You moved your Bluesky account to a custom domain but now want to return to the default bsky.social handle. The migration process changes your handle, DNS records, and how others find you. Rolling back is not a single-click undo, but it can be done in a few minutes. This article explains exactly how to revert your account to bsky.social and what happens to your posts and followers during the process.
Key Takeaways: Rolling Back to bsky.social Handle
- Settings > Account > Handle: The exact location where you change your handle back to bsky.social.
- Remove DNS TXT record: You must delete the Bluesky verification TXT record from your domain provider after rolling back.
- Handle re-verification: Bluesky may take up to 30 minutes to confirm the bsky.social handle after you save the change.
Why a Bluesky Migration Uses DNS and What a Rollback Does
When you migrate your Bluesky handle to a custom domain, Bluesky requires you to add a DNS TXT record at your domain registrar. This record proves you control the domain. After verification, Bluesky changes your handle from username.bsky.social to your custom domain, for example, yourname.com.
Rolling back means you change your handle back to username.bsky.social. Unlike the forward migration, you do not need to wait for DNS propagation. You simply change the handle in your Bluesky account settings. However, the DNS TXT record you added for the custom domain will remain on your domain unless you delete it. Leaving the record causes no harm to your Bluesky account, but it is unnecessary and could confuse future domain management.
Your posts, followers, follow list, and direct messages are all preserved during the rollback. The handle change only affects how your profile is addressed in mentions and URLs. Old posts that mention your custom domain handle will still link to your account correctly because Bluesky resolves handles at the protocol level.
Steps to Roll Back Your Handle to bsky.social
- Open Bluesky Settings
Log in to your Bluesky account using the web app or mobile app. Click your profile picture in the top-right corner and select Settings from the dropdown menu. - Navigate to Account Settings
In the Settings menu, click or tap Account. This section contains all handle-related options. - Click Change Handle
Under the current handle display, click the Change Handle button. A dialog box will appear. - Select bsky.social
In the handle change dialog, you will see two options: Use my own domain and Use bsky.social. Click Use bsky.social. - Type Your Desired bsky.social Handle
Bluesky will show a text field where you enter the handle you want. Type your original handle in the format username.bsky.social. If you want to use a different username, you can type a new one as long as it is not already taken. - Save the Change
Click the Save button. Bluesky will immediately update your handle. You may see a brief message that the change is being processed. After a few seconds, your profile will show the bsky.social handle.
Remove the DNS TXT Record From Your Domain Provider
After you roll back your handle, the DNS TXT record you created for Bluesky is no longer needed. If you leave it, it will not interfere with your Bluesky account, but it may cause confusion if you later want to use the domain for another service. Follow these steps to delete the record from your domain registrar.
- Log in to Your Domain Registrar
Go to the website where you manage your domain, such as Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, or Google Domains. Log in to your account. - Open DNS Settings
Find the DNS management page for the domain you used for Bluesky. This is often labeled DNS Settings, Advanced DNS, or Zone Editor. - Locate the Bluesky TXT Record
Look for a TXT record with a value that starts with did=did:plc:. This is the record Bluesky uses to verify domain ownership. It may also have a host value of @ or your bare domain name. - Delete the Record
Click the delete or remove button next to that TXT record. Confirm the deletion if prompted. The change takes effect immediately, though DNS caching may take up to 24 hours to clear globally.
If the Rollback Does Not Work Immediately
The bsky.social handle I want is taken
If someone else registered the handle you want on bsky.social while you were using a custom domain, you cannot use it. You must choose a different username. Type a unique handle in the handle change dialog. Bluesky will check availability before saving.
The handle change button is grayed out
Bluesky restricts handle changes to once per 14 days. If you recently changed your handle, you must wait until the cooldown period expires. The button will become active again after the 14-day window.
My profile still shows the custom domain after saving
Refresh your browser or restart the Bluesky app. If the custom domain still appears, log out and log back in. In rare cases, the change may take up to 30 minutes to propagate through Bluesky servers.
Bluesky Custom Domain vs bsky.social Handle: Key Differences
| Item | Custom Domain Handle | bsky.social Handle |
|---|---|---|
| Setup required | Add DNS TXT record at registrar | None, handled by Bluesky |
| Ownership proof | DNS verification | Bluesky servers manage it |
| Cost | You pay for domain registration | Free |
| Portability | Handle moves if you transfer domain | Handle tied to Bluesky account |
| Branding | Custom domain for professional use | Standard Bluesky handle |
Rolling back to bsky.social removes the need for DNS management and domain costs. Your account remains fully functional, and your existing followers will still see your new handle in their feeds. If you later want to use a custom domain again, you can repeat the migration process after the 14-day cooldown ends.