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

If you play Minecraft Java Edition, your username is tied to your Microsoft account. To change it, you log into your Microsoft account online, go to your profile settings, and update the name there. The change takes effect when ready in the game. You can do this once every 30 days — if you try to change it again before 30 days have passed, the system will tell you when you can change it next.

Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile) uses your Microsoft account username as well, but the process is identical. Both versions pull your name from the same Microsoft account, so changing it in one place changes it everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username by logging into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com and editing your profile name in the settings.
  • The change takes effect when ready in Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.
  • You can only change your username once every 30 days, and the system will show you the exact date you can change it again.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after you change it.
  • If you forget your Microsoft account password, you will need to reset it before you can change your username.

Step-by-step: changing your username on a computer

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Click the sign-in button and enter the email address and password for your Microsoft account — this is the same account linked to your Minecraft game.

Once you are signed in, look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner and click it. Select "My Microsoft account" or "View account" from the menu. On the account page, find the section labeled "Your info" or "Profile" and click "Edit name" or "Edit profile".

In the name field, type your new username. Microsoft will show you whether that name is available. If it is taken, you will see a message saying so, and you can try a different name. Once you find one that works, click "Save" or "Next" to confirm the change.

The new name appears in Minecraft the next time you launch the game. You do not need to restart your computer or reinstall anything — just close Minecraft completely and open it again.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for another player to claim. This happens when ready. If you change your mind within a few minutes, you cannot reclaim the old name if someone else has already taken it.

Any skins, capes, or cosmetics you owned stay with your account and appear on your new username. Your game progress, achievements, and worlds are not affected by the name change. Other players' worlds where you have built things will still show your new name when they load the world.

The 30-day waiting period explained

Microsoft enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. This is a security measure — it makes it harder for someone who gains temporary access to your account to lock you out by changing your name repeatedly.

If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed, the website will show you the exact date and time when you can change it again. You cannot bypass this wait. If you need to change your username urgently because of harassment or a security concern, contact Microsoft Support through your account settings, but they rarely override the 30-day rule.

Troubleshooting: username changes that do not work

If you see an error message saying your new name is unavailable, it means another player has already claimed it. Try a different spelling, add numbers, or use underscores. Names with spaces are not allowed in Minecraft.

If the "Save" button does not respond or the page will not load, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again in a different browser. Sometimes your browser holds onto old data that interferes with the change. If you are still stuck, sign out completely, close the browser, and sign back in fresh.

If you see a message that you cannot change your username yet, you have already changed it within the last 30 days. The website will tell you the exact date you become may be able to access to change it again. There is no way to speed this up.

Changing your username on mobile or console

You cannot change your username directly in the Minecraft app on phone, tablet, or console. You must use a computer and go through account.microsoft.com as described above. Once you change it there, the new name syncs to all your devices the next time you launch Minecraft.

On Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or PlayStation, your Minecraft username is separate from your console username. Changing your Minecraft username does not change your console account name, and vice versa. Only the Minecraft name changes when you edit your Microsoft account profile.

Why your username matters in multiplayer

Other players see your username when you join their world or server. If you change your name, they will see the new one the next time you connect. Old screenshots or videos where you appear will still show your old name, but your current profile shows the new one.

Some servers keep ban lists by username. If you were banned from a server under your old name, changing your username will not lift the ban — the server owner would need to remove the old name from their ban list, or they can ban your account ID instead, which does not change when you change your name.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Microsoft locks you into a 30-day wait between changes. The website shows you the exact date you can change it again. If you need to change it sooner for a security reason, contact Microsoft Support, but they rarely make exceptions.

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

Your old username becomes available when ready and anyone can claim it. If this happens, you cannot get it back. Choose your new username carefully and do not announce your old name publicly before you change it.

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

No. Your game worlds, achievements, skins, and everything else on your account stays with you. Only your display name changes. Other players will see your new name in shared worlds, but your progress is untouched.

Will changing my username get me unbanned from a server?

Not automatically. Some servers ban by username, and changing your name might let you rejoin. Others ban by account ID, which does not change. Contact the server owner to ask whether your ban is tied to your username or your account.

Can I change my username on the Minecraft launcher without going to Microsoft's website?

No. The launcher does not have a name-change option. You must go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and change it in your profile settings. The change then syncs to the launcher and the game.