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

If you play Minecraft Java Edition and own the account, you can change your username for free once every 30 days through your Mojang account settings. If you play Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile), your username is tied to your Microsoft account, and you change it the same way you would change any Microsoft account name. The catch: Java Edition lets you pick any available name, while Bedrock Edition shows your Microsoft account name to other players, and changing it affects all your Microsoft services.

If you do not own the account — if someone else created it or it was gifted to you — you cannot change the username yourself. The account owner has to do it, or you need to create a new account.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition players can change their username once every 30 days by logging into minecraft.net, going to account settings, and entering a new name.
  • Bedrock Edition players change their username through Microsoft account settings, and the change affects all Microsoft services, not just Minecraft.
  • You must own the account to change the username yourself; if someone else created it, they have to make the change.
  • Changing your username does not affect your game progress, worlds, or items — only the name other players see.
  • If your desired username is taken, you will need to pick a different one; there is no way to reserve or claim a name you cannot currently use.

How to change your Java Edition username

Go to minecraft.net and sign in with your Mojang account email and password. Click your name in the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu. On the Account page, look for the "Change Username" button — it is usually in the left sidebar under "Profile Information." Click it, type your new username in the box, and click "Change Username" again to confirm.

Your new name takes effect when ready in the game. The next time you launch Minecraft Java Edition and log in, you will see the new name in your profile and other players will see it in multiplayer servers and in the player list. You cannot change it again for 30 days from the date you made the change.

If the username you want is already taken, the system will tell you and ask you to pick a different one. There is no waiting list or way to reserve a name — you have to choose something else that is available right now.

How to change your Bedrock Edition username

Bedrock Edition usernames are part of your Microsoft account, so you change them through Microsoft's account settings, not through Minecraft itself. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click "Your info" on the left side, then find "Manage your Microsoft account name" or "Change your name" (the exact wording varies by region). Enter your new name and follow the prompts to confirm.

Be aware that changing your Microsoft account name changes it everywhere you use that account — in Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox, and any other Microsoft service. It is not a Minecraft-only change. The new name shows up in Minecraft Bedrock Edition within a few minutes, and other players will see it in multiplayer games and on servers.

Microsoft does not enforce a 30-day wait between name changes the way Java Edition does, but changing your account name too frequently can trigger security alerts. If you change it multiple times in a short period, Microsoft may ask you to verify your identity.

What stays the same when you change your username

Your game progress, worlds, items, and achievements do not disappear or reset when you change your username. In Java Edition, your UUID (a unique identifier behind the scenes) stays the same, so servers and friends lists recognize you as the same player even though your visible name changed. In Bedrock Edition, your Microsoft account ID stays the same, so your worlds and progress follow you.

If you play on servers or in multiplayer worlds, other players will see your new name the next time you join. Old chat messages or signs with your old name will still show the old name — the game does not retroactively update text you wrote before the change. If you are worried about being recognized, understand that players who know your old name may still connect the dots, especially on small or private servers.

If you do not own the account

If the account was created by someone else — a parent, friend, or family member — you cannot change the username yourself. The person who created the account or has access to the email address it is tied to has to make the change. Ask them to log into their account settings and change it for you, or ask them to give you access to the email address so you can reset the password and take control of the account.

If you cannot contact the account owner or they will not help, your only option is to create a new Minecraft account with a username you choose. You will start with a fresh profile, but you can still play the same game — you just will not have access to any worlds or progress from the old account.

Usernames that will not work

Minecraft has a list of reserved names and names that violate its community standards. You cannot use usernames that are profane, that impersonate Mojang or Microsoft staff, that reference hate speech, or that are already taken by another player. If you try to use a name that breaks these rules, the system will reject it and ask you to pick something else.

Names with spaces, special characters, or numbers are allowed. You can use underscores, numbers, and capital letters. The name has to be between 3 and 16 characters long.

What to do if your desired username is taken

If someone else already has the username you want, you cannot claim it or wait for it to become available. Minecraft does not have a system for reserving names or for names to expire if an account goes inactive. Your options are to pick a variation — adding a number, underscore, or letter — or choose a different name altogether.

Some players add numbers to the end of their preferred name (like "Player123" instead of "Player"), use underscores to separate words, or add a short prefix or suffix. The name has to be available right now, so you will know when ready whether your choice works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username cost money?

No. Java Edition and Bedrock Edition both allow free username changes. Java Edition limits you to one change every 30 days, but there is no fee. Bedrock Edition has no set limit, though changing too often may trigger security checks.

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Yes, as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If you change from "OldName" to "NewName," you can change back to "OldName" later — but if someone else takes "OldName" while you are using "NewName," you cannot get it back.

Will my friends still see me on their friends list after I change my name?

Yes. In Java Edition, your UUID stays the same, so friends lists recognize you. In Bedrock Edition, your Microsoft account ID stays the same. Your friends will see your new name, but you will still be on their list.

Can I change my username on console versions like Nintendo Switch or PlayStation?

On Nintendo Switch and other consoles running Bedrock Edition, you change your username through your Microsoft account settings, the same way you would on Windows or mobile. You cannot change it directly in the game.

What if I forgot the email address my account is tied to?

You will need to recover access to that email address or contact Mojang Support (for Java Edition) or Microsoft Support (for Bedrock Edition) to verify you own the account. Without access to the original email, you cannot change the password or username yourself.