You just created a Reddit account. Now you want to change something—your email, your password, maybe even your username.
Then you hit a wall. The settings page looks bare. Some things are grayed out. Others don’t exist. You start clicking around, getting nowhere.
This isn’t your fault. Reddit’s account settings are messy for beginners. Some changes are one-click easy. Others are impossible no matter what you try.
Here’s exactly what you can change, what you can’t, and how to do it without wasting time.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Getting your account settings right prevents three common problems:
- Locked out because you used a typo in your email
- Suspicious activity alerts from an old password that got leaked
- Frustration from trying to do something Reddit simply doesn’t allow
Most beginners spend 20+ minutes searching for “how to change username” before realizing it’s not possible. Don’t be that person.
The 5-Step Checklist to Change What You Actually Can
Step 1: Change Your Email (This One Actually Works)
Go to User Settings → Profile → scroll to Email.
You’ll see your current email address. Click the Change button next to it. Reddit sends a verification to your new email. Click the link, and you’re done.
Pro tip: Use an email you actually check. Don’t use a temporary one. If you ever need to reset your password, Reddit sends the link here.
Step 2: Change Your Password (Also Works)
Same page. Look for Password under the Safety & Privacy tab.
Enter your current password first, then your new one twice. Reddit requires at least 8 characters. Click Save.
Don’t do this: Using the same password you use for your email or bank account. If Reddit gets breached, your other accounts are at risk.
Step 3: Change Your Display Name (Yes, This Is Different from Username)
Reddit lets you set a display name that appears on your profile page. Your username stays the same.
Go to User Settings → Profile → Display name (optional) . Type whatever you want. This doesn’t affect your login or how people tag you.
Step 4: Change Your Avatar, Banner, and Bio (All Editable)
These are cosmetic but useful.
- Avatar: Click your profile picture → Edit avatar → pick from Reddit’s options or upload a custom one
- Banner: Profile tab → Banner image → upload a horizontal image
- Bio: Profile tab → About section → write up to 500 characters
Real example: One user changed their bio to include their new hobby and started getting DMs from people in the same niche. Small change, big result.
Step 5: Change Your Profile Visibility (NSFW or Not)
If you post in adult-oriented subreddits, your profile gets marked NSFW automatically. You can override this in User Settings → Profile → Mark as mature.
Be careful: If you toggle this off while having NSFW posts, Reddit may override it back.
Common Mistakes That Waste Your Time
Mistake 1: Trying to change your username
Reddit does not let you change your username. Period. No workaround exists. If you absolutely need a new username, create a new account.
Mistake 2: Thinking display name = username
Your display name shows on your profile, but your username stays the same for login and tags. Don’t confuse the two.
Mistake 3: Changing email without verifying
If you type the wrong email or skip verification, you’re stuck. Reddit won’t send future password resets to the old email.
A Realistic Scenario: From Stuck Account to Fully Updated
Maria created her Reddit account three years ago with a throwaway email she can’t access. She wants to:
- Update her email to her current Gmail
- Change her password (she uses the same one from 2021)
- Add a profile picture
Here’s what she does:
- Goes to User Settings → Profile → Email and clicks Change
- Enters her current Gmail, clicks the verification link
- Goes to Safety & Privacy → Password and updates it to a new unique one
- Goes to Profile → clicks her avatar circle → Edit avatar and picks a simple icon
Total time: 8 minutes. She can now log in without remembering an old email.
