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 or play multiplayer. If you play on Java Edition (the original PC version), you change it through your Microsoft account settings, not inside the game itself. The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing.

You get one free username change every 30 days. If you change your username and want to change it again, you must wait 30 days from the date of your last change before the option becomes available. The timer resets on the exact date you made the change, not on the first of the next month.

Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile) works differently — your username there is tied to your Microsoft account's display name, which you can change more freely. This guide covers Java Edition, where the 30-day rule applies.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Java Edition username through your Microsoft account on the official Minecraft website, not through the game launcher.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the waiting period starts from the date you made the change.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after 37 days of inactivity, so if you change back, someone else may have taken it.
  • Bedrock Edition uses your Microsoft account display name instead, which you can change in your Microsoft account settings without the 30-day wait.
  • Your UUID (the unique identifier behind the scenes) never changes, so your skin, achievements, and server data stay with you after a username change.

Step 1: Sign into your Microsoft account on the Minecraft website

Go to minecraft.net in your web browser. Look for the "Sign In" button in the top right corner and click it. You will be asked to enter the email address or phone number linked to your Microsoft account, then your password. This is the same account you use to launch the game.

If you do not remember your password, click "Can't access your account?" on the sign-in page and follow Microsoft's recovery steps. You will need access to the email or phone number on file to reset it.

Step 2: Go to your account settings and find the profile section

Once you are signed in, look for your profile icon or account menu, usually in the top right corner. Click it and select "Profile" or "Account Settings" — the exact wording varies depending on your browser and whether you are on mobile or desktop. You should see a page showing your current username and other account details.

If you cannot find a profile menu, try going directly to minecraft.net/en-us/profile in your browser's address bar. This takes you straight to your profile page without hunting through menus.

Step 3: Locate the username change option

On your profile page, look for a section labeled "Name and Player" or "Minecraft Profile." You should see your current username displayed here. Next to it, there will be a button or link that says "Change" or "Edit" — click it to open the username change form.

If the button is grayed out or says "Change available in X days," you have already changed your username recently and must wait until the 30-day period has passed. The page will show you the exact date when you can change again.

Step 4: Type your new username and check availability

A text box will appear where you can type your new username. Minecraft usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like hyphens or periods are not allowed.

As you type, the system will tell you whether the name is available. If it shows a green checkmark, the name is free and you can use it. If it shows a red X or says "unavailable," someone else has already claimed that name and you need to choose something different. Keep trying different combinations until you find one that is available.

Step 5: Confirm the change and wait for it to take effect

Once you have chosen an available username, click the "Change Name" or "Confirm" button. The page will ask you to confirm that you want to make this change — click yes. Your new username is now active.

The change takes effect when ready in most cases, though it can take up to a few minutes to show up on servers and in other players' games. If you are already logged into Minecraft, you may need to restart the game launcher for the new name to appear. Your skin, achievements, and server progress all stay with you — only the name changes.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Your old username does not disappear right away. For 37 days after you change your username, your old name is reserved and cannot be claimed by anyone else. This gives you a window to change back if you made a mistake, since you can change your username again after 30 days have passed.

After 37 days, your old username becomes available for any other player to claim. If you want to use that name again later, you would have to wait for it to be released and then hope no one else has taken it in the meantime. For this reason, if you think you might want your old name back, change it again within the 37-day window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on Bedrock Edition the same way?

No. Bedrock Edition uses your Microsoft account display name instead of a separate Minecraft username. You change it in your Microsoft account settings, not on minecraft.net. You can change your display name more frequently than once every 30 days, though Microsoft may have its own limits on how often you can change it.

What if someone else takes my old username before I can change back?

Once your old username is claimed by another player, you cannot get it back. You would have to choose a different name. This is why it is important to change back within the 37-day window if you think you might want your original name again.

Do I lose my skin, achievements, or server progress when I change my username?

No. Your UUID — the unique identifier Minecraft uses behind the scenes — never changes. Your skin, achievements, inventory, and all server data stay with you. Only the name that other players see is different.

Why does the website say I cannot change my username yet?

You have already changed your username within the last 30 days. The website will show you the exact date when you can change again. The 30-day timer starts from the date you made your last change, not from the beginning of the month.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my new username?

No. Minecraft usernames can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other special characters are not allowed. If you try to use them, the system will tell you the name is invalid.