How to Change a Channel Name in Slack

A Slack channel name starts to feel wrong as soon as a project, team, or topic changes. Slack lets eligible people rename most channels from the channel header on desktop, web, or mobile. Start with the normal rename path, then use the permission and admin options when Slack does not show the rename control.

Rename a Slack channel on desktop or web

This fixes a channel name you manage from Slack on your computer. Open Slack in the desktop app or in a web browser, then open the channel you want to rename. Click the channel name in the conversation header.

Next to Channel name, click Edit, then enter the new channel name. Click Save Changes.

Use the Slack mobile app

Mobile uses the same channel-header flow, with the edit control inside the channel details screen. Open the Slack app, open the channel, and tap the channel name in the conversation header.

Tap Edit, tap the current channel name, enter the new name, then tap Done or Save. If this method fails, use Slack on desktop or web because the larger settings view makes channel controls easier to find.

Try the slash command

Open the channel you want to rename, then click or tap the message composer. Type /rename, add a space, then enter the new channel name. Send the message to run the command.

Select a workspace if Slack asks you to choose one for an Enterprise DM or multi-workspace channel. Use lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, or underscores, and keep the name at 80 characters or less.

Rename an archived channel

This fixes the case where Slack blocks channel-name edits because the channel is archived. Unarchive the channel first, then open the active channel.

Click or tap the channel name in the conversation header. Next to Channel name, choose Edit, then enter the new channel name. Select Save Changes, Done, or Save.

Know who can rename a channel

By default, Workspace Owners, Workspace Admins, and members with the Channel Manager role can rename channels. Workspace Owners and Workspace Admins can rename any public channel, including #general, and private channels they have joined.

Members can rename channels they manage. On Enterprise plans, members assigned the Channels Admin system role can also rename channels, and the Workspace Owner and Workspace Admin rename permission is adjustable at the org level. If you do not manage the channel and you are not a Workspace Owner, Workspace Admin, Channel Manager, or Channels Admin, Slack blocks the rename.

If this method fails, ask a Workspace Owner, Workspace Admin, or the channel manager to rename it for you.

Fix a missing rename option

The most common cause is that your Slack account does not have permission to rename that channel. Check whether your account is a Workspace Owner, Workspace Admin, Channel Manager, or the member who manages that channel.

For private channels, a Workspace Owner or Workspace Admin can rename the channel after joining it. For #general, ask a Workspace Owner or Workspace Admin to rename the channel.

Change a Slack Connect channel name

Open the Slack Connect channel, then click or tap the channel name in the conversation header. Next to Channel name, select Edit.

Enter the new channel name, then select Save Changes, Done, or Save. In Slack Connect, the new channel name applies only to the workspace where you make the change.

Use admin and Enterprise rename tools

Workspace Owners and Workspace Admins on Business+ can rename public channels from Slack’s channel management tools. Private channels appear there only when the workspace has the required private-channel access.

From desktop, click Admin in the sidebar, select Workspace settings, click Channels, search for the channel or filter by channel type, click the three dots icon next to the channel name, choose the rename option, make the change, and save it.

Enterprise organizations can rename channels from organization or workspace settings when the account has the required permission. Org Owners and Org Admins can rename multi-workspace channels, and Channel Managers can rename the multi-workspace channels they are assigned to. Workspace Owners and Workspace Admins can rename the channels they are allowed to manage, because that permission is adjustable on Enterprise plans.

If this method fails, use the normal channel-header rename path or ask the person who controls channel permissions in your Slack organization.

Ignore older Settings tab instructions

Older tutorials point to a Settings tab inside the channel menu. Use this only to recognize outdated instructions; Slack’s current rename path starts from the channel header. Open the channel, select the channel name in the conversation header, edit Channel name, and save the change.