How to change your name in Microsoft Teams: step by step

If you're looking for how to rename in Microsoft TeamsYou've come to the right place. Microsoft Teams is one of the most popular tools for collaboration and communication in business, educational, and personal settings. However, it's not always obvious how to update the name that appears when you interact with colleagues, clients, or teachers. For personal or professional reasons, you may want your display name to reflect your real identity, a nickname, your job title, or simply to correct how others see you in Teams.

With the constant changes to the Teams interface and the different options depending on the account type, it can be a bit confusing to know what steps to take. So, here's a quick guide. very complete guide where you'll find all the possible ways to change your name in Microsoft Teams, regardless of the device you use or the type of account. Plus, we'll give you extra tips to avoid any hassle and ensure your entire team knows who you are after the change.

Understanding how the display name works in Microsoft Teams

In Microsoft Teams, the display name This is the primary label others use to identify you in chats, meetings, calls, and file sharing. This name is taken from your Microsoft profile and may be different from your username (email address) or the local name of the device you're signed in to.

By default, your name comes from the microsoft account with which you sign in to Teams. You can have different names for different Microsoft services, but the one people see in Teams often depends on the settings of the account you use. This is important to know because for most changes, you'll need to access your Microsoft account settings, not just the Teams app.

Common reasons for wanting to change your name in Teams

Changing your display name in Teams isn't just for aesthetic reasons. Here are some common reasons to do so:

• Update your professional identity: If you've changed positions, companies, or simply want to better reflect your professional identity.
• Bug fixes or nicknames: Correct typos, errors, or replace an old nickname with a formal name.
• Differentiate yourself within a team: Avoid confusion when several people share a first or last name.
• Privacy and Personalization: Use aliases to maintain privacy or display only the information you choose.

Differences depending on the type of account and platform

The process for change the name in Teams This may vary depending on whether you're using free or paid Teams (business/education), and the platform (web, desktop, or mobile). For example, on free Teams, the edition is typically more flexible, while on work or school accounts managed by an organization, you may need to request the change from your administrator.

Furthermore, one must remember that change only the name in Teams It doesn't affect your username (email), and there are limitations: old files and messages will continue to display your previous name, although new ones will reflect the change. This nuance is important for those who want a complete change of identity on the platform.

How to change your name in Microsoft Teams from the web version

The simplest and most universal method for most users is through the Teams web app. These are the steps:

1. Access Microsoft Teams from your favorite browser and sign in with your Microsoft account.
2. Click your profile picture located in the upper right corner.
3. From the dropdown menu, select My Microsoft accountThis will take you to your account management page.
4. In the left sidebar, click Your information.
5. Look for the option Edit name (a pencil icon usually appears next to your name).
6. Enter the new name and surname that you want to show.
7. Save your changes and close the window. It may take a few minutes for the change to appear in Teams.

Important: If your account is managed by a company or school, you may not be able to edit the name directly. In that case, you'll need to contact your IT administrator to request a change.

Change the name from the desktop application

Most business and organizational users use the Teams desktop appThe procedure is very similar to the web version:

• Open the Teams app in Windows, Mac o Linux.
• press your profile picture in the upper right corner.
• Click on your name, then on the pencil icon to edit profile.
• Enter the new display name and click on Save.

In some cases, this step will redirect you, just like on the web, to Microsoft account management. If the edit option doesn't appear, it's likely restricted by your organization, so please consult with internal support.

How to change your name in Teams from your mobile device

If you work from a iPhone, iPad the device AndroidYou can also edit your name from the Teams mobile app, but the interface varies slightly depending on the system.

En iOS:

1. Open the Teams app.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top left-hand corner.
3. In the menu, click on your image again.
4. Play the current name and enter the new one.
5. Save changes before exiting.

On Android:

1. Open the Teams app on your mobile.
2. Click on your profile picture in the upper right corner.
3. Tap your image again and you'll see the pencil option to edit the name.
4. Enter the new name and press the check mark. Done!

Trick: If the change doesn't update immediately, try closing and restarting the app, or wait a few minutes.

How to change your name in Teams for free step by step

For users of the free version of Teams, the process is usually more straightforward. According to Microsoft's official guide, you need to:

1. Click on Settings and more next to the profile picture.
2. Select Configuration.
3. Ir a Accounts and organizations and press Manage to go to your Microsoft account page.
4. From there, edit the name and save changes.

This procedure works for both web and desktop platforms, and typically reflects changes within a few minutes.

Considerations before changing your name in Teams

Before making the change, there are certain things to keep in mind:

• Permissions: For business/educational accounts, the change may require administrator approval.
• Impact on communication: Notify your team before the change so there is no confusion.
• Update other profiles: If you use other Microsoft services (Outlook, SharePoint, etc.), change can affect everyone.
• Check after the change: Make sure the new name appears correctly in Teams and other services.
• Previous messages and files: Changing your name doesn't change previous interactions, but it does change all new ones.

Tips for choosing your new Teams name well

Changing your name may seem like a minor detail, but it has an impact on your digital and professional presence:

• Choose a name that reflects your identity and, if applicable, the professional brand image you want to convey.
• Avoid confusing combinations or inside jokes if you're communicating with clients, suppliers, or outsiders.
• If you have a very common name, add initials, numbers, or surnames to make it easier to identify.

Remember that this name will already appear in Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services if you use the same account.

What happens when you change your name in Teams?

After the change, all your new entries in chats, calls and documents will reflect the new display nameHowever, the history of previous messages, files, or activities retains the previous name, which can be useful for maintaining traceability in internal communications.

If you decide to open a new account to completely change your identity, you'll need to re-invite contacts, teams, and channels, and your previous data won't be automatically migrated.