How to Change Your Steam Name (and What You Can't Change)

Your Steam name is the one from when you were 14, and now your friends list sees it every time you launch a game. Good news: the name other people see is your profile name, and you can change it as often as you like, for free, in about thirty seconds.

The fast way, on the Steam desktop app: click your name at the top right > View my profile > Edit Profile, type a new Profile Name, and click Save.

The catch is that Steam has three different "names", and only one of them is the one you are thinking of. The other two are fixed for good. Here is which is which before you start.

The three Steam names, explained

There is also your SteamID, the long number behind your account. That is permanent too, and you do not need to worry about it.

Change your Steam profile name on PC or Mac

This works in the Steam desktop client on Windows, macOS and Linux, and on the Steam website in a browser.

1. Open Steam and sign in.
2. Click your profile name at the top right of the window, then choose View my profile. (You can also hover over your name in the top menu bar and click Profile.)
3. On your profile page, click Edit Profile on the right.
4. You land on the General section. Change the text in Profile Name.
5. Scroll down and click Save.

Your new name shows up for friends right away. It may take a few minutes to appear everywhere, and some games only pick it up the next time you launch them.

While you are in General, the Custom URL box is also worth a look. Setting one gives you a short link like steamcommunity.com/id/yourname instead of a long number, which is easier to share.

Change your Steam name on your phone

The Steam mobile app for iPhone and Android can do it too, though Valve moves things around in app updates.

1. Open the Steam app and tap your avatar at the top.
2. Open your profile, then tap Edit Profile.
3. Change the Profile Name and tap Save.

If you do not see an Edit option in the app, open steamcommunity.com in your phone's browser, sign in, and follow the desktop steps above. The website works on any screen size.

Clear your old Steam names (aliases)

Steam keeps a list of your recent names. Anyone who views your profile can click the small arrow next to your name and see what you used to be called. If your old name is the reason you are changing it, clear the list too.

1. Go to your profile page.
2. Click the small arrow (drop-down) next to your profile name.
3. Click Clear previous aliases.
4. Confirm with OK.

The list empties straight away. It starts filling again the next time you change your name, so if you are trying a few options, clear it once more at the end.

Rules for Steam names

• No cooldown. You can change your profile name as many times as you want. There is no fee and no waiting period.
• Length. Profile names can be up to 32 characters.
• Not unique. Two people can have exactly the same profile name. Your SteamID and custom URL are what make you unique.
• Special characters and emoji mostly work, but some games show them as boxes or question marks. If a game shows your name wrong, keep it simple.
• Follow the rules. Names that break the Steam Online Conduct rules (slurs, impersonating Valve staff, scams) can lead to a ban. Do not try to pose as a Steam Support account: it is the most common trade scam trick.

When the change does not stick

• Name reverts after a few minutes: you may have more than one Steam window or device open. Close Steam fully on every device, sign in on one, and change it again.
• Save button greyed out: something on the page failed to load. Refresh the page, or try the website in a browser.
• Limited account: new accounts that have not spent $5 on Steam have limits on community features. You can still set a profile name, but some profile options stay locked until you add funds or buy a game.
• The game still shows the old name: some games cache your name, and a few use their own in-game name instead. Restart the game. For games with a separate launcher (EA, Ubisoft, Riot), change the name in that launcher.

Related

FAQs

Can I change my Steam account name?

No. The account name you sign in with is permanent, and Steam Support cannot change it. You can change your profile name, which is the name everyone else sees, as often as you like.

How many times can I change my Steam name?

As many times as you want. Steam has no limit, no fee and no cooldown on profile name changes.

Can people see my old Steam names?

Yes, by default. Your recent names are listed in a drop-down next to your name on your profile. To hide them, open your profile, click the arrow next to your name, choose Clear previous aliases and confirm.

Does changing my Steam name affect my games or friends?

No. Your games, achievements, inventory and friends list stay exactly the same. Friends simply see the new name, unless they have set a nickname for you.

Will my new Steam name show in games right away?

On the friends list and in chat, yes, within a minute or two. Some games only update your name the next time you start them, and games with their own accounts use the name from that account.

What is the difference between a Steam profile name and a custom URL?

The profile name is the display name shown to other players. The custom URL is the web address of your profile page. Both are set in Edit Profile, and changing one does not change the other.