Yes, you can change your username, but the process and cost depend on which version you own
You can change your username in Minecraft Java Edition for free once every 30 days through your Microsoft account. Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile) does not let you change your username at all — you are stuck with the one you created when you first set up your Microsoft account. If you own Java Edition, the change takes effect when ready across all servers and single-player worlds.
The confusion happens because Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are two separate games with different rules. Java Edition is what most PC players use if they bought the game before 2017 or specifically chose the Java version. Bedrock is the newer version that runs on Windows 10 and 11, consoles, and phones. If you are not sure which one you own, check your launcher — Java Edition has a brown dirt-block icon, and Bedrock has a blue Minecraft logo.
Key Takeaways
- Java Edition lets you change your username once every 30 days for free by signing into your Microsoft account and visiting the profile settings page.
- Bedrock Edition does not allow username changes at all — your username is tied to your Microsoft account and cannot be altered.
- After you change your username in Java Edition, the change is when ready and shows up on all servers and in all your worlds.
- If you own Bedrock and want a different name, your only option is to create a new Microsoft account and start over.
How to change your username in Java Edition
Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Java Edition copy. Click on your profile picture or name in the top right, then select View profile. On the left side, click Edit profile. You will see a field labeled Minecraft Java Edition profile name — this is your in-game username. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.
Type your new username and click Save. The system will tell you if the name is already taken. If it is, try a different one. Once you save, the change takes effect when ready. You can change it again after 30 days have passed from the date you made this change. The timer resets each time you change your name, so if you change it on January 15, you cannot change it again until February 14.
Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it. If you want to keep that name reserved, do not change to a new one. There is no way to reclaim an old username once you have switched away from it.
Why Bedrock Edition does not let you change your username
Bedrock Edition ties your username directly to your Microsoft account. Unlike Java Edition, which has a separate profile name system, Bedrock uses your Microsoft account name as your in-game identity. Microsoft does not allow you to change the name on your account just to change your Minecraft username, because your account name is used across all Microsoft services — email, OneDrive, Xbox, and others.
If you want a different name in Bedrock, you have to create a new Microsoft account, buy Bedrock Edition again on that account, and start your worlds from scratch. This is why many players who regret their Bedrock username choose to stick with it rather than restart.
What happens to your worlds and servers after you change your name
In Java Edition, your single-player worlds stay with you and show your new username. Multiplayer servers also update to show your new name in the chat and player list. If you had a skin (the character appearance) set to your old username, it will still be there — skins are tied to your account, not your username.
On servers that use whitelists (a list of allowed players), the server owner may need to update the whitelist with your new username. If you cannot join a server you could join before, contact the owner and ask them to add your new username to their whitelist. Some servers update automatically, but many do not.
How to check which version of Minecraft you own
The easiest way to tell is by looking at your launcher. If you see a brown dirt-block icon and the launcher says Minecraft Launcher, you own Java Edition. If you see a blue Minecraft logo and the launcher says Minecraft for Windows, you own Bedrock Edition.
Another way to check is by looking at where you bought it. If you bought it from minecraft.net before 2017, or if you specifically chose the Java Edition option when buying, you own Java Edition. If you bought it from the Microsoft Store or Xbox Game Pass, or if you play on console or mobile, you own Bedrock Edition. Some players own both versions, which means you can change your username in Java but not in Bedrock.
What to do if you regret your username change
In Java Edition, you have to wait 30 days before you can change your username again. If you changed to a name you do not like, you will need to wait the full 30 days to switch to something else. There is no way to speed up this process or get an exception.
If someone else claimed your old username while you were waiting, you cannot get it back. The only way to have that name again is if the person who claimed it stops playing and lets it expire, which can take years. Plan your username changes carefully, because the 30-day rule means mistakes are expensive in terms of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?
No. Java Edition enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes. The timer starts from the date you made your last change, not from a calendar month. If you change your name on the 15th, you must wait until the 15th of the next month to change it again.
What if someone takes my old username while I am waiting to change it back?
Once you change your username, your old name goes back into the pool of available names. Anyone can claim it. If you think you might want it back, do not change your username. There is no way to reserve or reclaim an old username after you have left it.
Do I lose my skins or capes when I change my username?
No. Skins and capes are tied to your account, not your username. They will appear on your character with your new name. If you had a custom skin set, it stays with you.
If I change my Java username, do my friends still see me on their friends list?
Yes. Your friends list is tied to your account, not your username. Your friends will see your new username in their list and in-game, but you will still be the same person to them.
Can I change my username in Bedrock by creating a new profile on my console?
No. Each profile on your console is tied to a Microsoft account. If you create a new profile, you are creating a new Microsoft account, which means buying Bedrock again and starting over. You cannot change the username on an existing Bedrock account.