How to perform a YouTube channel name change step by step

Since 2021, you can change your YouTube channel name without affecting your Google Account. To do this, simply go to your channel via your profile picture and open the channel settings.

Key Takeaways ⓘ

• Google Account: Renaming your YouTube channel no longer changes the name of your Google Account.
• Browser: Click your profile picture, select ‘View your channel’ and then ‘Customise channel’ to edit your name and handle in the ‘Profile’ tab.
• App: Tap your profile picture, open ‘View channel’ and tap ‘Edit channel’ or the pencil icon.
• Channel name vs. handle: The channel name is your display name and doesn’t have to be unique. The handle starts with @, is unique and is part of your channel URL.
• Verified channels: Changing your channel name removes the verification tick, so you’ll need to request it again.

Quick guide: How to change your YouTube channel name

In a browser

1. In the top right, click your profile picture and select ‘View your channel’.
2. Click ‘Customise channel’.
3. In the already open ‘Profile’ tab, you can now change your name and your alias or handle.
4. Then go to ‘Description’ if you also want to update the channel description.
5. Click ‘Publish’ to apply the changes.

In the YouTube app

1. Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap ‘View channel’.
3. You’ll see either some text under your name labelled ‘Edit channel’ or a pencil icon. Select the option that appears for you.
4. In the first line, change your YouTube name; in the second line, your alias or handle; and in the fifth line, your channel description.

How to change your YouTube channel name step by step

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to change your YouTube name (or your channel name). You can rename your YouTube channel in just a few steps, both in your desktop browser and in the YouTube app.

How to change your YouTube name in a browser

Step 1: Open the ‘View your channel’ menu item

Go to your profile picture and, in the menu that appears, click ‘View your channel’.

Step 2: Select ‘Customise channel’

You’re now in your YouTube channel menu. Here, click the ‘Customise channel’ button.

Step 3: Change your YouTube name

Click the line in the ‘Name’ section to change your account name, and the Alias line to change your handle. Unlike the username, handles are unique and change your account URL. Two lines below, you can also edit your channel description if you want.

When you’re done, confirm your changes by clicking ‘Publish’ in the top right.

How to change your YouTube name in the app

Step 1: Tap your profile picture and open ‘View channel’

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right.

Select ‘View channel’ to open the menu for customising your YouTube channel.

Step 2: Tap the ‘Edit channel’ button

In this menu, tap ‘Edit channel’. Alternatively, an icon shaped like a pencil will be shown instead.

Step 3: Edit your YouTube name and channel description

Now change your YouTube name, your alias or handle, and optionally the channel description as well.

What is the difference between channel name and alias?

The channel name is your channel’s display name. It appears on your channel page, under videos, and in search results. It isn’t unique, so multiple channels can have the same name. Your alias or handle, on the other hand, is a unique username that starts with ‘@’. It’s used in the URL, in mentions, and in comments.

What verified YouTube channels need to keep in mind

YouTube channels with more than 100,000 subscribers, as well as well-known individuals or brands, can apply for channel verification, which adds a verification tick to their profile. This is exactly the group that should think carefully before changing a YouTube channel name because once the name is changed, the verification tick is removed and must be requested again.