Steam is one of the largest digital game distribution platforms, with over 120 million active users. Many Steam users created their accounts when they were young, often picking usernames they now find embarrassing or irrelevant.
The good news is – you can easily change your public-facing Steam username. However, your login username that you use to sign into your Steam account cannot be altered. This article explains the difference and walks through how to legally modify your public Steam profile name.
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Steam Account Username vs Profile Name
Steam uses several identifiers to recognize users:
- SteamID – A unique 17-digit number assigned when you create your Steam account. This can never be changed.
- Account Name / Login Username – The name you use along with your password to sign into your Steam account. Unfortunately, this also cannot be modified.
- Profile Name / Persona Name – The public username displayed on your profile page and when playing games online. You can freely change this as often as you like.
So while you’re permanently stuck with your login credentials, you have full control over your profile name that other users see.
Why Change Your Public Username?
There are a few common reasons Steam members opt to alter their public profile name:
- The original name they chose years ago is now embarrassing or irrelevant. This happens often with accounts created during childhood.
- They want their profile name to match their gamertag on other platforms like Xbox Live for consistency.
- To make their name more unique for streaming purposes.
- To reflect a change in interests or online persona over time.
Regardless of your motivation, adjusting your profile name is quick and straightforward.
Step-by-Step Guide To Changing Steam Profile Name
Follow these simple steps to change your public-facing Steam username:
- Launch the Steam client and click on your current profile name in the top-right corner
- Select “View my profile”
- Click the “Edit profile” button
- Under the “Profile name” field, type your new preferred username
- Scroll down and click “Save changes”
That’s all there is to it! Your profile page and any place that previously displayed your old username will now show the new name.
Changing Steam Profile Name on Mobile
You can also quickly change your Steam username directly from the mobile app:
- Tap on your profile picture
- Choose “View profile”
- Tap “Edit profile”
- Under “Profile name”, replace your existing name with the new one
- Click “Save” when finished
Important Notes
Here are some key points to remember when altering your Steam profile username:
- You can change your profile name as often as you like without restrictions
- Your login account name used at sign-in will always stay the same
- Custom URLs with your name in them will automatically update
- Old usernames are not fully removed and can still be seen in search histories
And that’s all there is to it! Adjusting your public Steam profile name is fast and easy. So feel free to update it regularly if you choose. Just remember that your behind-the-scenes login credentials will forever stay the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about changing your Steam username:
Can I change my actual Steam account username?
Unfortunately no. Your login account name can never be altered. But your public-facing profile name can be changed as often as you like.
Do I need to show ID or proof of identity to change my profile name?
Nope! You can modify your profile name at any time without ID verification or contacting Steam support.
What happens to my previous Steam usernames?
Old profile names are not completely erased. They remain visible in search histories and caches. But your current name will display across Steam going forward.
Can someone else take my old Steam username after I change it?
Yes, there is a chance someone can register an old username you previously used if it becomes available. Unique names are limited, so claim your preferred name early!
I hope this guide was helpful in explaining the difference between Steam’s various identifiers and walking through exactly how to modify your public profile name. Although your core account credentials remain locked in, you have total freedom to display any persona you like to the Steam community.
