Hey friend! Have you heard about Discord‘s new policy requiring all members to update their usernames? I know, it stinks to move on from handles we‘ve cherished for years. But the good news is, refreshing your identity on Discord takes only 3 quick and painless steps.
In this guide, I‘ll walk you through everything there is to know about changing your Discord username. We‘ll cover:
- Why Discord is enforcing strict new naming rules
- Step-by-step instructions to update your username
- How to customize your profile further with nicknames
- What to expect from Discord‘s rollout
Let‘s get you set up with a brand new Discord name!
Why Discord Is Cracking Down on Usernames
First, some background. In just a few years, Discord has exploded to over 150 million monthly active users. To put that into perspective, that‘s more people than the entire population of Russia!
With insane growth, Discord faced a unique challenge – most people couldn‘t find their friends on busy servers. And I definitely couldn‘t find my friends with usernames like CoolGamer5858.
Previously, Discord let users create duplicate names and uppercase letters. But at scale, this became chaotic. Finally, Discord decided to act by enforcing strict new username policies:
- All usernames must be 100% unique – no more duplicates even with 4 digit codes
- Only lowercase letters, numbers, periods and underscores – easier to search and recognize
- 2-32 characters per username – short and memorable is best
While veteran users aren‘t thrilled to abandon usernames they‘ve cherished for years, Discord believes these changes will help everyone connect easier. And based on the app‘s exponential growth, I can‘t argue with their logic!
Now that you know why Discord is updated their policies, let‘s get that new username set up.
Step 1: Access Your Account Settings
First, we need to access the settings menu to edit your profile.
On desktop, click the small grey cogwheel icon at the bottom left corner next to your current username. This opens up user settings.
On mobile, tap the 3 horizontal line "hamburger menu" icon instead. Then tap "User Settings" to manage your account.
From either platform, this will bring up your profile management portal. Time to update that outdated handle!
Step 2: Edit Your Username
Next, under the "My Account" tab, find the box with your current username. To the right, click the blue "Edit" button.
A small window will pop up prompting you to enter a new Discord username. Time to pick your new identity!
Step 3: Enter and Save Your Username
In this final step, type your new desired username adhering to Discord‘s new strict rules:
- Only lowercase letters
- Can include numbers
- Periods and underscores only for special characters
- 2-32 characters in length
When you‘ve picked the perfect name that stands out from over 150 million others, click "Done" at the bottom to make it official!
Your refreshed username will now update instantly across Discord. How easy was that?
With just 3 fast steps, you have a brand new Discord identity ready to take on your favorite communities!
Customize Your Profile Further
In addition to your global Discord username, you can tweak your profile even more with handy nicknames.
To set a display name everyone sees by default, follow the same Edit Profile flow but change your Display Name field instead.
For server specific nicknames, right click your name in a server, select "Change Nickname" and customize it to your liking!
When Will I Have to Change My Username?
Discord is gradually rolling out this new mandatory username policy to members over time. Here‘s what you can expect:
If you log in and see a "Please Update Your Username" prompt – it‘s officially your time. Follow the steps above to avoid losing your name!
Still waiting for the prompt? – Sit tight but I‘d recommend proactively choosing a new handle you love. Discord will eventually free up all duplicate names.
I‘d advise getting a jump start on the process rather than losing your identity to someone else!
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Access User Settings |
| 2 | Edit Username |
| 3 | Enter & Save New Username |
While abandoned our long-held Discord handles is bittersweet, connecting with all of our friends makes it worthwhile!
I hope these tips help you secure the perfect username before someone else snatches it up. Now get out there and update that profile!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are some names not allowed?
Even with unique names, Discord still prohibits offensive, defamatory or obscene usernames violating their Terms of Service. Get creative, but stay respectful!
What if my name gets taken already?
Popular names go quick with over 150 million members! Have backup name ideas ready in case your first choices get claimed.
Can I change my username more than twice per hour?
To prevent abuse, Discord enforces a limit of 2 username changes per hour. Set alarms if you need to brainstorm options!
What if I don‘t change my name manually?
Eventually, Discord will remove banned characters and automatically free up duplicate names. Don‘t lose your identity – change usernames on your own terms!
I hope this gives you everything you need to refresh your username. Now get out there, make some new friends, and have fun on Discord!
