Changing your Facebook name or username can be a straightforward process, but it's essential to follow the correct steps to avoid any issues. Here’s a detailed guide on how to change your Facebook name or username, including some helpful tips that you might not find elsewhere.
How to Change Your Facebook Name
Changing your Facebook name is different from changing your username, and it involves updating the name that appears on your profile.
On a Computer
- Access Settings: Click on the dropdown tab icon at the top right corner of the Facebook page.
- Navigate to Settings: Select “Settings” from the “Settings & Privacy” tab.
- Update Your Name: Click on “Name” and enter your new name in the name field.
- Review and Save: Click “Review change,” then save your new name by entering your password.
On Mobile Devices
- Open the App: Open the Facebook app on your Android or iPhone.
- Access Settings: Tap the icon displaying three stacked horizontal lines (at the top right for Android or bottom right for iPhone).
- Navigate to Settings: Tap the settings tab and choose “Settings & Privacy.”
- Update Your Name: Select “Personal and account information,” then “Name.”
- Enter New Name: Enter your new name and tap “Review Change.”
- Save Changes: Enter your password to save changes.
How to Change Your Facebook Username
Your Facebook username is a unique identifier that allows friends to find your profile easily. Here’s how to change it:
On a Computer
- Access Settings: Click your profile image, then click “Settings & privacy” followed by “Settings.”
- Navigate to Meta Accounts Center: Click “Meta Accounts Center.”
- Select Your Profile: Click “Profiles” and choose your Facebook profile.
- Update Your Username: Click “Username” and enter your new username.
- Save Changes: Click “Done” to save your new username.
On Mobile Devices
- Open the App: Open the Facebook app on your Android or iPhone.
- Access Menu: Tap the menu icon (at the top for Android or bottom right for iPhone).
- Navigate to Settings: Tap “Settings & privacy,” then “Settings.”
- Access Meta Accounts Center: Tap “Meta Accounts Center.”
- Select Your Profile: Tap “Profiles” and choose your Facebook profile.
- Update Your Username: Tap “Username,” enter your new username, and tap “Done”.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Username Availability
- Check Availability: When entering a new username, Facebook will indicate if the username is available. If it’s not, you may need to add numbers or letters to make it unique.
- Username Restrictions: Facebook may change your username if it does not comply with their terms and conditions, such as if it does not relate to your name in any way.
Name Change Limitations
- Frequency of Changes: You can change your Facebook name only once every 60 days. This is a security measure to prevent frequent changes.
- Name Standards: Ensure your new name complies with Facebook’s name standards, which require the name to match what’s on your legal identification.
Why Change Your Facebook Username?
Changing your Facebook username can be beneficial for several reasons:
- Professional Identity: A professional username can be more suitable for your current profession, especially if your previous username was a high school nickname.
- Search Ranking: Streamlining your usernames across different platforms can improve your search ranking.
- Brand Association: Changing your username to your business name or title can help people associate you with your profession.
- Privacy: Changing your username can make it harder for unwanted people to find your account, especially if they don’t know your legal name.
- Rebranding: Updating your username and profile photos can help break the association between your old and new personal brand.
Additional Tips
- Consistency: Ensure your new username matches your other social media profiles to maintain consistency and improve your online presence.
- Legal Name Requirement: Remember that your Facebook name must match what’s on your legal identification, while your username can be a nickname or any other unique identifier.
By following these steps and tips, you can easily change your Facebook name or username to better reflect your identity or brand.