Yes, you can change your Minecraft username, but the process and limits depend on which version you own

You can change your Minecraft username, but the rules are different for Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. Java Edition lets you change your name once every 30 days through your Mojang account settings. Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile) uses your Microsoft account name, which you can change through Microsoft's account settings, though the change may take time to sync across devices.

The key difference is that Java Edition treats your username as something you control separately from your account, while Bedrock Edition ties your username directly to your Microsoft account identity. This means the steps you follow and how often you can change depend on which version you play.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition players can change their username once every 30 days by going to minecraft.net, signing in, and selecting "Change Name" in account settings.
  • Bedrock Edition players change their username through their Microsoft account settings, and the change syncs to all Bedrock devices linked to that account.
  • After you change your username in Java Edition, your old name becomes available for someone else to claim after 37 days.
  • Changing your username does not affect your game progress, skins, or worlds in either version.
  • If you have never changed your Java Edition username before, you get one free change; after that, you must wait 30 days between changes.

Changing your username in Java Edition

Open a web browser and go to minecraft.net. Sign in with the email address and password you use for your Java Edition account. Once you are logged in, look for your account name in the top right corner and click it to open a menu.

Click "Account" or "Profile" (the exact wording varies depending on when your account was created). Look for a section labeled "Name" or "Username" and click the button that says "Change Name" or "Change Username." Enter the new name you want, check that it is available, and confirm the change. The new name takes effect when ready in-game.

You can change your name once every 30 days. If you have never changed your name before, your first change is free; after that, you may see a cost, though Mojang periodically offers free changes. Check the page before confirming to see whether your change is free or paid.

Changing your username in Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition uses your Microsoft account as your identity, so you change your username through Microsoft's settings, not through Minecraft itself. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Bedrock game.

Click "Your info" or "Account" in the left menu. Look for a section called "Manage your Microsoft account" or "Profile." Find the option to change your display name or gamertag. Enter your new name and save the change. The new name may take a few minutes to an hour to appear in Minecraft, especially if you are playing on multiple devices.

Unlike Java Edition, Bedrock Edition does not have a 30-day waiting period between name changes. However, Microsoft may have its own rules about how often you can change your display name; check their account help page if you change your name frequently.

What happens to your old username

In Java Edition, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 37 days. This means if you change your name and then change your mind, you have a window of time to change back before someone else takes it. After 37 days, the old name is gone and you cannot reclaim it.

In Bedrock Edition, your old gamertag follows the same Microsoft account rules. If you change your display name and want to change it back, you can do so at any time through your Microsoft account settings.

Your progress, skins, and worlds stay with you

Changing your username does not delete or move your game progress. Your inventory, achievements, completed worlds, and downloaded skins all stay attached to your account. When you log back in with your new username, everything is there.

Other players may not see your old name in their chat history or on shared servers, but your actual account data—your levels, items, and builds—remains unchanged. If you play on a server or realm with friends, they will see your new name the next time you join.

If you cannot change your username

In Java Edition, if the "Change Name" button does not appear or is grayed out, you may have changed your name within the last 30 days. Wait until the 30-day window has passed and try again. If you see a cost listed and do not want to pay, check back later; Mojang sometimes offers free name changes during events or updates.

In Bedrock Edition, if your new name is not appearing in-game after an hour, try signing out of your Microsoft account in the Minecraft settings and signing back in. If the problem continues, restart the game or restart your device. On console versions like Xbox or Nintendo Switch, you may need to restart the entire system for the name change to sync.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username cost money?

In Java Edition, your first name change is free. After that, Mojang sometimes charges a small fee, though they offer free changes periodically. In Bedrock Edition, changing your Microsoft display name is free and has no limit on how often you can do it.

Will my friends still see my old name in chat?

No. Once you change your username, your new name appears in all chat messages and player lists going forward. Old messages in chat history may still show your old name if they were sent before the change, but your current identity is your new username.

Can I change my username back to my old one after 37 days?

In Java Edition, yes—if no one else has claimed your old name in the 37-day window, you can change back to it. After 37 days, the name becomes available to anyone, so if someone else takes it, you cannot reclaim it. In Bedrock Edition, you can change your name back at any time.

What if my username is taken when I try to change to it?

The system will tell you the name is unavailable and ask you to choose a different one. Try adding numbers, underscores, or a short word to make it unique. You cannot use a name that is already claimed by another player.

Do I need to update anything on my computer or console after changing my username?

No. The change happens on the server side, so you do not need to read anything or update your game. Just sign in with your account and your new username will be active. On console, restarting the system can help the change sync faster.