Yes, you can change your Minecraft username on Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition lets you change your username through your Microsoft account settings, not through the game itself. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you play on Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or mobile. Your old username disappears when ready, and the new one shows up in-game right away.

The catch: you can only change your username once every 30 days. If you change it and then want to change it again, you have to wait a full month before the option becomes available. This limit applies across all Bedrock platforms — changing your name on Xbox counts the same as changing it on Windows.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Bedrock username through your Microsoft account online, not in the game settings.
  • The change takes effect when ready across all Bedrock platforms you play on.
  • You can only change your username once every 30 days, and this limit is shared across all devices.
  • Your old username becomes available for someone else to use as soon as you change yours.
  • If you play on a console like Xbox or PlayStation, you still use your Microsoft account to change it, not your console account.

How to change your username through your Microsoft account

Go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser and sign in with the Microsoft account you use for Minecraft. Once you are logged in, look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner and click it. A menu will drop down — select View profile or My profile depending on what your browser shows.

On your profile page, look for an Edit profile button or a pencil icon next to your name. Click it. You will see a field labeled Gamertag or Display name — this is what shows in Minecraft. Clear the current name and type your new username. Click Save when you are done. The system will confirm the change, and you are finished.

The new name shows up in Bedrock within a few seconds. If you have the game open, you may need to restart it to see the change reflected everywhere. On console, you may need to sign out and sign back in, but the name change itself happens through the website, not on the device.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your name, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim. This means someone could take it if they want it. If you think you might want that name back someday, consider whether you should change at all, because you cannot reserve it or get it back once it is gone.

Your Minecraft worlds, achievements, and game progress stay with your Microsoft account no matter what username you use. Changing your name does not erase anything — it only changes what other players see when you join their world or they see you in multiplayer.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, the system locks you out of changing it again for 30 days. This applies whether you play on Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or mobile — the timer is tied to your Microsoft account, not to any single device. If you change your name on Xbox, you cannot change it again on Windows until 30 days have passed.

The 30 days starts from the moment you save the change, not from when you first tried to change it. If you change your name on a Tuesday, you can change it again on the Tuesday 30 days later. There is no way to speed this up or remove the restriction.

Troubleshooting: your username change did not work

If you clicked Save but the name did not change, the most common reason is that the username you chose is already taken or contains characters the system does not allow. Minecraft usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can only use letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces, special characters, and names that are already in use will be rejected.

If you see an error message, try a different name. If the website itself is not loading or you cannot sign into your Microsoft account, clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again in a private or incognito window. If you still cannot access your account, you may need to reset your Microsoft password or check whether your account has two-factor authentication enabled that is blocking the sign-in.

Changing your username on console versus Windows

The process is identical whether you play on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or Windows — you always go through your Microsoft account online. You do not change your username in the game settings on any platform. Some players think they need to change their Xbox Gamertag or PlayStation Network name, but that is separate from your Minecraft username and will not change what appears in the game.

If you play on console and want to change your Minecraft name, sign into account.microsoft.com from any computer or phone, make the change, and it will be live the next time you launch Bedrock on your console. You do not need to do anything on the console itself.

What to know before you change your username

Think through your new name before you save it, because you are locked into it for 30 days. If you change it and when ready regret it, you have to wait a month to change it again. Write down what you want your new name to be and check that it is available before you go to the website.

If you play on a server or in a realm with other people, let them know you are changing your name so they do not think you are a different player. Your old name will not appear in chat history or on leaderboards — it will be replaced with your new name everywhere. If you were known by your old name, people might not recognize you at first.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The 30-day limit is enforced by Microsoft and applies across all Bedrock platforms. You cannot change it on one device to bypass the timer on another. You have to wait the full 30 days before the option becomes available again.

Does changing my Minecraft username affect my Xbox Gamertag or PlayStation Network name?

No. Your Minecraft username is separate from your console account name. Changing one does not change the other. If you want your console name to match your Minecraft name, you would have to change both separately through their own settings.

Will I lose my worlds and progress if I change my username?

No. Your worlds, achievements, and all progress stay with your Microsoft account. Changing your username only changes what other players see — it does not affect anything you own or have built.

What if someone takes my old username after I change mine?

Once you change your name, your old username is available for anyone to claim. You cannot get it back. If you think you might want it later, you should keep your current name instead.

Why does the website say my chosen username is unavailable?

Either someone else already has that name, or it contains characters Minecraft does not allow. Usernames can only use letters, numbers, and underscores, and must be between 3 and 16 characters long. Try a different name with only those characters.