You can change your Minecraft username once every 30 days through your Microsoft account

Your Minecraft username is the name other players see when you play online. If you want a different name, you change it through the Microsoft account that owns your game — not through the Minecraft launcher itself. The change takes effect immediately in Java Edition and within a few minutes in Bedrock Edition, though other players may see the old name briefly until their game refreshes.

You get one free name change every 30 days. If you change your name and want to change it again, you must wait 30 days from the date of your last change. There is no cost to change your name, and you do not lose your progress, inventory, or achievements.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Minecraft game, and look for the "Change your Minecraft name" option in your profile settings.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot be a name already taken by another player.
  • The name change is permanent until you change it again, and you can only change it once every 30 days.
  • If you play on console (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch), your Minecraft username is separate from your console username and changes the same way through your Microsoft account.

Step-by-step: changing your name on any device

The process is the same whether you play on Windows, Mac, Linux, or console. Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account that owns your Minecraft game — this is the account you use to launch the game, not your in-game character name.

Once you are signed in, look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner and click it. Select "View profile" or "My profile" from the menu. On your profile page, find the section labeled "Minecraft profile" or "Gaming" — the exact wording varies depending on your region, but it is always near the top of the page. Click on "Change your Minecraft name" or "Edit profile name".

Type your new username in the text box. The name must be 3 to 16 characters long and can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Spaces and special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols are not allowed. As you type, the system tells you whether the name is available. If the name is taken, try a variation — adding a number at the end or using an underscore is common.

Once you have chosen an available name, click the button to confirm the change. The system may ask you to re-enter your password for security. After you confirm, your new name is live immediately. In Java Edition, other players see the change right away. In Bedrock Edition and console versions, it may take a few minutes for the name to show up for other players, but your own game shows the new name instantly.

What to do if your name change is not working

If you sign in to account.microsoft.com but do not see the "Change your Minecraft name" option, you may be looking in the wrong place. Make sure you are on your profile page, not your account settings page. The profile page shows your username, profile picture, and gaming information. The account settings page is for passwords and security — that is not where the name change option lives.

If the option is missing entirely, your account may not be linked to Minecraft. This happens if you created a Minecraft account before Microsoft accounts were required, or if you have never launched the game on this account. To fix this, open the Minecraft launcher, sign in with the account you want to use, and launch the game at least once. Then wait a few minutes and go back to account.microsoft.com. The option should now appear.

If you see a message saying you cannot change your name yet, you have already changed it within the last 30 days. The system tells you when you can change it again. You must wait until that date to make another change.

Changing your name on Java Edition versus Bedrock Edition

Both versions use the same Microsoft account system, so the change process is identical. The only difference is how quickly other players see the change. In Java Edition, the name updates instantly across the network. In Bedrock Edition (Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile), other players may see your old name for a few minutes while their game syncs with the server.

Your progress, skins, and worlds are tied to your Microsoft account, not your username. Changing your name does not affect any of these. If you play on multiple devices with the same Microsoft account, the name change applies to all of them at once.

Names that cannot be changed and what to do

Some usernames cannot be changed because they are reserved by Minecraft or Microsoft. These are usually names of Minecraft staff, famous players, or trademarked terms. If you try to change to a reserved name, the system tells you it is unavailable and does not let you proceed. You must choose a different name.

If your current username is offensive or violates Minecraft's community standards, Microsoft may lock your account from changing it until the issue is resolved. This is rare, but if it happens, you see a message explaining why. Contact Microsoft Support through account.microsoft.com if you believe your account has been locked in error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once every 30 days?

No. You can change your Minecraft username once every 30 days. The system counts from the date of your last change, not from the calendar month. If you change your name on March 15, you cannot change it again until April 15.

Do I lose my world or inventory when I change my name?

No. Your worlds, inventory, achievements, and all progress are tied to your Microsoft account, not your username. Changing your name does not affect any of these. Other players in your world will see your new name the next time they load the world.

What if the name I want is already taken?

You must choose a different name. Try adding numbers, underscores, or slight variations of the name you want. The system shows you instantly whether a name is available as you type it. If a name is taken, no one else can use it until that player changes their name.

Can I change my Xbox or PlayStation username to match my Minecraft name?

Your Minecraft username and your console username are separate. Changing one does not change the other. If you want them to match, you must change your console username through your console's settings separately. That process is different for each platform and may have its own cooldown period.

What happens to my old username after I change it?

Your old username becomes available for another player to use after a period of time. The exact timing varies, but it is usually several months. Once another player takes the name, you cannot get it back.