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, or mobile), your username is tied to your Microsoft account, and you change it through Microsoft's account settings instead — also free, with the same 30-day waiting period between changes.

The key difference: Java Edition lets you change just your in-game name. Bedrock Edition changes your Microsoft account name across all Microsoft services, not just Minecraft. If you share a device or use Microsoft services for work or school, changing your account name affects everything.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition players change their username through the Mojang launcher, free and once per 30 days, without affecting anything outside Minecraft.
  • Bedrock Edition players change their username through Microsoft account settings, which changes the name across all Microsoft services, not just Minecraft.
  • You must wait 30 days between username changes in either version, and the old name becomes available for someone else to claim after a delay.
  • Changing your username does not affect your worlds, achievements, or items — they stay with your account.
  • If you cannot access your account or forgot your password, you must recover your account before you can change the username.

How to change your username in Java Edition

Open the Minecraft launcher and sign in with your Mojang account email and password. Click the account icon or your current username in the top right corner, then select "Account Settings" or "Profile" (the exact label varies by launcher version).

On the account page, look for the "Change Username" or "Profile Name" option. Enter your new username — it must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot be blank. Click "Change" or "Save." The change takes effect when ready in single-player worlds and on servers you join next.

If you see a message that your username is unavailable, someone else has already claimed it. Try a different name. If you see an error about waiting time, you changed your username fewer than 30 days ago and must wait until the cooldown expires.

How to change your username in Bedrock Edition

Your Bedrock username is controlled by your Microsoft account, not by Minecraft itself. To change it, sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, then go to "Your Info" or "Profile" in the left menu.

Look for "Manage your Microsoft account" or a section labeled "Name" or "Profile." Click "Edit name" or "Change name." Enter your new name and confirm. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity — you may need to enter a security code sent to your email or phone. After you confirm, the change takes effect across all Microsoft services, including Minecraft, Xbox, OneDrive, and Outlook if you use them.

The new name appears in Minecraft the next time you launch the game. If you are playing on a device where you are not the account owner, ask the account owner to make the change.

What happens to your worlds and progress when you change your username

Your worlds, items, achievements, and all progress stay with your account. Changing your username does not delete anything or reset your game. Other players will see your new name in multiplayer servers and realms, but your old worlds and items are still yours.

On servers where you had a house or built something, the blocks and structures you placed remain. Your name just appears differently above your character. If you were banned from a server under your old username, changing your name does not lift the ban — the server tracks your account ID, not your name.

The 30-day waiting period and what it means

Both Java and Bedrock editions enforce a 30-day cooldown between username changes. This means if you changed your username today, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The timer resets each time you make a change.

During this waiting period, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a few days. If you want to keep a name reserved, do not change away from it. If you change your mind about a new username, you have to wait the full 30 days before switching back — and by then, someone else may have claimed your old name.

If you cannot access your account or forgot your password

You cannot change your username if you cannot log in. For Java Edition, go to account.mojang.com and click "Forgot your password?" Enter the email address linked to your account. Mojang will send a password reset link to that email. Click the link, create a new password, and sign back into the launcher.

For Bedrock Edition, go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account?" Follow Microsoft's recovery steps, which usually involve verifying your identity through email or phone. Once you regain access, you can change your username through your account settings.

If you no longer have access to the email address on your account, contact Mojang Support (for Java) or Microsoft Support (for Bedrock) with proof of account ownership, such as a receipt from a purchase or the phone number you registered with.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Both Java and Bedrock enforce a mandatory 30-day wait between changes. If you try to change your username before the cooldown expires, the launcher or account settings will show you the exact date you can change it again.

If I change my username, will my friends still see me on their friends list?

Yes. Your account ID stays the same when you change your username, so your friends list does not break. Your friends will see your new name the next time they log in or refresh their friends list.

Can I have a different username in Java Edition and Bedrock Edition?

Yes. Java Edition uses your Mojang account username, and Bedrock uses your Microsoft account name. You can set them to different names. If you migrated your Java account to Microsoft, they may be linked, but you can still change them separately.

What if someone else took my old username after I changed it?

Once you change your username, the old name enters a grace period (usually a few days) before it becomes available to others. If someone claimed it during that window, you cannot reclaim it. Choose a new username instead. Mojang and Microsoft do not restore old usernames.

Does changing my username affect my Minecraft Realms or servers I own?

No. Realms and servers you own stay yours. Other players will see your new username when they join, but your ownership and access do not change. If you invited friends to your Realm under your old name, they can still find and join it under your new name.