How to Change Username on Bluesky

Thinking about changing your Bluesky username? This is the perfect guide for you. We’ll walk through exactly how to change your standard @handle and, more importantly, how to set a custom domain you own as your primary username - a unique feature that elevates your brand’s credibility and security on the platform.

Understanding Your Bluesky Identity: The Handle vs. The Domain

Unlike other platforms where your username is a simple @, Bluesky gives you a federated, or portable, identity. This means your core identity can be tied to something you own, not just something you borrow. Your profile has two key identifiers, and understanding the difference is the first step.

Your Handle (@handle.bsky.social)

When you first sign up for Bluesky, you choose a handle. By default, this handle is attached to the Bluesky domain, creating a username like @yourname.bsky.social. This is your immediate, functional identifier on the network.

• It's your starter ID: Think of it as your default nickname. It works perfectly well for getting started, finding friends, and posting.
• It’s owned by the network: While you control it, your handle fundamentally lives on the `bsky.social` registrar. It’s part of the Bluesky ecosystem.
• It’s great for consistency: If you use the same handle across Instagram, X, and TikTok, grabbing the matching `@handle.bsky.social` is a smart move for brand recognition.

For many users, this is all they’ll ever need. But for brands, creators, journalists, and anyone serious about building a verifiable presence online, Bluesky offers a more powerful option.

Your Custom Domain (e.g., @yourbrand.com)

This is Bluesky's most distinct feature for user identity. You can set a domain name that you own as your username. Instead of `@mybusiness.bsky.social`, your username can simply be @mybusiness.com. When you see profiles like @techcrunch.com or @nytimes.com, you know they are genuine because they have proven ownership of that domain.

• It offers instant verification: You can’t fake owning a domain. This is stronger than any blue checkmark because it’s based on technical proof, not a payment or application. It immediately tells users you are who you say you are.
• It’s truly portable: Your domain is your identity. You own it completely. This aligns with the decentralized vision of the AT Protocol, which powers Bluesky. Your social graph and content are tied to an asset you control.
• It looks professional: Using your own domain reinforces your brand, looks incredibly clean, and serves as a subtle way to direct people to your website.

Switching between these or updating your handle is simple. Let's cover how to do both.

How to Change Your Bluesky Handle (@handle.bsky.social)

If you've had a change of heart about your initial `.bsky.social` handle - maybe you rebranded, want to match your other socials, or simply thought of something better - updating it takes just a minute. Bluesky’s system handles the redirection, so even if people go to your old profile, they will be sent to the new one.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Open the Menu: In the Bluesky app (both iOS and Android) or on the website, open the main navigation menu. On mobile, this is usually accessed by tapping your profile icon in the top left corner.
2. Go to Settings: Find and select "Settings" from the menu list.
3. Navigate to "Change Handle": Under the "Advanced" section, you'll see an option called "Change handle." Tap on it.
4. Choose Your New Handle: A screen will appear where you can type in your new desired handle. Just enter the part you want before `.bsky.social`. For example, if you want `@mynewbrand.bsky.social`, you just need to type `mynewbrand`. The system will automatically check for availability.
5. Save and Confirm: If the handle is available, you’ll get a green checkmark. Click the "Update" button to save your change. That's it! Your username is now updated across the network.

A Few Quick Tips Before You Switch:

• Have a Backup Plan: Popular handles are often taken. Come up with two or three alternatives in case your first choice isn’t available.
• Check for Consistency: If your goal is brand consistency, check that your desired handle exactly matches your branding on other platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X.
• Keep it Simple: The best handles are easy to remember, spell, and type. Avoid long strings of numbers, underscores, or confusing spelling unless it's a core part of your brand name.
• Note the Cooldown Period: To prevent handle-squatting, Bluesky typically implements a cooldown period on how frequently you can change it (often every 14 or 30 days). Make sure you’re happy with your choice before confirming.

The Ultimate Upgrade: Setting a Custom Domain as Your Username

Ready for the ultimate mark of authenticity? Using your own domain is a huge step up. It might sound technical, but it’s surprisingly straightforward. You just need to add one record in your domain registrar’s settings to prove you are the owner.

What You Need Before You Start

• A Domain Name: You must own a domain name (like `mycompany.com` or `firstname-lastname.net`).
• Access to Your DNS Settings: You need to be able to log in to your domain registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, Google Domains, etc.) and edit your DNS records.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Your Custom Domain

The process involves telling Bluesky your domain, and then adding a small piece of text (a TXT record) to your domain's settings to prove you own it.

1. Follow steps 1-3 from the section above to get to the "Change Handle" screen in your Bluesky settings.
2. Select "I have my own domain." Enter the domain you want to use in the text box (e.g., mycreative.studio) and click "Verify."
3. Bluesky will then show you the configuration details you need. It will be a TXT record for your domain with two parts:
   • Host (or Name): `_atproto`
   • Value (or Content): This will be a unique string starting with `did=...` Copy this entire `did` value.
4. Log in to Your Domain Registrar: Open a new browser tab and navigate to wherever you manage your domain (GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.). Find the DNS settings for your domain.
5. Add a New DNS Record: Click the option to "Add a New Record" and choose the "TXT" record type.
6. Fill in the Details:
   • In the Host (or Name) field, enter: _atproto
   • In the Value (or Content/Target) field, paste the unique `did=...` string you copied from Bluesky.
   • Leave the TTL (Time To Live) field at its default setting (usually 1 hour or automatic).
7. Save the Record: Save your new TXT record.
8. Verify on Bluesky: Go back to your Bluesky tab and click the "Verify DNS Record" button. Bluesky will now check to see if the record you just added exists.

What If It Doesn’t Work Immediately?

Don't panic! DNS changes are not always instant. This is known as DNS propagation, and it can take anywhere from a few minutes to - in rare cases - a full day for changes to become visible across the global internet. If it doesn’t verify on the first try, go grab a coffee and try again in 30 minutes. You can also use a free online tool like `dnschecker.org` to check if your new TXT record for `_atproto.yourdomain.com` is publicly visible yet.

Choosing the Right Username Strategy for Your Brand

Now that you know how to make changes, what’s the right strategy? It depends on your goals.

For Personal Brands, Creators, and Journalists

Using a custom domain like @yourname.com is a massive power move. It acts as an instant credibility boost. It shows you’re a professional who has invested in their online identity. It ties your journalism, your portfolio, your art, or your consulting services directly to your social presence, creating a powerful, unified brand recognized across the web.

For Businesses and Organizations

For any established business, using your primary domain - @businessname.com - is essential. It's the ultimate anti-impersonation tool. No one else can claim to be you. It builds immediate trust with customers. You can even get creative with subdomains for different parts of your company. For example:

• @yourcompany.com for the main brand account.
• @support.yourcompany.com for a customer service account.
• @engineering.yourcompany.com for a tech blog or developer relations team.

When a .bsky.social Handle Makes Perfect Sense

Not everyone needs a custom domain. For casual use, building a community around a hobby, or just staying connected with friends, a simple @handle.bsky.social is perfect. The key in that situation is brand consistency. If people know you as @greatestcreator everywhere else, snagging that same handle on Bluesky keeps things simple and makes you instantly recognizable to your existing audience.

Final Thoughts

Changing your Bluesky username is straightforward, whether you're updating your handle for a fresh look or setting a custom domain to solidify your brand identity. Following these simple steps gives you complete control over how you present yourself on the network, empowering you to build a verifiable and professional presence from day one.

Once your Bluesky identity is locked in, maintaining that brand's voice and message across all social platforms becomes the real work. For our own marketing, we use Postbase to see all our scheduled content in one visual calendar. It centralizes our planning across Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and LinkedIn so we can schedule posts everywhere at once while ensuring our branding and messaging stay beautifully consistent without having to live inside a dozen disconnected apps.