One of the clearest advantages of using the Kik Messenger app as opposed to other instant chat apps is that it allows you to connect with others just by using user names and not something as private as your telephone number (yes, WhatsApp, we are looking at you). Some people may get a little bit confused between user names and display names. Although they can be the same name, if you so choose, they are not one and the same thing at all. In this article, we will talk about both display and user names and explain everything that you will need to know about them.
Even if you understand the fundamental difference between a display name and a user name, in this article we will explain things that you perhaps do not quite realize about the differences between them, including what most people want to know whether you can change them and, if so, how to do so.
What Is A Kik UserName?
The first thing that you will need to know is what a user name is and what it is used for. There are fundamental differences between a user name and a display name but the best approach in terms of clarity is to tackle them separately.
Kik usernames are the unique identifiers used to identify users on the Kik instant messaging app. They can be used by other users when sending messages or engaging in conversations on the messaging application.
So, if you have been using the Kik Messenger app for quite some time now you will most probably know that a Kik user name is what identifies you on the instant messaging app. For example, if you want a friend of yours to find you on Kik Messenger, you will have to give him or her your Kik user name. At least, traditionally, this was the only way in which Kik users could find one another. In most recent times, it is also possible as an alternative to add people to both individual and group chats by scanning their Kik Code. Not everyone knows what this is or uses it, so knowing someone’s user name is often the best way to add them to an conversation. And also user names are useful, of course, when you need to block someone who is being a nuisance.
In short, our user name is what identifies us within the Kik Messenger community. So, it is very important that the user name is something that gives out a positive idea about who we are or that does not at the very least misrepresent what we are about. This is why you should give it some thought before you come up with a user name. We know that not everyone has the time or the inclination to give their user name enough thought during the registration process. This is why it is very common for people to regret their first choice and even try to change it once they have used it for some time. If you would like to know if you could change your Kik user name, skip over the next section and go to the one after for tips on how you can go about doing this.
Your user name has to be unique so the Kik Messenger app will not let you enter a user name until you have picked one that has not already been chosen by somebody else. It is also important to note that an email address cannot be used as a Kik username; instead, you need to come up with a unique combo of letters and numbers. With millions of Kik Messenger users around the world this could be a lot more challenging that it may initially appear. There are however some tips for coming up with a good users name:
- You could pick something totally random username like a collection of different symbols (letters and numbers).
- You could choose something that relates to some very specific thing you like. If you decide to do this, make sure that you pick something as obscure as possible. If your choice has already been taken by somebody else, you could always add a combination of letter or an extra symbol somewhere (not necessarily at the end of the user name).
- Make sure that your user name is not something that could easily identify you or give out clues of your real identity to people who do not know you. Your safety should be a paramount concern.
- Also make sure that you do not pick something that could potentially embarrass you or that it could easily offend other people.
What Is A Kik Display Name?
So, now that we have covered what your user name is, it is time to explain what a Kik display name is. It is quite possible for your Kik display name to be exactly the same as your user name. This is of course totally up to you. There is nothing necessarily wrong with using the same name as user name and a display name. One thing to consider, though, is that whereas your user name needs to be unique your display name could be exactly anything you choose. There are no restrictions about this and it does not matter a smidge whether you choose something that has already been also chosen by somebody else.
Your display name is merely the name that appears on your Kik friends’ screen when they are chatting with you, and also on their contacts lists. We say “merely” but of course this is also important as people who have already added you will probably end up identifying you by your display name rather than by your user name. So it is always worth carefully considering what you use as your display name.
Many people choose their real name as their display name. Again, this is up to you but as this name is only ever displayed to people who have added you, or whom you have added, it is much safer to use your real name here than to do so as your user name.
Can You Change Your Kik User Name and Your Kik Display Name?
Username (noun)- what a person is known by online
Okay, so perhaps after reading this article you have decided to change either your user name or your display name. Perhaps, you had already made that decision and this is exactly the reason why you started reading this article in the first place.
There are many reasons why you might consider changing your Kik username or display name. As we have already hinted at what some of those reasons may be in the previous sections, let’s just focus on how to actually make those changes.
As you will see, changing your display name is a lot more straightforward than changing your user name for reasons that will become apparent shortly.
Let’s, however, begin with how to change your user name. After that, changing your display name will seem a piece of cake, as it were.
First, the bad news: short and simple, the only way or method to change your user name is to deactivate your account and start all over. We will still explain how to do this but first consider if this is something you would really like to do. As we said, changing your display name is a lot easier and does not involve anything quite as radical as that.
If you decide to still go down that route, remember to make a note of all your Kik friends, as you will have to add hem all one by one once you have created your new Kik Messenger profile. Also, copy all the conversations that you would like to keep, as they will all be deleted once you deactivate your account.
Once you have considered all that, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Kik Messenger app.
- Go to settings.
- Select your account from all the different options.
- Find the reset option and tap on it.
- Now enter the same email address that you used when you originally registered. This will then generate a deactivation email.
- Got to your inbox and locate the deactivation email. If you cannot find it, look in your junk folders.
- Once you have found the email from Kik interactive and click on the deactivation link provided. Your Kik account will be deactivated as soon as you do that.
Once your account has been deactivated, you will be able to register again with a brand new user name.
Now, if you have decided that changing your display name is quite enough, then that will be a lot easier. All you will need to do is to follow these steps:
- Open the Kik Messenger app.
- Go to settings.
- Select your account from all the different options.
- Find the “name” option and tap on it. This will show exactly what your current display name is.
- You will then be prompted to create a new display name on a different screen.
- Simply enter your new first and last names and tap on the OK icon to complete the name change.
Once you have followed those simple steps your display name will have been changed and your friends will only see your new display name on their conversations with you and on their contact lists.
In this article we wanted to explain what the main differences and similarities between a Kik user name and a display name are. We also wanted to give you some tips on how to choose your Kik names and what to if you ever decide to change them. If you have any further tips that you would like to share, please do not forget to leave a comment below.