Where to Change Your Username

You change your Minecraft username through the official Minecraft Launcher, not through the game itself or any third-party website. The launcher is the program you use to start the game — it's what appears when you first open Minecraft on your computer.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you play Java Edition or Bedrock Edition. Java Edition (the original version for PC) lets you change your username once every 30 days through your Microsoft account settings. Bedrock Edition (the newer cross-platform version) uses a gamertag system tied to your Xbox account, which works differently.

You cannot change your username in-game or through the Minecraft website directly. You must go through either the Minecraft Launcher (for Java) or your Xbox account (for Bedrock).

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition username changes happen in your Microsoft account settings, and you can change once every 30 days.
  • Bedrock Edition uses your Xbox gamertag, which you change through Xbox account settings, not Minecraft settings.
  • You need to be signed into your Microsoft or Xbox account to make the change.
  • After you change your username, it takes a few minutes to update across Minecraft servers and the launcher.
  • Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a grace period of 30 days.

Changing Your Username in Java Edition

Open the Minecraft Launcher and sign in with your Microsoft account if you are not already signed in. Look for your username or profile name displayed at the top of the launcher window — this is what other players see when you join servers.

Click on your profile name or the settings icon next to it. This opens your account menu. Select "Microsoft Account" or "Account Settings" — the exact wording depends on your launcher version. You will be taken to the Microsoft account website in your browser.

On the Microsoft website, navigate to your profile or account settings. Look for a section labeled "Minecraft Profile" or "Change Username." Click the option to change your username. Enter your new username in the text field. Minecraft usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores.

After you submit the change, return to the Minecraft Launcher. Your new username should appear within a few minutes. If it still shows your old name, close the launcher completely and open it again.

Changing Your Gamertag in Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition does not have a separate Minecraft username system. Instead, it uses your Xbox gamertag, which is your account name across all Xbox services. To change what other players see in Bedrock, you change your Xbox gamertag.

Go to the Xbox website (xbox.com) or open the Xbox app on your computer. Sign in with your Microsoft account. Navigate to your profile by clicking your account icon. Select "Customize Profile" or "Edit Profile."

Look for the "Gamertag" section. Click "Change Gamertag." Enter your new gamertag and confirm the change. Xbox charges a small fee for gamertag changes (the amount varies by region), though your first change may be free depending on your account age. After you confirm, the change takes effect when ready in Bedrock Edition.

What Happens to Your Old Username

When you change your Java Edition username, your old name does not disappear right away. For 30 days, no one else can claim it — it remains reserved under your account. After 30 days, the name becomes available for any other player to use.

During that 30-day window, you can change back to your old username if you change your mind, and it will not count against your 30-day change limit. After 30 days have passed, changing back to your old username counts as a regular change and resets your 30-day timer.

For Bedrock Edition, your old gamertag follows the same rule: it is reserved for 30 days, then becomes available to others.

Troubleshooting Username Changes That Do Not Appear

If you changed your username but the launcher still shows your old name, close the launcher completely. Do not just minimize it — right-click the launcher in your taskbar and select "Close" or "Quit." Wait 10 seconds, then reopen it and sign in again.

If the old name persists after restarting, clear your launcher cache. On Windows, navigate to your user folder, then to AppData > Roaming > .minecraft. On Mac, go to Library > process Support > minecraft. Look for a folder called "launcher_cache" or "launcher_profiles" and delete it. Reopen the launcher — it will rebuild these files automatically.

If you are playing on a server and your old username still appears to other players, the server may not have updated its player list yet. This usually resolves within a few minutes. If it persists for more than an hour, the server administrator may need to restart the server or clear the player cache manually.

Limits on How Often You Can Change

Java Edition enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you changed your username today, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The timer starts from the date you made the change, not from a calendar month.

Bedrock Edition (Xbox gamertag changes) does not have a built-in waiting period in the same way, but Xbox may limit how frequently you can change your gamertag if you change it repeatedly in a short time. This is a safety measure to prevent account abuse.

If you need to change your username before the 30-day window closes in Java Edition, you cannot do so through the normal process. Contact Minecraft Support through the official website if you have a security concern (such as a compromised account) that requires an when ready change.

Why Your Username Matters

Your username is how other players identify you on multiplayer servers and in the Minecraft community. When you join a server, your username appears above your character's head and in the chat. Changing it does not affect your game progress, inventory, or any structures you have built — those are tied to your account, not your username.

On servers that use whitelists (lists of players allowed to join), your old username may still be on the whitelist after you change. You or the server administrator will need to update the whitelist to use your new username, or you will not be able to join that server.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes, but in Java Edition you must wait 30 days between changes. Bedrock Edition does not have the same restriction, though Xbox may limit rapid changes for security reasons. You can change back to your old username within 30 days without using up your next change.

Will changing my username delete my worlds or progress?

No. Your game progress, inventory, and all saved worlds are tied to your account, not your username. Changing your name does not affect any of that. Other players on servers may not recognize you by your old name, but your data remains intact.

What if someone else takes my old username after 30 days?

Once the 30-day grace period ends, your old username becomes available to any player. If someone claims it, you cannot get it back unless you contact Minecraft Support with proof that it was originally yours. In practice, this is difficult to prove and rarely succeeds.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your username and password are separate. Changing your username does not affect your password or account security. Your password remains the same, and you continue to sign in with your Microsoft or Xbox account credentials.

How long does it take for the username change to show up everywhere?

The change appears in the Minecraft Launcher within a few minutes. On multiplayer servers, it may take a few more minutes for the server to recognize the new name. If you are already logged into a server when you change your username, you may need to log out and log back in for the server to register the change.