You can change your Minecraft username once every 30 days through your Microsoft account

Your Minecraft username is the name other players see when you join servers and play multiplayer games. If you want a different name, you change it through the Microsoft account that owns your game — not through the Minecraft launcher itself. The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing.

Microsoft allows one username change every 30 days. If you changed your name recently, you will see a countdown timer showing when you can change it again. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception.

The steps are the same whether you play Minecraft Java Edition or Bedrock Edition, as long as your game is linked to a Microsoft account. If you still use an old Mojang account (the original Minecraft company before Microsoft bought it), you must migrate to Microsoft first — that is a separate process.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username by logging into your Microsoft account on the web, not through the game itself.
  • Microsoft enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes, and you can see the exact date you can change again in your account settings.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after you change it.
  • Changing your username does not affect your game progress, achievements, or items — those stay with your account.

Step 1: Go to your Microsoft account and sign in

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Click the "Sign in" button and enter the email address and password for the Microsoft account that owns your Minecraft game. If you use two-factor authentication (a code sent to your phone or email), you will need to enter that code as well.

Once you are signed in, you will see your account dashboard with options like "Your info", "Security", and "Devices". You are now in the right place to change your username.

Step 2: Find the profile name section and click edit

On your account dashboard, look for a section labeled "Your info" or "Profile". Click on it. You will see your current Minecraft username displayed — it may be labeled as "Gamertag" or "Profile name" depending on which version of the Microsoft account page you are on.

Next to your current username, you should see an "Edit" button or a pencil icon. Click that button. If you do not see an edit option, scroll down — sometimes it appears below other profile information.

Step 3: Type your new username and confirm

A text box will appear with your current username highlighted. Delete it and type your new username. Minecraft usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like hyphens or periods are not allowed.

As you type, the page will tell you whether the name is available. If another player already has the name you want, you will see a message saying it is taken — try a different one. Once you find a name that is available, click the "Save" or "Confirm" button. The change takes effect when ready, and you will see your new username the next time you launch Minecraft.

What happens to your old username

After you change your username, your old name becomes available for any other player to claim. This happens right away — there is no grace period. If you are worried someone might take your old name, you can change it to something you do not mind losing, or you can straightforward accept that it will eventually be claimed by someone else.

Your game progress, items, achievements, and friends list all stay with your account. Changing your username does not erase anything or move your progress to a different account. Other players will see your new name in multiplayer games, but they can still find you by your new username in their friends list.

If you cannot find the username change option

If you are signed into your Microsoft account but do not see a way to change your username, you may be on the wrong page. Look for a link that says "Edit profile" or "Manage your Microsoft account". Some versions of the Microsoft account page reorganize these options, so the exact location can vary.

Another reason you might not see the option is if your account is not yet linked to Minecraft. If you created your Microsoft account but never actually bought or launched Minecraft with it, the username change feature may not appear. In that case, launch Minecraft once with that account, then return to the Microsoft account page.

Changing your username if you still use a Mojang account

If your Minecraft game is still tied to an old Mojang account (created before Microsoft bought Minecraft), you cannot change your username through Microsoft account settings. You must first migrate your Mojang account to a Microsoft account. This is a one-time process that takes a few minutes and is free.

To migrate, go to minecraft.net, sign in with your Mojang credentials, and look for a "Migrate to Microsoft Account" button. Follow the steps to link your Mojang account to a new or existing Microsoft account. After migration is complete, you can change your username using the steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Microsoft enforces a strict 30-day waiting period between changes. You can see the exact date you are allowed to change again by going to your Microsoft account settings. There is no way to bypass this or request an exception.

Will changing my username affect my game progress or items?

No. Your progress, items, achievements, and friends list all stay with your account. Changing your username is purely cosmetic — it only changes what other players see when you play.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Try a different name. You can add numbers or underscores to make a variation of the name you want. The Microsoft account page will tell you when ready whether a name is available as you type it.

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

No. The launcher does not have a username change option. You must go to account.microsoft.com on the web to change it. After you change it there, the new name will appear in the launcher the next time you restart it.

What happens if someone takes my old username after I change it?

Your account and progress are not affected. The other player will straightforward have that username, but your game progress stays with your account under your new username. You cannot reclaim an old username once someone else has taken it.