Where to change your Bedrock username

Your Bedrock username lives in your Microsoft account, not in the game itself. You change it through the Microsoft account website, then the change shows up in Minecraft within a few minutes. You cannot change it inside the game launcher or the Minecraft app.

The process is the same whether you play on Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or mobile — because Bedrock ties everything to your Microsoft account. Once you change it there, it updates everywhere you play.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Bedrock username is stored in your Microsoft account, not in Minecraft itself, so you change it on the Microsoft website.
  • You need to sign in to account.microsoft.com, go to your profile settings, and change the name under "Gamertag".
  • The change takes effect when ready in Minecraft, though it may take a few minutes to show up across all devices.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the new name must be between 3 and 15 characters with no spaces.
  • If someone else already has the name you want, you will see an error and need to pick a different one.

Step-by-step: changing your gamertag on Microsoft

Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with the Microsoft account you use for Minecraft. Once you are logged in, look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner and click it.

Select View profile or My profile from the menu that appears. On your profile page, find the section labeled Gamertag — this is your Bedrock username. Click the pencil icon or Edit button next to it.

Type your new username into the field. It must be 3 to 15 characters long, can include letters and numbers, but cannot have spaces or special characters. Click Check availability to see if the name is already taken. If it is available, click Save.

Microsoft will ask you to confirm the change. Once you do, the new gamertag is live. Open Minecraft on any device where you are signed into that Microsoft account, and you will see the new name in the game.

What happens to your old username

Your old username becomes available for someone else to use after you change it. If you change your mind within a few minutes, you can change it back to your previous name before anyone else claims it — but once someone else takes it, you cannot get it back.

Your game worlds, achievements, and inventory stay with your Microsoft account no matter what username you use. Changing your name does not erase your progress or affect your worlds.

The 30-day waiting period

After you change your username, you have to wait 30 days before you can change it again. This is a Microsoft rule that applies to all Bedrock players. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next.

If you made a typo or chose a name you do not like, you are stuck with it for a month. Plan your username carefully before you save the change.

Troubleshooting: name not available or error messages

If you see "This gamertag is not available," someone else already has that name. Try adding a number to the end, or pick a different name entirely. You can check availability as many times as you want before you save.

If you see an error about special characters or length, your name is either too short (fewer than 3 characters), too long (more than 15 characters), or contains a space or symbol that is not allowed. Numbers and letters only — no underscores, hyphens, or other marks.

If the change does not show up in Minecraft after 10 minutes, sign out of the game completely and sign back in. If you are on console, restart the app. On PC, close Minecraft and reopen it. The new name should appear after you log back in.

The difference between username and gamertag

In Microsoft accounts, gamertag is the name that shows up in Minecraft and other games. Your email address is separate — it is what you use to sign in, but other players do not see it. If you want to change your email address, that is a different process on the Microsoft account page, under Email & accounts.

Some older Minecraft accounts (Java Edition) have a separate username system, but Bedrock uses only the gamertag. If you play both Java and Bedrock, they can have different names.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username if I have not played in months?

Yes. As long as your Microsoft account is active and you can sign in, you can change your gamertag. You do not need to have played recently or own any worlds.

What if I forgot my Microsoft password?

Go to account.microsoft.com and click Sign in. Select Can't access your account and follow the steps to reset your password using your recovery email or phone number. Once you reset it, you can sign in and change your gamertag.

Does changing my username affect my friends list?

No. Your friends will still see you on their friends list, and the name will update automatically. They do not have to do anything on their end.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Bedrock usernames can only contain letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). Spaces, hyphens, underscores, and other symbols are not allowed. If you try to use one, you will see an error message.

What if someone else took my old username right after I changed it?

Once someone else claims a name, you cannot get it back. You would have to wait for them to change their name or stop using the account, which could take years or never happen. Choose your new username carefully before you save it.