Solutions
Check out all these additional queries that we have prepared only for you.
Q1. Is a Reddit username permanent?
Ans. YES! After choosing the username for your account, it will become permanent.
Q2. Why won’t Reddit let me choose my username?
Ans. If a user is considering choosing their Reddit username after exceeding 30 days of logging in to their account via a Google/Apple account, Reddit doesn’t have a policy to let them pick a username accordingly.
Q3. How often can I change my username on Reddit?
Ans. You won’t be able to change your username on Reddit because of its policy. Only one exception: signing up with a Google/Apple account within the initial 30 days grace period, which allows you to make edits.
Q4. Can I have multiple Reddit usernames?
Ans. YES! Users can have as many Reddit usernames as they want. Moreover, you can create accounts with the same email address as well.
Q5. Can I hide my username on Reddit?
Ans. No! Your username can’t be hidden on your Reddit account, as it is properly and completely linked with your existing Reddit account.
Q6. How to change Reddit username before 30 days?
Ans. If you’ve chosen your Google or Apple account, you can easily edit your Reddit username. Here’s how you can execute it.
- Open Reddit or visit its official site.
- Navigate to Profile.
- Click on it.
- Search for Change Username.
- Tap on it. (If you are eligible).
Reference Links:
https://www.reddit.com/r/reddithelp/comments/150cpna/how_do_i_change_my_reddit_name/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F00puGxxKgo