How to Change Your Pok�mon GO Trainer Nickname and Avatar

Pok�mon GO lets you change your public Trainer nickname a limited number of times and customize your avatar's appearance whenever the relevant Style options are available. These are separate from your login name, Pok�mon Trainer Central account name, and Scopely Explore/Niantic ID.

Your Trainer nickname and avatar are visible to other players in features such as Friends, Gyms, raids, and Party Play. Avoid using a real full name, phone number, email address, or other private information.

Change your Pok�mon GO Trainer nickname

From Map View, tap the Main Menu Pok� Ball.
Tap Settings in the upper-right corner.
Open Account.
At the top of the Account page, find the current Trainer nickname and tap the pencil icon.
Read the warning about the limited number of nickname changes, then choose Yes to continue.
Enter the new nickname, check its spelling, and confirm the change.

If the name is already taken, the game may suggest available variations. You can accept a suggestion or try another name.

Why the pencil icon is missing

Pok�mon GO allows only a limited number of Trainer nickname changes. If the pencil icon does not appear, the account has used all available changes. Updating or reinstalling the app will not reset that limit.

If the current name reveals sensitive information or presents another serious issue, contact support through Settings > Help. A request is not a guarantee that another change will be granted.

Choose a useful Trainer nickname

Pick a name you will be comfortable showing to strangers.
Check capitalization and spelling before confirming.
Do not impersonate another player, creator, employee, or organization.
Avoid offensive language and content that violates the player guidelines.
Do not include a birth date, location, school, workplace, or contact details.

Because the change allowance is limited, do not use it just to test a temporary spelling.

Customize your Trainer avatar

From Map View, tap the Trainer portrait in the lower-left corner.
On the Trainer Profile, tap Style.
Select the category you want to edit, such as physical features, hair, tops, bottoms, footwear, bags, hats, glasses, or poses. Available categories can change.
Choose an option and preview it on the avatar.
Apply or save the selection before leaving the Style screen.

Some Style items are free, some are earned through gameplay or events, and others may require Pok�Coins. Check the displayed price and ownership status before confirming. A color swatch may change the current item rather than select a different product.

Name	Where it is used	How it changes
Pok�mon GO Trainer nickname	Public identity inside Pok�mon GO	Pok�mon GO Settings > Account, subject to a limited allowance
Scopely Explore/Niantic ID	Cross-game profile and related services	Managed through the profile portal under its own change rules
Login-provider name or email	Google, Apple, Facebook, or Pok�mon Trainer Central sign-in	Managed by that provider; it does not automatically rename the Trainer
Buddy nickname	The label assigned to a Buddy Pok�mon	Edited from the individual Pok�mon or Buddy screen

If a Style change does not appear

Confirm the item was applied before closing the screen.
Restart the app and check the Trainer Profile again.
Update Pok�mon GO from the official app store.
In Settings, open Advanced Settings and use Refresh Game Data if other visual assets are also missing. Recheck Adventure Sync afterward because refreshing data may disable it.

The official nickname instructions confirm the current Account-and-pencil workflow. The Trainer Profile guide identifies Style as the place to edit clothing and physical features.