How to Change Your Username on Facebook

Ready to update your Facebook presence? Your username is more than just a login - it's your unique address on the platform, shaping the custom URL people use to find you. This article will walk you through exactly how to change your username for both your personal profile and your Facebook Page, detail the rules you need to follow, and provide troubleshooting tips for common issues.

First, Let's Clarify: Username vs. Name

Before we go any further, it's important to understand the difference between your Facebook name and your Facebook username. They are two separate things, and people often mix them up.

• Your Name (or Display Name) is what appears on your profile and in people's feeds. For a personal profile, this is your actual name, like "Jane Doe." For a Facebook Page, it's the official title, like "Jane's Coffee Shop." You can change this relatively easily, but Facebook has policies about using authentic names for profiles.
• Your Username (sometimes called a "vanity URL") is your unique identifier. It starts with an "@" symbol and creates a clean, custom link for your profile or page (e.g., facebook.com/JaneDoe or facebook.com/JanesCoffeeShop). This is what we're focusing on today.

Why does your username matter? A custom username makes your profile or Page look more professional. It's also much easier to remember and share on business cards, emails, or other social media bios than the generic, number-filled URL Facebook assigns by default.

How to Change Your Personal Profile Username (Desktop)

Changing your personal username is most reliably done from a desktop computer's web browser. The setting can be difficult to find or unavailable in the mobile app. Here's the most direct path:

1. Log in to your Facebook account on a desktop browser.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. From the dropdown menu, select Settings & Privacy, and then click on Settings.
4. You'll be taken to the Accounts Center. Click on your profile at the top of the left-hand menu.
5. On the next screen, select your Facebook profile again (if you have linked Instagram and Facebook accounts).
6. You will see options for Name, Username, Profile Picture, and Avatar. Click on Username.
7. In the "Username" field, your current username will be displayed. Delete it and type your desired new username.
8. Facebook will automatically check if the username is available. If it is, you will see a green checkmark. If not, you will see an error message, and you will need to try a different one.
9. Once you've chosen an available username, click the Done button. You may be asked to re-enter your password to confirm the change.

That's it! Your new username is active immediately, and your Facebook URL has officially changed. Remember to update this link anywhere you have it listed.

How to Change Your Facebook Page Username

If you manage a Facebook Page for a business, brand, or community, setting a custom username is a great way to improve branding. You must be an admin of the Page to make this change.

On Desktop (The Easiest Method):

1. Navigate to the Facebook Page you wish to update. Click your profile picture in the top right and select "See all profiles" to switch to managing your Page.
2. Once you are acting as your Page, click on your Page's profile picture in the top-right corner. It's the same process used on a normal page.
3. From the dropdown menu, select Settings & Privacy, and then click Settings.
4. On the General Page Settings screen, you'll see your Page Name at the very top. Right below it, you'll see Username.
5. Click the Edit link next to your current username (or next to "Username" if you've never set one).
6. Enter your desired new username in the box. Facebook will let you know if it's available.
7. If the username is approved, click Save Changes. You might need to enter your password to confirm.

A Note on Changing Page Usernames via Mobile:

While possible, changing a Page's username via mobile can be less straightforward. Depending on your version of the app and whether you're using the standard Facebook app or the Meta Business Suite, the steps can vary. Sometimes, the option is completely unavailable on mobile. For the most reliable experience and managing all branding elements, it's always best to use a desktop computer.

Important Rules & Restrictions for Facebook Usernames

Facebook has a few guidelines you need to follow when choosing or changing your username. If you're running into trouble, chances are you might be breaking one of these rules.

Username Requirements:

• It must be unique. No two profiles or Pages can have the same username. This is the most common reason a desired username is unavailable.
• It must be at least 5 characters long. You can't have a username like "@art" or "@biz."
• It can only contain alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9) and periods ("."). No spaces, dashes, or special symbols are allowed.
• Periods can't be used excessively or improperly. For example, jane.doe is acceptable, but jane.d.o.e is not. Usernames also cannot start or end with a period.
• It can't contain generic terms or extensions, like ".com", ".net", or ".org".
• It must adhere to Facebook's Terms of Service. This means no impersonating someone else, and no usernames that are harassing, offensive, or violate trademarks.

What Happens When You Change Your Username?

This is a big one: once you change your username, your old Facebook URL will no longer work. Anyone clicking a link with your old username will get an error page. That's why it's so important that you immediately update your URL on your:

• Website or blog
• Email signature
• Other social media profiles (like your Instagram bio or LinkedIn profile)
• Link-in-bio services
• Business cards and any printed marketing materials

Think of it like moving to a new house. You have to give everyone your new address, or they won't know how to find you.

Troubleshooting: Why Can't I Change My Username?

Running into an error? It's a common frustration. Here are some of the most frequent problems and how to solve them.

Problem: "This username isn't available."

The solution: This one is straightforward. Someone else already has it. The best course of action is to try a variation.

• Add a middle initial: Instead of @JaneDoe, try @JaneMDoe.
• Try using an industry keyword: Instead of @JanesCoffeeShop, maybe @JanesCoffeeNYC.
• Add "real" or "official": For a popular name, something like @TheRealJaneDoe might be open.
• Use periods thoughtfully: While you can't go crazy, something like @jane.fonda.official is a pattern used by many public figures.

Problem: "This Page isn't eligible to have a username."

The solution: This usually happens with brand-new Facebook Pages. In the past, Facebook required a Page to have a certain number of followers (typically 25) before it could get a custom username. While they are less strict on follower counts these days, having an active and recently created page is best practice. To fix this, you may need to:

• Make sure your page is published, updated, and looks complete.
• Make an inaugural post, such as a short, punchy welcome note.
• Engage authentically with a welcome post so it doesn't seem like a test account. Avoid spam, as genuine interaction on posts will get a better reaction from followers.

Follow these steps and then try setting your username again in a day or two.

Problem: "This username includes an invalid character."

The solution: Go back and check the username requirements. You've likely included a space, a hyphen (-), an ampersand (&), or some other symbol that isn't allowed. Stick strictly to letters, numbers, and periods.

Choosing the Perfect Username for Your Brand

Your username is a critical piece of your online brand identity, so don't choose it lightly. As social media pros manage and expand the reach of a personal brand, a small enterprise, or even a corporate brand - choosing the right username pays off.

Tips for a Strategic Username:

1. Maintain Consistency Across Platforms: The ideal scenario is having the exact same handle on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. This makes it incredibly easy for your followers to find you everywhere. Use a tool like Namechk to quickly see where your desired username is available.
2. Keep It Simple and Memorable: Try to avoid long strings of numbers, complicated spellings, or hard-to-remember character combinations. If people can easily type and say your username, they can more easily find and share it.
3. Make It Relevant: Your username should instantly communicate who you are or what you do. For a personal brand, your name is perfect. For a business, your full business name or a clear, recognizable variation is the best bet.

A good username is the foundation of brand recognition. It's your digital handshake - clean, professional, and consistent - making it a worthwhile, long-term investment in your social media strategy.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to change your Facebook username is fundamental to managing your online presence. You now understand the process - not just how to change your username but also what to consider - so you can make your profile URL something truly your own. Take the time to create a memorable and easy-to-find link to protect your brand, the right social handle, regardless of your business stage, can make all the difference.

Once you’ve aligned your brand across platforms with the perfect name, managing it is the other half of the equation. At Postbase, we eliminate the headache of keeping track of it all. Our clean, intuitive visual scheduler helps you plan all of your content - from Feed posts and Stories to Reels - across all platforms in one place. You can post from a simple dashboard, freeing up invaluable time and energy to focus on brand building - which is what really matters.