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

Your Minecraft username is the name that appears above your character in the game and on your profile. To change it, you log into your Mojang account on the web, go to the profile settings, and enter a new name. The change takes effect when ready in the game, though other players may still see your old name briefly if they are already in a world with you.

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, you will see a countdown timer showing when you can change it again. There is no cost to change your username, and you keep all your worlds, skins, and progress.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Mojang account at account.mojang.com using the email address linked to your Minecraft account.
  • Click on your profile name at the top right, then select "Profile" to reach the username settings.
  • Click the pencil icon next to your current username to edit it, type your new name, and click "Change Name".
  • You must wait 30 days after a username change before you can change it again.
  • Your new username appears when ready in single-player worlds and on your profile, though multiplayer servers may take a few minutes to update.

Step-by-step: changing your username on the Mojang website

Go to account.mojang.com in your web browser. Click "Log In" in the top right corner and enter the email address and password for your Mojang account. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will be asked to enter a code from your authenticator app or email.

Once you are logged in, look for your username or profile picture in the top right corner of the page. Click on it and select "Profile" from the dropdown menu. You will see your current username displayed on the profile page.

Find the pencil icon next to your username and click it. A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type your new username. Minecraft usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Click the "Change Name" button to save your new username.

A confirmation message will appear saying your username has been changed. You can now close the page and launch Minecraft. Your new username will be active when ready.

What happens if your desired username is already taken

If you try to change your username to a name that another player is already using, the website will show an error message saying the name is unavailable. You will need to choose a different name. Try adding a number or underscore to make it unique, or pick a completely different name.

Minecraft does not have a waiting list or reservation system for usernames. If you want a specific name, you have to try changing to it the moment it becomes available. Names are freed up when players abandon their accounts, but there is no way to know when that will happen.

Changing your username on console versions of Minecraft

If you play Minecraft on Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch, your username is tied to your console account, not your Mojang account. To change your gamertag on Xbox, go to Settings, then Account, then Gamertag. On PlayStation, go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Profile, then Edit Profile. On Nintendo Switch, go to System Settings, then Users, then Edit Profile.

These console usernames are separate from your Minecraft Java Edition username. If you play both Java Edition and console versions, you can have different names on each platform. Your progress and purchases are linked through your Microsoft account, so changing your console gamertag will not affect your Minecraft worlds or skins.

The 30-day waiting period between username changes

After you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This timer starts the moment you click "Change Name" on the Mojang website. If you try to change your username before the 30 days are up, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next.

The 30-day rule applies to every player, regardless of account age or how many times you have changed your name before. Plan your username changes carefully if you think you might want to change again soon. If you made a typo or chose a name you dislike, you will have to wait the full 30 days before you can fix it.

How other players see your new username

In single-player worlds and on the Minecraft launcher, your new username appears when ready after you change it. In multiplayer servers and realms, the change usually takes effect within a few minutes, though some older servers may take longer to update their player lists.

If you are in the middle of a multiplayer game when you change your username, other players in that world may still see your old name until they rejoin or the server restarts. Your old username will not work to log in anymore, so you must use your new name to join servers and realms going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username if I have not played in a long time?

Yes. Your ability to change your username is not affected by how long it has been since you last played. As long as your account is active and you have not changed your username in the last 30 days, you can change it whenever you want.

What if I forget my Mojang account password?

Go to account.mojang.com and click "Forgot your password?" on the login page. Enter the email address linked to your account and follow the instructions sent to your email. You will be able to reset your password and then log in to change your username.

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

No. Your worlds, skins, capes, and all other progress stay with your account. Changing your username does not delete or move anything. All your content is tied to your account, not your username.

Can I change my username back to a name I used before?

Only if no one else has claimed that name in the meantime. If another player changed their username to your old name, you cannot use it again unless that player changes their name away from it.

Why does the website say my username change failed?

The most common reasons are that the name is already taken, you have not waited 30 days since your last change, or there is a temporary problem with the Mojang servers. Try again in a few minutes. If the problem continues, check that you are logged into the correct account.