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How to change your name in Skype
Skype is one of the best video call and chat apps, providing an easy way to stay in touch with people. You can also use it to make phone calls. Want to change your display name to a nickname when talking with friends and family, or change it back to suit a professional work call? Here’s how to change your Skype display name.
QUICK ANSWER
To change your Skype display name, click on your profile icon at the top left corner and go to your Skype profile. Click on the pen icon next to your name at the top, enter a new display name, and click on the tick mark to confirm the selection. The display name is what others will see when you are on a call. Unfortunately, you cannot change your Skype ID, a unique identifier generated for your account when you create it.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
How to change your Skype display name on the desktop app
To change your display name on the desktop app, click on your profile icon at the top left corner. If you have one set, this could be your profile picture or your initials. Go to Skype profile.
Click on the pen icon next to your name at the top of your profile page.
Type in your updated display name and click the tick mark to confirm your selection.
How to change your display name on the Skype mobile app
Tap on your profile icon after opening the app. This could be a profile picture if you have one set or your initials. Go to your Skype profile and tap the pen icon beside your name. Enter a new display name and tap the tick mark to confirm the change.
How to change your Skype ID
When you go to your Skype profile, you will see a section called Skype name with live.cid:(a string of numbers and letters). The Skype name, or Skype ID, differs from your display name. It’s a unique identifier that Skype generates for you when you create an account.
Unfortunately, you cannot change your Skype ID. The only way to get a new Skype name or ID is to create a new account and close your old one. Note that other Skype users can only add you to their contacts and message you if they have your Skype name/ID.
FAQs
You may not be able to change your Skype name because it is linked to your Microsoft account. However, you can still change your display name by following the steps in this guide.
To change your Skype ID, you would need to create a new account with a different email address.
Yes, if you are using a Microsoft account with a Live ID as your Skype name, you can change it by updating your Microsoft account information.
Your Skype ID is the unique username that you use to sign in to your Skype account and remains the same. The display name, on the other hand, is the name that appears on your Skype profile, which you can modify.