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

If you play Minecraft Java Edition, you can change your username once every 30 days through your Minecraft account settings on the official website. If you play Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile), your username is tied to your Microsoft account, and you change it through Microsoft's account settings instead — with no waiting period between changes.

The key difference is that Java Edition treats usernames as a separate layer you control independently, while Bedrock Edition uses your Microsoft account identity directly. Both let you change your name, but the steps and rules are different enough that doing it wrong in one version can leave you confused about why the other version's process looks nothing like what you expected.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition players change their username through minecraft.net account settings and must wait 30 days between changes.
  • Bedrock Edition players change their username through their Microsoft account settings with no waiting period.
  • Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so choose your new name before you make the switch.
  • Changing your username does not affect your game progress, skins, or worlds in either version.
  • If you cannot remember your account password, you will need to reset it before you can change your username.

Changing your username in Java Edition

Go to minecraft.net and sign in with your Microsoft account. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Profile" from the dropdown menu. On your profile page, look for the section labeled "Name" — this shows your current username and a button to change it.

Click the change button. You will see a text field where you can type your new username. Minecraft usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Once you type your new name, the system will tell you when ready if it is already taken or if it breaks the character rules. If the name is available, confirm the change.

After you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This cooldown applies even if you change it back to your old name. Your old username becomes available for other players to claim when ready, so if you think you might want it back later, you cannot rely on that.

Changing your username in Bedrock Edition

Your Bedrock Edition username is part of your Microsoft account, not a separate Minecraft setting. To change it, go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click on "Your info" in the left sidebar, then look for the section that shows your account name or profile name.

Click "Manage your Microsoft account name" or the edit button next to your name. You will be taken to a page where you can enter a new name. Microsoft usernames follow similar rules to Minecraft Java usernames — letters, numbers, and underscores, typically 3 to 20 characters. Type your new name and confirm the change.

Unlike Java Edition, Bedrock Edition has no waiting period between username changes. You can change your name as often as you want. The change takes effect across all Bedrock platforms you play on — Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile — because they all use the same Microsoft account.

What happens to your progress when you change your username

Your game progress, worlds, skins, and inventory stay with your account no matter what username you choose. Other players will see your new name the next time they load a world with you in it, but your old buildings, items, and achievements do not disappear or reset.

In multiplayer servers, some servers keep player data tied to your old username in their own databases. If you play on a private server or a community server that stores player information locally, the server owner may need to update their records manually so your new username is linked to your old player data. Public servers like Hypixel or Mineplex usually handle this automatically because they use your account ID rather than your username to track progress.

If your desired username is already taken

Minecraft does not have a queue or reservation system for usernames. If the name you want is taken, you cannot claim it unless the person who owns it changes their username or their account is deleted by Microsoft for inactivity or violation of terms.

Microsoft deletes accounts that have had no login activity for two years, which frees up the username. However, you cannot request or predict when this will happen, and there is no way to know if an account is inactive just by looking at it. Your best option is to choose a variation of your desired name — adding a number, underscore, or short word to make it unique.

Troubleshooting username changes that do not work

If you cannot find the username change button on minecraft.net, make sure you are signed in with a Microsoft account, not a legacy Mojang account. Minecraft Java Edition requires a Microsoft account to change your username through the website. If you still have a Mojang account, you need to migrate it to Microsoft first.

If you changed your username in Bedrock Edition but it is not showing up in-game, sign out of the game completely and sign back in. Sometimes the game client caches your old username and needs to refresh. If it still shows your old name after signing back in, restart the game entirely.

If you see an error message saying your username is unavailable or invalid, check that you are using only letters, numbers, and underscores, and that your name is between the minimum and maximum character length. Spaces and special characters like hyphens or periods are not allowed in Minecraft usernames.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

In Java Edition, yes, but only after 30 days have passed since your last change. In Bedrock Edition, you can change it back when ready. However, if someone else claimed your old username in the meantime, you cannot have it back unless they change theirs first.

Do I lose my skins or capes when I change my username?

No. Your skins and capes are tied to your account, not your username. They stay with you after you change your name. Other players will see you wearing the same skin you had before.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes, if they have you added as a friend through your account ID or Microsoft account. If they only know you by your old username and do not have you in their friends list, they will need your new username to find you. Tell your friends your new name so they can update it.

What if I forgot my password and cannot sign in to change my username?

Go to the sign-in page for your account (minecraft.net for Java, account.microsoft.com for Bedrock) and click "Forgot password?" Follow the recovery steps, which usually involve confirming your email address or phone number. Once you reset your password, you can sign in and change your username.

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

On Nintendo Switch and other Bedrock platforms, you change your username through your Microsoft account settings, not through the game itself. The process is the same as described in the Bedrock section above. PlayStation Edition is a legacy version no longer updated by Microsoft, and username changes on that version are not supported.