How to create new screen names on AOL (America Online)?

I need to create a new screen name in AOL but am not sure how to do so. Can you help me out?

Dave's Answer:

First off, let me say that I don't help kids try to circumvent protections that their parents have put in place: if you're a minor and want to foil the protections your folks have created, then you'd be much, much better off just talking with them and asking for permission. There's a reason that they're watching out for you...

Having said that, let's go through the process of creating a new screen name on AOL, because if you have a parental controls screen name, you won't be able to do this anyway, and if you don't, well, then you're legit.

Log in to America Online (AOL) as usual, then choose Account Settings --> Screen Name. (I'm using a Mac for these examples, but the Windows version is almost exactly the same. On the Mac, the Account Settings option is found on the "AOL" menu).

Now you'll see something like this:

Click on the "CREATE a screen name" and you'll promptly be asked if you're creating an account for a child or not:

I'll choose "NO" here, and then get this:

As you can see, you can take one of their suggested screen names, based on pulling bits out of your profile, or you can enter one of your own. If you enter one, be warned that there are a lot of AOL users, so it's not easy to find a screen name that hasn't already been taken!

From this point, the process is pretty self-explanatory, so I won't step through any further. This should get you started in the right direction, though, and good luck to you!

Additional helpful AOL tutorials:

• Get rid of AOL popup ads!
• How to delete an AOL screen name
• How to change your AOL account password
• How to cancel your AOL account

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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics (Article 4063, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: america online, aol
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Reader Comments To Date: 449

Erin said, on April 12, 2007 8:07 PM:

i downloaded Aim pro onto my computer but it wouldnt let me make a screen name.

helen said, on April 13, 2007 7:22 PM:

im havin problems tryin to creat a new screen name too ne 1 know how to get into account info

khrist3 said, on April 17, 2007 1:35 AM:

i want a screen name and password in aol

JON KENNEDY said, on April 20, 2007 6:11 PM:

NEED TO CREATE A NEW SCREEN NAME, DONT REMEMBER HOW TO DO THIS.

Renuka said, on April 22, 2007 4:10 PM:

Hi I am clicking on to Settings but its says not available try again later! This has been happending for the past 4 days. I need to make screen names. Please advise as soon as possible Thanks

Renuka

Rosendo Hernandez said, on April 22, 2007 9:46 PM:

I need help on how to make a new screen name

victorya said, on April 23, 2007 2:06 PM:

need to create a new name for someone else how do i do this

Kayla said, on April 23, 2007 11:45 PM:

I want a new screen NAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I need a new screen name,I want a cute one.

candi said, on April 24, 2007 9:21 PM:

i'm trying to delete a screen name off my account and when I type Names into keyword.A screen pops up with my master screen name on it.I know that the list of all the screen names should pop up but it doesn't.I've call aol and they tell me to do what i've already tried.i'm very confused.can you please help if you can.thanks

tricia said, on April 25, 2007 4:12 AM:

i wnt a new screen name but i dnt no how 2 make 1 help plz

tricia said, on April 25, 2007 4:14 AM:

i wnt a new screen name but i dnt no how 2 make 1 help plz

marissa said, on April 26, 2007 1:29 PM:

can u change ur screen name to a different name w/o starting another account or whtever it is?

george said, on April 27, 2007 9:05 AM:

can not access add and delete screen names must have deleted from my comp. npw what

tamaura said, on April 27, 2007 5:09 PM:

how do i create a account so i could play games on games.com

gail said, on April 30, 2007 12:36 AM:

Iam trying to create a screen name on my brothers account.it will not let me type my name in the box.what do I do ?

Yvonne said, on April 30, 2007 10:10 PM:

Dave...ever since aol went FREE, it's been impossible to get the settings page to delete or add screen names! I have been trying for months! "Navigation" constantly cancels it out. It won't load. So you cannot do anything with screen names. Whatever you have or don't have, you are stuck with. Ever since aol went free, their service has become terrible. I was one of those lucky ones paying only $7 a month for AOL and I sure wish I just stayed with THAT! Any idea WHY they won't let you change/delete screen names anymore? You cannot contact a tech if you have a free account. Besides, they tell you how to delete a screen name but no solution for the fact that you can't get the settings page up! Benn there, done that with trying to change password before it went free. Any help would be appreciated. Yvonne

ED FINNIMORE said, on May 5, 2007 12:11 AM:

PLEASE ADD MY OLD SCREEN NAME MR GOODWRENCH

amanda said, on May 5, 2007 1:46 PM:

hey dave,
we recently set up a home netowrk. in only includes one desktop and one laptop. since the laptop came with free aol for 6 months, i already had an account set up on it. however, i canceled it a few months ago. the desktop has its own account. i wanted to know if there was a way that i did not have to sign on as a guest on the laptop when i was using my screen name from the desktop. thanks!

Mike said, on May 7, 2007 1:27 AM:

Yes, every time i try to make a new screen name a thing comes up and says i need to pay 1$ to make a new one ... to insure that im over 18 but i dont have a credit card and dont know how to do it any other way....help please?

Guy said, on May 7, 2007 11:15 AM:

The master Screen on this puter needs to be deleted because she is moving, everything was changed into my name with Verizon and Free Aol, how do I make my screen as the Primary Master Screen.

Dave Taylor said, on May 7, 2007 7:52 PM:

Many of the questions I see on this thread are topics that can only be addressed by calling AOL tech support, actually, including Guy's question about switching which screen name is considered the master name. Please call up AOL for this sort of issue!

Also, if you find that you can't add a new screen name it might well be because you have a *free* account rather than a paid account. When AOL switched to offering free accounts, they disabled much of the multi-screenname capability of the original accounts as, I presume, a penalty for you not helping them pay for their fancy offices in Virginia. :-)

Tony Rago said, on May 11, 2007 9:34 PM:

Actually,
I was able to access the add/remove screen names this past week.
I have free AOL using my own dsl.
I was charged 1.00 which I think they stated I would not be actually paying 1.00.
this was to be able to check credit card info to verify my age.
Could not access this area before.
I added a screen name to see if it would work and it did.
I was able to remove a screen name also if I chose to.

Douglas Eddington said, on May 15, 2007 2:08 PM:

I want to create a new screen name, but the boxes way above don't work. I want the new screen name for when I visit the Gay and Lesbian boards. It's one I used in 1993.

Sincerely yours,

Douglas Eddington.--
Dougger33@aol.com

P.S. U want to keep my above screen name as my main name.

Woody Woodard said, on May 17, 2007 1:02 PM:

Why does my new (2nd) screen name)(doowvn) not show on my sign on pop up screen?

sexyprieta said, on June 29, 2007 2:01 PM:

i want my daughter to have a screen name

EDWARD QUICK said, on July 10, 2007 3:47 PM:

I LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO ADD MORE THAN ONE SCREEN THANKS ED

Petra said, on July 11, 2007 10:37 AM:

Hi, if anybody has the time..quick question. I downloaded the aol optimized version from a disc and older one with some games I wanted on it..anyway..it didn't bring up my current buddy list or address book from my aol optimized aol that I had on my old computer..any ideas? Also..when istalling aol the new computer had no internet..and I clicked "install the version as another version.."...Thanks!

Ramona Guerrero said, on July 20, 2007 4:23 PM:

Hi Dave,
I am a guest on a friends aol account but recently got road runner and received aol free. My question is how do I set up my own aol account. As long as I am a guest I cannot add new users. Please help. I've tried for an hour looking on the web and came across your site.

alifiya said, on July 24, 2007 8:38 AM:

Hi i want to get a screnname plese help me?

chantasia said, on July 27, 2007 6:54 PM:

hi i made a screen name now i would like to know how do i sign on aol to get on the internet.......im tring to say i have a screen name but everytime i sign on it say wrog password or somethin but its not wrong cause when i get on from my phone it works

jaws said, on August 4, 2007 4:31 PM:

yo i dont know how to creat a new screen name how do u do it???????????

Rebecca said, on August 9, 2007 5:00 PM:

ok i already have a aol screename, but i was wondering if i can change just the sreenname to something diffrent then what i have now? please help me out with this i been wanting to change it for a long time now. thanks a bunch! :D

kourtney said, on August 9, 2007 6:06 PM:

hey!!!!! how do i create a screen nAME FOR AIM PRO? I need TO KNOw!!!!!!!!!

Carmela said, on August 15, 2007 11:34 AM:

please help......getting divorced...just moved out. The aol account is all mine but the X wants to keep his screen name. Is there anyway I can delete it from my account yet still allow him to access his screen name for free on the aol.com site???

Dave Taylor said, on August 15, 2007 2:01 PM:

Probably not, but you can call AOL tech support and ask them. Remember, though, that if you change your password, they really do act as independent accounts (except you can't both be logged in at the same time). In fact, if the logged in at the same time problem arises, try using the http://www.aol.com/ web-based interface: I believe that sidesteps the issue entirely. Good luck!

Marlisa said, on August 19, 2007 3:39 PM:

I keep trying to add a screen name but it keeps asking me for a credit card to make sure I am 18, but I don't have a credit card. How do I bypass this. I tried to call aol but because I use it for free, they basically tell me that I can't get Tech support from them. What do I do?

Jay said, on August 24, 2007 12:44 PM:

im making a new screenname on AIM, and i want to put my old buddylist on it. But i dont want to type in every single one of my friends. I know that there is a way of doing this but i just dont remember how. Can u help me?? Thanks

Dillon said, on September 15, 2007 8:39 AM:

Can you tell me how many characters are in my daughters screenname?

alan said, on September 25, 2007 8:06 PM:

how do i change my screename on yahoo im

anthony dickey said, on October 2, 2007 12:32 AM:

no comment

MARIA said, on October 4, 2007 4:04 AM:

MY DAUGHTER NEEDS A SCREEN NAME AND PASSWWORD

dqle key said, on October 6, 2007 1:03 PM:

I WANT TO CHANGE MY PASSWORD BECAUSE TWO OTHER PEOPLE GET ON MY COMPUTER AND I CAN NOT GET ON LINE UNLESS I SHUT THE CUMPUTER DOWN ILLEAGALY
MY DAUGHTER IN COLORADO WHO'S ADDRESS IS Consha54@hotmail.coM IS THE ONLY PERSON I WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE IT. I WANT TO CHANGE IT AND I DO NOT KNOW HOW SO I WANT AOL TO DO IT FOR ME.

Kathy Ganas said, on October 8, 2007 6:57 PM:

I have tried your instructions for adding a screen name over and over, and it just doesn't work. First, you say "Logon to AOL as usual and select Account Settings." That seems to be the problem. I have a Settings on the menu bar, but I can't find an Account Settings. When I click Settings, I get a help screen, which is just as helpful as the Windows help screens, virtually useless. I am running AOL 9.0, which seems to be the current version. Can you help me?

skull dude said, on October 9, 2007 10:37 AM:

i need a msn accant and a aol 1 so plzz help me do plzzz

ANGELA said, on October 12, 2007 9:05 AM:

I READ YOUR IMFORMATION ABOUT SCREEN NAMES BUT I CANT FIND THE THING THAT SAYS ACCOUNT SETTINGS SO I CAN MAKE A EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ME AND ONE FOR MY DAUGHTER CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT ELSE I SHOULD LOOK FOR OR WHERE IT IS AT? THANK YOU IM ON AOL 9.0

Blake said, on October 13, 2007 1:52 PM:

i am having major probs, my old screenname is lame and i would like 2 get a new one, but still keep the one i have now, what im trying 2 say is that i just want 2 find out what website i can get my screenname at!!!!!!!!plz someone help me!!!!

jennifer said, on October 17, 2007 2:54 PM:

hello my daughter would like to make a new screen name how would she do that

maria a. said, on October 18, 2007 9:23 AM:

i have my neighbor she need a screen name and a password,what i can do for her,but you maybe tell me what i have to do to get her a screen name?

CAROLYN said, on October 21, 2007 5:04 PM:

I CAN NOT GET THE SCREEN NAME SITE TO LET ME ADD A SCREEN NAME AND I KNOW THAT I CAN HAVE AS MAENY AS 7 . EVERY TIM E THAT I TRY TO GO TO SCREEN NAMES IT SENDS ME HERE TO YOU . PLEASE TELL ME WANT TO DO OR SOMETHING

stephanie priest said, on November 27, 2007 12:23 AM:

I cannot open the box to change or add or delete any names.

Chris said, on November 27, 2007 4:47 PM:

I have an AIM screen name and i was wonderinf if there is anyway i can add it to my AOL account

Garvin said, on December 3, 2007 8:02 AM:

Question for you. Is there a way to see the other screen names that someone has on their account if you only know one of their existing screen names?

kayla said, on December 8, 2007 2:56 PM:

hey dave wat is soulja boys real name?

cecelia yonick said, on December 26, 2007 3:23 AM:

DAVE, AOL WAS REMOVED FROM MY COMPUTER. NOW I CAN'T GET INTO MY EMAIL. IT ASKS FOR MY PASSWORD, WHICH I HAD FORGOTTEN YEARS AGO. WHEN I REQUESTED AOL FOR MY PASSWORD, IT SENT IT INTO MY EMAIL A/C, WHICH I CAN'T GET INTO BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THE PASSWORD. CATCH 22. HELP! CECELIA

Wanda said, on January 16, 2008 8:01 AM:

I want another screen name added to my names.

eileen said, on January 25, 2008 11:55 AM:

"account settings" not found.
settings gets me to magnet or something akin to that. how to get to account settings?

Jody said, on January 28, 2008 8:31 PM:

I opened this account and would like to create a secondary screen name for my husband, but when we go to screen names it just takes us to a My AOL page. Whenever you sign in it just goes back to the same page over and over again. I was able to change my password on my screen name, but could not create a new one for him. I have been trying to figure this out for two weeks now, please help us.

lora said, on January 31, 2008 4:51 PM:

i wanna use a different screen name besides my account name how do i do this when i go to settings it only shows we have these 3 new offers for aol users and none of them pertain to what i need help please asp

Megan said, on February 6, 2008 4:10 PM:

evrytime i click on get a new screen name its parental controls...and i dont know how my parents can let me get a new screen name... and I NEED SOME IDEAS FOR A SCREEN NAME...i was thinging about xomegoxx3 TELL ME IF YOU LIKE IT ON MY OLD SN...Geml896

Onnie Guthrie said, on February 16, 2008 12:09 PM:

I am like every one else. I cant add a screen name to my account. please advise me how i can add another screen name or 2. rangerr201

Julia said, on February 20, 2008 3:44 AM:

My new screen name will not show up on my home computer, yet I created it on my work computer. How do I get it to show up here? Thanks!

Mike said, on February 21, 2008 7:16 PM:

hi

Ashley said, on February 22, 2008 12:57 PM:

I have aol 9.0. For some reason i am not able to create any new screen names. I keep getting a screen that offers me stuff that i dont want. Then off to the side it tells me to enter my screen name and password.Once I do that the same screen pops up again and again. What do I do?

Duncan Heidler said, on February 22, 2008 1:38 PM:

I want to change my screenname without losing my buddies

betsy said, on February 22, 2008 5:35 PM:

i'm trying to get an aol account for my freind but i cant get one.HELP!

Betsy Weasrgfc said, on February 22, 2008 5:46 PM:

i need help keeping my screen name but making a new one.

angela said, on February 24, 2008 9:26 PM:

dave ive tried all of the ways to add screan names parental control even change my pass word but i still cant as if some one is trying to hold me in limbo please help me i have called aol more then 5 times all they say is that its nothing to do with my computor that its them and many peopl are being effected i reply by saying i cant allow my daughter use the computerbecause of parental control they said they reported it all 5 to 6 times i called its as if they want me to try to buy something for some one can steal my credit card number please help

CHIC said, on February 26, 2008 3:59 PM:

I NO LONGER HAVE A COMPUTER AT HOME, BUT STILL HAVE AOL SERVICE SO I CAN GET MY E-MAILS. I GO TO THE LOCAL LIBRARY TO GET THEM AND NOW I NEED TO SET-UP A NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THIS..PLEASE HELP!!!!

Meyer Mazon said, on April 6, 2008 12:50 PM:

I want to add a screen name & password for my wife.I can't do this because this program doesn't let me. Please send me Info telling me what to do. Thank you.

rosalba jaime said, on April 10, 2008 2:52 PM:

well thanks for helpin me

Christine said, on April 21, 2008 2:46 PM:

Hi,
I have a mac and I created a screen name on this and one I have had for years now. But now I cannot seem to create a new one why? The report I get is that I cannot create a screen name on my mac OS X Version 10.3.9 I have AOL for MAC OS X Version 10.2.1.
How can I create new screen names?
Thank you for helping

Christine UK

Christine said, on April 21, 2008 2:49 PM:

PS I do not have account settings in my tool bar, or anywhere for me to access to create one. The note I get is that ist is not possible on a mac!
Thanks

Christine.

Please help.

blueangel57 said, on April 27, 2008 8:55 PM:

can't get into aol messenger

erick said, on May 26, 2008 5:00 PM:

it keeps saying to put the billing information then i do and it goes back to the main page and it repeats this process

susan said, on May 27, 2008 7:51 AM:

on aol, can two people be on line at the same time until one screen name.....i.e. primary...virtualart, and then another screen name listed under that primary.

neil london said, on June 9, 2008 9:34 AM:

when I sign in -not an aol member- but to my aol mail -all screen names appear-I do not want to see them or anyone else--just want to sign on one at a tome--but they have same first initial and all pop up at once when I press 1st initial --how do I stop this from happening in at sign up screen please?

Janette said, on June 11, 2008 12:02 PM:

I have the newest version of AIM, and I am trying to create a New Screen name for my younger sibling, but on every computer i have tried it on [Mac and Windows] It gives me an error and brings me back to the main screen. I cannot ask for help from AOL live because I am not a paid member. What should I do?

Marjorie Campbell said, on June 18, 2008 8:47 AM:

I have been trying to add a new screen name to my aol but it carries me to a different page saying an error has accured. Please tell me how to add a screen name. I have followed all the procedures.

Nena said, on June 21, 2008 7:33 AM:

I cannot get to AOL account settings. I only
have free email and I can not log on to AOL.
I really need to change my email address. Is there
an answer? Nena I am not very computer literate.

dan wheeler said, on June 25, 2008 2:36 PM:

when i try to create a new s/n it doesnt alow me to go to the settings selection why is this?

Michael said, on July 12, 2008 5:05 AM:

I need a new screen name a.s.a.p. please.. I have to stop these horrible people in a chat room from attacking me everytime I go in there. personal

john wells said, on July 12, 2008 3:05 PM:

WHEN I OPEN UP AOL I NEVER SEE "ACCOUNT SETTING" THEN "SCREEN NAMES" LIKE "DAVE" SHOWS AND I,VE LOOKED EVERYWHERE. NO AOL "SCREEN NAME" ON THE TOOL BAR.

HELP!!!!!!!

Alyssa said, on July 29, 2008 8:15 PM:

You need to go to aol.com and the click make a screen name

Berwyn Steele Sr. said, on August 9, 2008 4:07 PM:

I get so tired of getting the run around on AOL that I think I will try MSN.Com as I am so tired of trying to change my screen name and I only get a bunch of dung and have to fight to find what I want to do for three hours and then its a hard time I get after I find what I want. AOL sucks. I lost my main e-address and because I messed up on my pass word and now the damn people running AOL are playing games with me and I am tired of it. I can't even get online to check my mail. Stainless41mw@aol.com BG Steele.

robert a fisher said, on August 18, 2008 7:59 PM:

my wife wants to add her screen name on my acct.
she wants to add robinthebird74@aol.com
i dont know how to do it plse tell me how to do it
thank you
rafisher
woodpeck74@aol.com

bailey said, on August 19, 2008 12:15 PM:

i whant a my space but i do not have a screen name

krista said, on August 27, 2008 6:11 PM:

i have an existing aol account for work and now i got a home computer i have all the work screen names from my exiting account but i want to add my husband existing alo screen name to the sign on screen with all my other names is that possable?

kellie said, on September 6, 2008 11:14 AM:

hey i have aol, but i use my moms screen name how do i create a new screen name?

brady said, on September 8, 2008 4:30 PM:

where do i find on aol.create a screen name?

Ben Conti said, on September 12, 2008 7:13 AM:

How do I create a new screen name in AOL

I Cannot find it

Jean said, on September 18, 2008 12:52 PM:

I have a dial up aol account at home. At work I have high speed service and set up a free aol
e-mail account. I cannot remember the password or the answer to the question for the free accout, so I can not acess my business e-mail. How can I get my mail without having to change the screen name for my company?

Robertito said, on October 3, 2008 5:19 PM:

I have a new account with aol and even with all explanation that you giave me I COULD NOT create a new screen name. If I can not I do not need any more AOL and I will find another provider...!...

Carole said, on October 5, 2008 9:46 AM:

What kind of a password can I create for AOL games? How many characters, uppercase, lowercase and numbers - what is acceptable and what is not?? I was able to enter my screen name but when I put in a password, it came back unacceptable. and was asking me to create a better one, with no success either. Please help!

miranda said, on October 18, 2008 5:45 AM:

i have a screen name already on another computer, but i am trying to add the same screen name on this computer as well. can you please tell me how to do that?

dave said, on October 19, 2008 7:19 PM:

dave how do u make a aol screen name

robin2834 said, on October 26, 2008 10:53 PM:

i would like to add my old screen name on this account my mom pays for the account each month

Kate said, on November 16, 2008 12:38 PM:

i want to set up another screenname but when i go to settings and click on screen name the box doesnt come up to add another screenname

what do i do please advise

Kate

GUNTER VON NOORDEN said, on November 19, 2008 4:16 PM:

David,

I am trying in vain to add a screen name to my AOL.Following the sequence AOL-ACCOUNT SETTINGS-SCREEN NAME I do not get the nice webpage you show but the inane message:"Oops, we can't find the webpage you are looking for." Please help me when you can. I am using AOL for MAC OSX.

By the way, I am not a kid circumventing paternal protection but an octagtenarian.

Gunter

Dawn/Bruce said, on November 27, 2008 1:13 AM:

Dave My husband is looking for work and i would like to add him to my account we have tried everything to do this and can't seem to get it could you plaese walk you through it step by step. going crazy

safi said, on December 8, 2008 3:41 AM:

hi
i need some information can u help.

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

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I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How to create new screen names on AOL (America Online)?

Reader Comments To Date: 449

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