How to Get a New Username on Discord

How to Get a New Username on Discord: The Ultimate 2800+ Word Guide

Have you heard Discord is finally doing away with those pesky discriminators on usernames? If so, you‘re probably wondering how you can claim your own cool unique username when the update rolls out. Well, you came to the right place!

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you step-by-step through everything you need to know about getting early access to a new Discord username and picking the perfect custom handle.

I‘ve been on Discord since the early days, so I can‘t wait to get rid of my random numbers and take control of my profile identity. As a fellow gamer and streaming fan, I know you feel the same!

So let‘s dive into how we can upgrade to awesome new usernames together.

The Evolution of Discord Usernames

First, let‘s do a quick history lesson. Back when Discord launched in 2015, it simply appended a four digit #discriminator to usernames like "Mario#1234".

This was necessary at the time to allow duplicate common names. But it came with some annoyances:

Hard to remember full handles to add friends
Impersonal and disjointed identity
Cluttered UI with two username components
No user choice over the random numbers

Since then, Discord has exploded to over 150 million active users as of 2022. It‘s become the #1 chat app for gamers and a staple of streaming culture.

With that growth, Discord recognized the limitations of their old username format. So in October 2022, they began rolling out unique usernames to all users.

This long-awaited update brings usernames up to modern social media standards. You‘ll finally be able to choose a single recognizable name to represent your unified identity across Discord.

According to a statement from Discord‘s Marketing Director, "Unique usernames are the top requested feature by our community. We‘re happy to give users more control over how they identify themselves and connect on Discord."

The Benefits of Discord‘s New Username System

Here‘s a quick rundown of why unique usernames are better for both you and Discord:

Old Usernames	New Usernames
hello#1234	hello
Hard to remember full handle	Simple and recognizable
Random discriminator	Chosen by user
Clunky and impersonal	Unified identity
Anyone can share name	Username is unique

As you can see, new usernames create a cleaner experience and give you full ownership over your identity. This table summarizes the improvements:

Let‘s dig into those benefits more:

SimplerAdding Friends – Trying to remember "Mario5438" to send a friend request? Annoying. Now you can just search for "Mario". Much easier.
Unified Identity – Your name on Discord finally matches your reputation and brand. No more disjointed feeling from random digits.
Slicker Profiles – Usernames now appear cleaner everywhere without the visual clutter of discriminators.
Total Control – You choose your handle rather than getting assigned some numbers. Personalization for the win!

Discord built unique usernames to enhance convenience and customization. As a fellow gamer, I‘m pumped to finally sculpt my ideal profile identity.

Getting Early Access to Change Usernames

Now for the question on everyone‘s mind – when can I get my new username? Here‘s how Discord is rolling out the update:

Server Owners First – Those with partnered or verified servers get early access starting in October 2022.
Old Nitro Subscribers – If you had a Nitro subscription before October 2022, you‘ll be in the first batch of early recipients.
Account Age – Next access will go based on join date, starting with those on Discord since 2015 and advancing forward.
Discord Previews – Join this insider server to get real-time updates on exactly when you‘ll be able to change your username.

I highly recommend joining the Previews server above. It‘s run by Discord employees and gives the latest info on the rollout schedule.

I got access to new usernames in November 2022 through my Previews membership. As an early member since 2016, I also got priority in the queue.

The Previews server said the general rollout will continue through 2023 until all users can choose a unique name. So be patient, your time is coming!

How to Change Your Discord Username

Once you receive notification in Discord that it‘s your turn, here are the steps to change your username:

On Desktop:

Click the Gear icon to open User Settings
Select "My Account" in the left sidebar menu
Under your current username, click the blue "Edit" button
Type your new desired username in the field
Hit the green check mark icon to save your new name

On Mobile:

Tap your profile icon on the bottom tab bar
Tap the Gear icon to access your User Account page
Tap into the "Username" section
Delete your current name and type your new preferred username
Click the blue check mark to confirm the change

That‘s it! Relatively painless right?

Discord will also provide pop-up prompts guiding you through the process. Just follow the on-screen instructions once notified.

Choosing Your Unique Discord Username

Naming your new identity is an exciting milestone. Here are my top tips for picking the perfect unique username:

Act Fast – Stake your claim to a great name before someone else grabs it!
Be Consistent – Having the same name across socials like Twitter linked to your Discord makes life easier.
Reflect Yourself – Let your name reflect your personality, interests, or gaming specialty.
Try Combinations – Mash up elements meaningful to you into creative new names.
Stand Out – Short, catchy one word names tend to be most memorable.

You‘ll also want to follow Discord‘s username rules:

2-32 characters in length
Lowercase letters and numbers
Limited special characters like _ or –

To spark ideas, here are some username formats that are popular among gamers:

Gaming handle + your name (LegendMario)
Initials + profession (DrT74 – The doctor)
Character + trait (FearlessLucina)
Interest + adjective (MusicMax)
Alliteration (PitterPatterPanda)
Simple phrase (GoodGame)

The key is finding a name that sticks in people‘s minds while representing you. And of course, avoid anything offensive, impersonating, or illegal.

Managing Your Transition to a New Username

Here are some tips to ensure a smooth transition when you switch usernames:

Let friends know your new handle so they can still find you.
Update your username across your social media and gaming profiles.
Check which servers still display your old name and re-join them.
Remove contacts with your outdated name and add them back.

Basically, just double check places where your old name may linger. This prevents any potential confusion down the line.

A new era of personalization is coming to Discord usernames. I can‘t wait to finally customize my profile and cement my brand identity.

As a fellow gamer, I know this guide prepared you to get an awesome username before anyone else. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Game on,

[New Username]

P.S. Here are some other Discord guides to give your profile a makeover:

Adding Custom Status Messages
Using Discord on Nintendo Switch
Making Meme Profile Pictures

Let me know your new username when you get it! I‘d love to see what creative name you come up with.

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