Reddit is a popular social media platform with over 300 million users. Occasionally, users may intend to change their username, either from the Reddit-assigned username or a previous username – if possible. This article explains how and when you can change your username and the nuances concerning changing usernames on the platform.
Is it possible to change my Reddit username?
Changing usernames on Reddit is tricky as the platform does not allow users to change their usernames once finalised. When potential Redditors set up their accounts, they can select their preferred username or get an auto-generated username. For example, if you registered with Reddit with your Google or Apple account rather than create one from scratch, you will get a randomly assigned name on Reddit.
Changing this randomly assigned name is possible and easy. However, you cannot change it again once you change it to your preferred username. However, you also get a display name (on your profile), which you can change anytime.
Changing a randomly assigned username
Web browser
Changing your randomly assigned username on the Reddit desktop website is easy. First, you locate the dropdown icon at the top right corner of the screen, next to your username icon. Clicking on the dropdown will reveal a series of links, including your “online status,” your “profile”, and a link to your avatar. Select “Your profile.”
Selecting “your profile” will take you to a different window that lets you access and control different aspects of your Reddit profile. Right below the page’s control bar, you will find a series of options, including “Overview,” “Posts,” “Comments,” “Saved,” “Hidden,” “Upvoted,” “Downvoted,” “Awards Received,” and “Awards Given.” Ideally, you will get a pop-up requesting that you update your username. Click “Change Username.” Input the username you prefer, ensuring it is between three and 23 characters. Select “Continue” once you are done with inputting the username.
Keep tabs on the red text below the textbox because it lets you know if the username you are inputting is acceptable. As you will be unable to change this username again, Reddit will inquire as to whether you are sure you want to use the username. Select “Save Username” if you are certain.
Mobile app
You can also change your randomly assigned username via the Reddit mobile app. The first step is to click on the profile icon at the top right corner of your screen. After that, click on the “My Profile” option. The account must be fairly new with an existing auto-generated username to work.
Like the web browser, you will get a pop-up requesting that you update your username. Click “Change Username.” Input the username you prefer, ensuring it is between three and 23 characters. Select “Continue” once you’re done with inputting the username.
If you must change your Reddit username after it is finalized, you may have to create a new Reddit account. However, this will mean losing all your important information and karma points on the old account as you cannot sync both accounts. Furthermore, deactivating your account does not render the username usable.
Changing your Reddit display name
Unlike the Reddit username that is permanent once you have finalised it, you can repeatedly change your Reddit display name. Here is how to change your Reddit display name on various Reddit platforms.
Web browser
To change your display name on the Reddit browser, locate the dropdown icon next to your username icon at the top right corner of the screen. Clicking on the dropdown will reveal a series of links, including your “online status,” your profile, and a link to your avatar.
Below these links is the “user settings” link. Clicking on user settings will take you to a page with multiple options, including “account,” “profile,” “safety and privacy,” “feed settings,” “notifications,” “subscriptions,” and “chat and messaging.” Ideally, you will arrive at the “account” section, so you should navigate to “profile.”
Under profile, search for “Customize profile.” under which you will find the text box for your display name. Delete the previous display name and insert what you want to change it to. Once you are done, the page will automatically save your changes. Note that your display name cannot exceed 30 characters.
Mobile app
To edit your display name on Reddit’s mobile app, the first step is to click on the profile icon at the top right corner of your screen. After that, click on the “My Profile” option to go to your profile.
On your profile, look for and tap “Edit”. This would take you to a new page where you can edit your Reddit display name. Simply tap the text box to enter your preferred display name and click on “Save” at the top right corner to save your changes.
Unlike the old version of Reddit, you can change your display name on Reddit’s mobile website. Click on the three-line icon on the top right corner of your screen. It will reveal a panel that discloses your user name, link to your profile, link to your inbox, coins, premium, powerups, and your communities.
Under these, you will find “settings.” Clicking on this will subsequently reveal a dropdown, including “dark mode,” “ask to open app,” “language,” and “request desktop site.” Clicking on account settings will take you to a page with multiple options, including “account,” “profile,” “safety and privacy,” “feed settings,” “notifications,” “subscriptions,” and “chat and messaging.” You will arrive at the “account” section, so click on “profile” instead.
Under profile, search for “Customize profile.” under which you will find the text box for your display name. Delete the previous display name and insert what you want to change it to. Once you are done, the page will automatically save your changes. Note that your display name cannot exceed 30 characters.
Reddit display names differ from usernames because your Reddit display name is only visible on your profile. On the other hand, usernames are more permanent and are what other users will see on Reddit everywhere other than your profile. While other users can still view your display name, they may have to get on your profile before they can.