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

If you play Minecraft Java Edition, you can change your username through your Microsoft account settings. Microsoft acquired Minecraft in 2014 and now manages all Java Edition accounts. The change takes effect when ready in-game, though the old name becomes available for others to claim after 37 days. You get one free username change; additional changes cost money.

The exact steps and restrictions differ based on whether you own a legacy Minecraft account (created before the Microsoft takeover) or a newer Microsoft account. Both types can change their username, but legacy accounts have different rules about how often and whether the change is permanent.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft accounts can change their Minecraft Java username once for free, then must pay for future changes.
  • Legacy Minecraft accounts can change their username as often as they want, and the old name becomes available to others after 37 days.
  • You change your username through your Microsoft account profile settings, not through the Minecraft launcher.
  • The new username takes effect when ready when you log back into the game, but servers may cache the old name for a short time.

How to change your username on a Microsoft account

Go to your Microsoft account page at account.microsoft.com and sign in with the email address linked to your Minecraft Java Edition account. Click "Your info" in the left menu, then find the section labeled "Minecraft profile" or "Gaming profile." You should see your current Minecraft username displayed there.

Click the option to edit or change your username. Type your new name into the field — usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores only. No spaces or special characters are allowed. After you enter the new name, click confirm or save. The change is when ready.

If you see a message that your username cannot be changed, you may have already used your one free change. Microsoft accounts get one free username change; after that, you must pay through the Minecraft launcher to change it again. The cost varies by region but is typically a few dollars per change.

How to change your username on a legacy account

Legacy accounts are older Minecraft accounts created before Microsoft's acquisition. If you own one, you can change your username as many times as you want at no cost. Go to minecraft.net, sign in with your legacy account credentials, and look for the profile or account settings page. You should see a "Change name" button or similar option.

Enter your new username using the same rules: 3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only. Click confirm. The change takes effect the next time you log into the game. Unlike Microsoft accounts, legacy accounts do not charge for additional changes, so you can update your name whenever you want.

If you are unsure whether you own a legacy account or a Microsoft account, try logging into minecraft.net with your original Minecraft username and password. If that works, you have a legacy account. If you are asked to sign in with a Microsoft email instead, your account has been migrated to Microsoft's system.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, the old name does not disappear when ready. It stays reserved under your account for 37 days. During this time, no other player can claim it. After 37 days, the name becomes available for anyone else to use. If you change your mind within that window, you can change back to your old username for free on legacy accounts, or use your free change on a Microsoft account.

Servers and other players may still see your old username for a short time after you change it, because server lists cache player names. This usually clears within a few hours, but can take up to a day on servers that do not update frequently. Your skin and UUID (the unique identifier behind your account) stay the same, so friends can still find you.

Paid username changes on Microsoft accounts

After you use your one free change on a Microsoft account, additional changes cost money. You buy a name change token through the Minecraft launcher. Open the launcher, click your profile name in the top right, select "Minecraft: Java Edition," and look for the option to change your name or buy a name change token. The price depends on your region but is usually between $5 and $10 USD.

You can change your username as many times as you want after that, as long as you buy a token for each change. The token is used when ready when you confirm your new name. There is no limit to how many times you can change your name on a Microsoft account if you keep buying tokens.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you cannot find the username change option in your Microsoft account, make sure you are signed into the correct account. Your Minecraft Java Edition account must be linked to your Microsoft account. If you created your Minecraft account before the migration and have not linked it yet, you will need to do that first through the Minecraft launcher.

If the name you want is already taken, you will see an error message. Try a different variation — add a number, use an underscore, or pick a different name entirely. You cannot reserve a name before claiming it; the name must be available at the moment you try to change to it.

If you see a message that you have already used your free change, you have a Microsoft account and must buy a name change token to change your name again. Legacy accounts do not have this limit.

The difference between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition

Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition are separate games with separate accounts. If you play Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10/11, consoles, or mobile), your username is tied to your Microsoft account but works differently. Bedrock usernames are your Microsoft gamertag, and changing it affects all your Microsoft games, not just Minecraft.

This article covers Java Edition only. If you play Bedrock, you change your name through your Microsoft account's gamertag settings, and the process is different. The two editions do not share usernames or progress, so changing your name in one does not affect the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. After 37 days, your old username becomes available for anyone to claim. If someone else takes it, you cannot get it back. You can change your name to something else, but you cannot reclaim an old name once the 37-day window closes.

Do I lose my progress or skin when I change my username?

No. Your world saves, inventory, and skin stay exactly the same. Your UUID (the unique identifier behind your account) never changes, so servers recognize you as the same player. Friends can still find you by your new name.

Why does my old username still show on servers after I changed it?

Servers cache player names to reduce load on their systems. Your new name should appear within a few hours, but some servers update less frequently. If it has been more than a day, try logging out and back in, or contact the server administrator.

Can I change my username on the Minecraft launcher instead of the website?

On newer Microsoft accounts, you change your username through your Microsoft account profile, not the launcher. The launcher only lets you buy name change tokens if you have already used your free change. Legacy accounts can change their name through minecraft.net.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Try a different name. You cannot reserve usernames or put your name on a waitlist. The name must be available at the exact moment you try to claim it. Adding numbers or underscores to your preferred name is a common workaround.