Where to Change Your Username

You change your Minecraft username through the official Minecraft launcher on your computer, not in the game itself. The launcher is the program you open before you start playing — it's where you log in with your Microsoft account. If you play on console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) or mobile (Pocket Edition), you cannot change your username through Minecraft; you would need to change your console or phone account name instead, which affects all games on that device.

The username change feature is only available to Java Edition players on Windows, Mac, or Linux. If you own Bedrock Edition (the version that runs on Windows 10 and 11, consoles, and phones), you cannot change your username directly — you would need to create a new Microsoft account and buy the game again on that account, which is why most Bedrock players keep their original name.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Java Edition username through the Minecraft launcher by clicking your profile name and selecting "Change" next to your current username.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready in the launcher and in-game.
  • Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 37 days of not being used, so pick a new one you plan to keep.
  • Bedrock Edition players cannot change their username without creating a new Microsoft account and repurchasing the game.
  • Console and mobile players must change their device account name, which changes the name across all games on that device.

Steps to Change Your Username in the Launcher

Open the Minecraft launcher and log in with your Microsoft account if you are not already logged in. Look at the top left of the launcher window — you will see your current username displayed there. Click on your username to open a dropdown menu.

In the dropdown, you will see your current username listed. Next to it, click the button that says "Change" (it may appear as a pencil icon or the word "Change" depending on your launcher version). A text box will appear where you can type your new username. Type the name you want — usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Click "Change Name" to confirm.

The launcher will tell you whether the name is available. If someone else has already claimed it, you will see a message saying the name is taken, and you will need to choose a different one. If the name is available, the change happens when ready. Close the launcher and reopen it — your new username should now appear at the top left.

What Happens to Your Old Username

Your old username does not disappear right away. For 37 days after you change it, the old name is reserved under your account and no one else can use it. This is a safety feature — if you change your name by mistake, you can change it back within 30 days and reclaim your old name without anyone else taking it in the meantime.

After 37 days have passed, your old username becomes available for any other player to claim. This means if you change your name and then wait two months, someone else could create an account with your former username. Your old skins, capes, and achievements stay with your account under your new name — they do not transfer to whoever claims your old username.

The 30-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

You can only change your username once every 30 days. If you try to change it again before 30 days have passed since your last change, the launcher will show you a message telling you when you can change it next. This limit exists to prevent spam and account takeover attempts.

The 30-day timer starts from the moment you confirm your username change in the launcher, not from when you first click "Change." If you change your name on a Monday at 3 p.m., you cannot change it again until the following Monday at 3 p.m. Plan your new username carefully so you do not waste a change on a name you do not want to keep long-term.

Troubleshooting: Name Not Available or Change Button Missing

If you see "Change" but it is grayed out or disabled, you are likely still within your 30-day waiting period. Check the message next to the button — it will tell you the exact date and time when you can change your name again. You cannot bypass this limit.

If the name you want is taken, try variations: add a number at the end, use an underscore, or shorten it. The launcher will tell you when ready whether a name is available as you type. If you see an error message saying "Something went wrong," close the launcher completely and reopen it. If the problem continues, restart your computer and try again.

If you cannot find the "Change" button at all, make sure you are using Java Edition, not Bedrock Edition. Open the launcher and look at the bottom left — it should say "Minecraft Java Edition." If it says "Minecraft for Windows" or you see a different interface, you own Bedrock Edition and cannot change your username this way.

What Changes and What Stays the Same

When you change your username, your character's skin, cape, and all your achievements and progress in worlds stay with your account. Friends who have you added will see your new username the next time they log in. Any servers you have joined will show your new name to other players. Your UUID (a unique identifier behind the scenes) never changes — the game uses this to track your account, not your username.

Your Microsoft account email and password do not change. You still log into the launcher with the same email you always used. Only the display name that other players see in-game changes. If you have a Realms subscription, it stays active under your account with your new username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on a server or in a single-player world?

No. You must change it through the launcher before you join any world or server. Once you change it in the launcher, the new name appears everywhere you play — you cannot have different names on different servers.

What if I change my username and then want my old name back?

You can change back to your old username within 30 days of the original change, and it will not count as a separate change. After 30 days, your old name becomes available to other players, and you can no longer reclaim it without waiting for someone else to stop using it.

Do I need to change my Microsoft account name to change my Minecraft username?

No. Your Microsoft account name and your Minecraft username are separate. You change only your Minecraft username through the launcher. Your Microsoft account email stays the same.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Minecraft usernames can only contain letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, and other symbols are not allowed.

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

Yes. Your friends will see your new username in their friends list the next time they log in. You do not need to re-add each other.