How to Change Your TikTok Name Before 7 Days

You’ve just updated your TikTok name, you triple-checked it for typos, but you spot a mistake milliseconds after hitting save. Or maybe you had a burst of creative genius five minutes later and came up with something even better. Now you’re staring at that dreaded notification: The username can just be changed once every seven days. Frustrating, right? This guide walks you through the steps users have taken to get around that seven-day waiting period and lays out a solid backup plan if those tricks don’t work for you.

First, The Standard Way to Change Your TikTok Name

Before we get into any workarounds, let's quickly cover the official process. If you’re not up against the time limit, changing your TikTok name (the one that appears on your profile) and username (your unique @handle) is straightforward. TikTok’s policy allows you to change your username once every 30 days and your name once every 7 days. This article specifically focuses on changing your name, which appears below your profile photo.

Here’s the standard way to do it:

1. Open the TikTok app and go to your Profile tab in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap the Edit profile button directly below your profile picture.
3. Select the Name option.
4. Type in your new desired name and tap Save.

If you've done this within the last week, this is when you'll see the warning locking you out. The restriction is there for a reason - it helps prevent spam, confusion, and people impersonating other creators by frequently changing their identity. While it’s well-intentioned, it’s not much help when you’ve made an honest mistake.

The Workaround: How to Potentially Change Your TikTok Name Before 7 Days

So, you’re stuck in the seven-day waiting room. What now? There’s one popular trick that some users have reported success with. It involves manipulating your phone's date and time settings to make the TikTok app think that seven days have already passed.

Understanding the Method: The Date & Time Trick

The logic is simple: Many apps with time-based lockouts use your device's internal clock to enforce the rule. By manually setting your phone’s date forward by seven or eight days, you can sometimes trick an app into lifting the restriction early. It doesn't always work, as some apps sync with their own servers to verify the time, but for simpler client-side checks, it can be an effective bypass.

A friendly heads-up: This is an unofficial method. It isn't guaranteed to work every time, as TikTok may update its app to close this loophole. Fiddling with your phone’s date can also temporarily affect other apps that rely on accurate time, like your calendar, reminders, or even messaging apps. The good news is that it’s easily reversible simply by changing your date and time settings back to automatic.

Step-by-Step Instructions for iPhone (iOS)

If you have an iPhone, the process is quick and just takes a few taps in your settings. Close the TikTok app completely before you start - double-tap your home button or swipe up from the bottom of your screen to pull up the app switcher, then swipe the TikTok window away.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on General.
3. Find and select Date & Time.
4. Toggle off the switch next to Set Automatically. This will allow you to manually change the date.
5. Tap on the current date, which will now be highlighted in blue.
6. In the calendar view, swipe to the next month or scroll the date wheel forward at least 8 days into the future. It’s better to go a little over seven days just to be safe.
7. Leave the Settings app and reopen TikTok.
8. Navigate back to Profile >, Edit Profile >, Name.
9. If the trick worked, you should now be able to enter your new name and save it.
10. Once you've successfully changed your name, go back to Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle Set Automatically back on to restore your correct date.

If you can now edit your name, congratulations! If not, don’t stress. Read on for some alternative options.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Android

The process for Android users is very similar, though the exact names of the settings menus might differ slightly depending on your device manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.). As with the iPhone, make sure the TikTok app is completely closed before you start.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and tap on General Management or System (look for the section that contains your device’s date and language settings).
3. Tap on Date and time.
4. Disable the toggle for Automatic date and time. This will unlock the manual settings.
5. Tap on Set date and use the calendar interface to advance the date by at least 8 days.
6. After saving the new date, leave the Settings app and reopen TikTok.
7. Go to your profile (Profile >, Edit Profile >, Name).
8. With a little luck, the field will be editable. You can now enter your new name and save it.
9. Important: Remember to go back to your Settings >, System >, Date & Time and re-enable Automatic date and time so your phone works correctly.

What to Do If the Workaround Doesn't Work

So, you tried the trick, but TikTok is still locking you out. As apps become more sophisticated, local hacks like the date trick are less likely to work. But you still have a couple of solid options left.

Option 1: Reach Out to TikTok Support

This approach requires patience, but it can sometimes work if you get a helpful agent. TikTok Support handles account issues, and a one-time name change is a small request in the grand scheme of things. You're basically asking them to manually reset the cooldown period.

How to contact TikTok Support:

• Navigate to "Report a Problem": Open the TikTok app and navigate to your profile page. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner, then select Settings and privacy.
• Find the right topic: Scroll down until you see Report a problem. From there, you can narrow down topics like "Account and profile" to "Editing profile." Sometimes you might need to find a more general category like "Suggestions."
• Write a clear, polite ticket: When you find the form to type your issue, explain the situation simply and politely. Be honest and explain that you accidentally made a typo or changed your mind immediately after saving. Ask politely if they can make a one-time exception for you and reset the seven-day cooldown.

Be prepared to wait. You might get an automated answer or be told to stick to their policy. However, a few minutes of your time to write a polite note might just be the solution.

Option 2: The Strategic Move - Use the 7-Day Wait to Your Advantage

If the trick doesn't work and support isn't immediate, the best thing to do is reframe the seven-day waiting period as a strategic branding opportunity. Frustrating as it may be, it stops you from making another passive mistake and forces you to be thoughtful.

Reflect on Your New Name

Use this time to truly nail down the perfect name. Is it easy to spell and say? Does it reflect your niche and brand? Is it memorable? Write it down, try variations, and say them aloud. Get feedback from friends or trusted colleagues.

Check for Availability Everywhere

Once you're set on a great new name, make sure you can get it across all platforms. Your ideal TikTok name should be consistent with your other social handles on Instagram, YouTube, X, and anywhere else you are active. Brand consistency is huge for building a recognizable presence. Use a username checker tool to see if the handle is available before you commit.

Plan Your Content Strategy

With your name on hold, you're free to refocus on what matters most: your content. This is the perfect time to brainstorm ideas, draft scripts for short TikToks, or outline an upcoming campaign. When you are finally able to change your name, you can hit the ground running with fresh, exciting content ready to go.

Final Thoughts

While being stuck with a name-change time limit can be annoying, you have options. The time-and-date trick is worth a try for a fast fix, though it's not guaranteed. Failing that, the most practical routes are reaching out to TikTok Support or using the waiting period to perfect your branding identity across all platforms.

As you build your brand, we know it can be overwhelming to manage multiple social media accounts. Instead of jumping between TikTok, Instagram, and others, a platform like Postbase gives you a single visual calendar to plan, schedule, and see everything in one place. This makes it easier to keep your new branding stylistically consistent, especially after you've put so much thought into perfecting it.