Quick answer
Sign in to YouTube Studio, select Customization > Profile, enter the new name or change the Handle, then click PUBLISH. YouTube says you can change each twice within 14 days, and a new name may take a few days to show everywhere. If you can’t change the name, delete channel name translations first. If a handle is taken, try adding periods, numbers or underscores. Changing your channel name doesn’t change your Google Account name, and YouTube says it removes your verification badge.
Does this match what you see?
- YouTube won’t let you save a new channel name.
- Your new name doesn’t show everywhere yet.
- The handle you want says it’s unavailable.
- You changed your Google Account name, but your channel name didn’t change.
iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)
Based on YouTube Help pages read directly from support.google.com, with steps for YouTube Studio on a computer and the YouTube app on iPhone, iPad and Android.
Why this happens: the possible causes
Why a name or handle change may not work, according to YouTube.
| What’s happening | Reason |
|---|---|
| Can’t change the name | Limit reached or translations |
| New name not showing | Can take a few days |
| Handle unavailable | Taken or against guidelines |
| Google name changed instead | They’re separate |
- You’ve used both changes in 14 daysCheck this first
YouTube says you can change your name, and your handle, twice within a 14-day period.
- Channel name translationsPossible
YouTube says if you can’t update the name, delete any channel name translations first.
- The handle is taken or not allowedPossible
YouTube says another channel may already use it, or it may not meet the handle naming guidelines.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Change the name in YouTube Studio, not in your Google Account.
- Waited a few days? YouTube says a new name can take that long to show.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Change your channel name or handle in YouTube Studio
YouTube says you can change your channel name as long as it follows the Community Guidelines.
iPhone & iPad
- Tap your profile picture, then View channel at the top.
- Name: tap the Edit icon under your channel description, then the Edit icon next to your name. Enter the new name and tap Save.
- Handle: tap the Edit icon, find your handle in the Handle section, tap the edit control to its right, type the new handle and tap Save.
Android
- Tap your profile picture, then View channel at the top.
- Name: tap Edit next to your name, enter the new name and tap Save.
- Handle: tap Edit, find your handle in the Handle section, tap the edit control to its right, type the new handle and tap Save.
Computer (browser)
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- In the left menu, select Customization, then Profile.
- Enter the new name, or view and change your Handle.
- Click PUBLISH.
YouTube says a new name may take a few days to appear across YouTube. If a handle is taken in the app, YouTube suggests a similar one.
Did it work? Your channel page shows the new name or handle.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Why you can’t change your name
- Limit: YouTube says you can change your channel name twice within 14 days. The handle has the same limit.
- Translations: if the name won’t update, YouTube says to delete any channel name translations first.
- Guidelines: the name must follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines.
- Google Account name: YouTube says your Google Account name and picture are separate, and changing them doesn’t change your channel name.
Handle taken or unavailable
YouTube says if your preferred handle is taken, try adding periods, numbers or underscores. If it’s still unavailable, another channel may be using it, or it may not meet YouTube’s handle naming guidelines.
Switching back to your old handle
YouTube says it holds your previous handle for 14 days in case you want to switch back. During that time, both your old and new handle URLs work. After that, the old handle becomes available for other people to choose.
YouTube also says the only way to hide your handle is to delete or hide your channel.
Verified channels: renaming removes the badge
YouTube says changing your channel name removes your verification badge. Our note: if the badge matters to you, think carefully before renaming.
How to know it worked
- Your new name or handle shows on your channel page and in YouTube Studio.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Did someone else change your name? See YouTube channel hacked.
- Changing a Facebook name instead? See Change your name on Facebook.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can I change my YouTube channel name?
YouTube says twice within a 14-day period. The handle has the same limit.
Why can’t I change my YouTube channel name?
You may have used both changes in 14 days, or your channel may have name translations. YouTube says to delete them first.
Will I lose my verification badge if I change my name?
Yes. YouTube says changing your channel name removes your verification badge.
Can I get my old YouTube handle back?
YouTube says it holds your previous handle for 14 days. After that, others can choose it.
Does changing my Google Account name change my YouTube name?
No. YouTube says they’re separate.
Did this solve your problem?
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Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Manage your YouTube channel’s profile (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Change, view, or hide your handle (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 28 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 28 April 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 28 October 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google or YouTube. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.