You can change your PayPal username, but only once every 30 days

PayPal lets you change the username you use to log in, but the process has real limits. You can change it once every 30 days, and you cannot go back to a username you used before. The change takes effect when ready after you confirm it, so plan ahead if you share your login details with anyone or use it for automatic payments.

Your username is different from your display name. The username is what you type into the login field. The display name is what other people see when you send them money. You can change your display name anytime without waiting 30 days, but if you want to change what you type to log in, you need to follow the steps below.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your PayPal username once every 30 days by going to Account Settings and selecting Login and Security.
  • Your new username takes effect right away, so anyone using your old login details will be locked out until they update them.
  • You cannot reuse a username you have had before, and you cannot change back to your original username.
  • If you forget your username, you can recover it by entering your email address on the PayPal login page.

Steps to change your username on the PayPal website

Log into your PayPal account on a computer or phone browser. Click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select Account Settings. On the left side of the page, click Login and Security.

Under the section labeled Username, click the pencil icon or the Edit button next to your current username. Type your new username into the field. PayPal will tell you right away if the username is already taken or if it breaks their rules — usernames cannot contain certain characters or be offensive. Once you enter a username PayPal accepts, click Change Username or Confirm.

PayPal will ask you to confirm your identity by entering your password or a code sent to your email or phone. Enter that code, and your username changes when ready. You will be logged out, and the next time you log in, you must use your new username.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Your old username becomes available for someone else to use after you change it. This happens right away — there is no waiting period. If you are worried about someone taking your old username, change it to something you do not mind being public. Do not change it to something that looks like a password or contains personal information.

Anyone who has your old username saved in their phone or password manager will not be able to log in until they update it. If you share your PayPal login with a family member or business partner, tell them your new username before you change it, or change it when you are both available to update their saved details.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This rule applies even if you want to change it back to your old username — you cannot do that. PayPal enforces this to prevent account takeovers and to keep usernames stable for people who send you money regularly.

If you made a mistake and want to change your username right away, you cannot. You have to wait the full 30 days. Plan your username change carefully, because you are stuck with it for at least a month.

Changing your display name instead of your username

If you do not want to wait 30 days, you can change your display name right now. Your display name is what appears on payment receipts and in other people's transaction history when you send them money. It has no login restrictions and you can change it as often as you want.

To change your display name, go to Account Settings, click Profile, and then click the pencil icon next to your name. Type your new display name and click Save. This change takes effect when ready and does not affect your login username at all.

If you forget your username

Go to the PayPal login page and click Forgot username? or Can't log in? Enter the email address or phone number linked to your account. PayPal will send you a message with your username or a link to reset it. Check your email or text messages, including your spam folder.

If you do not have access to the email or phone number on your account, you will need to contact PayPal directly. Go to the Help Center, scroll to the bottom, and click Contact Us. Select the issue related to logging in, and PayPal will offer phone, email, or chat support.

Security reasons to change your username

Change your username if you think someone else knows it and might try to log into your account. A username alone is not enough to break in — they also need your password — but changing it removes one piece of information they have. If you have reused your PayPal username on other websites and one of those sites was hacked, change your PayPal username as a precaution.

Do not change your username just because you are worried about privacy. Your username is not private — anyone you send money to can see it in their transaction history. If you want to keep your name private from people you pay, use a display name that does not include your real name, and keep your username generic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on the PayPal app instead of the website?

Yes. Open the PayPal app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down and tap Settings, then tap Login and Security. Tap the pencil icon next to your username and follow the same steps as on the website.

What if my new username is already taken?

PayPal will tell you when ready when you try to save it. Choose a different username and try again. Usernames are first-come, first-served, so if someone else has the one you want, you cannot use it.

Do I need to update my username on Venmo or other apps if I change my PayPal username?

No. Venmo and other apps linked to PayPal use your PayPal account in the background, but they have their own separate usernames. Changing your PayPal username does not change your username on any other app.

Will changing my username affect my payment history or linked bank accounts?

No. Your payment history stays the same, and your linked bank accounts, credit cards, and addresses remain connected to your account. Only the username you use to log in changes.

Can I use my email address to log in instead of a username?

Yes. PayPal lets you log in with either your username or the email address linked to your account. You do not have to use the username if you prefer to use your email.