Where to change your username

You change your Minecraft username through the official Minecraft Launcher, not through the game itself. The launcher is the program you open first when you want to play — it's where you log in with your Microsoft account and select which version of Minecraft to start.

If you play Java Edition (the original version for PC), you'll go to the Minecraft Launcher. If you play Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Windows 11, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile), the process is slightly different but still happens through your Microsoft account settings, not in-game.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition players change their username in the Minecraft Launcher under the Skins section, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Bedrock Edition players change their username through their Microsoft account settings online, not through the launcher.
  • You can change your Java Edition username once every 30 days; Bedrock Edition has no cooldown between changes.
  • Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days of not being used.
  • Changing your username does not affect your game progress, worlds, or items — those stay tied to your account.

Changing your username in Java Edition

Open the Minecraft Launcher and log in with your Microsoft account. Click the "Skins" button on the left side of the launcher window. At the top of the Skins panel, you'll see your current username displayed. Click on the username itself (not the skin image below it).

A text field will appear where you can type your new username. Minecraft usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Once you type the new name, click the checkmark or press Enter. The change takes effect when ready, and you can start playing with your new username right away.

If the username you want is already taken, the launcher will tell you so and won't let you save the change. You'll need to pick a different name. Keep in mind that you can only change your Java Edition username once every 30 days, so choose carefully.

Changing your username in Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition usernames are tied to your Microsoft account, so you change them online rather than in the game. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the Microsoft account you use for Bedrock Edition.

Click your profile picture or name in the top right corner and select "View profile" or "Manage your Microsoft account." Look for a section called "Your info" or "Profile." Find the field labeled "Gamertag" or "Username" — this is what other players see in Bedrock Edition. Click "Edit" next to it, type your new name, and save the change. It can take a few minutes to show up in the game.

Bedrock Edition has no cooldown between username changes, so you can change it as often as you want. However, the same character limits explore: 3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only (no underscores in Bedrock).

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one doesn't disappear when ready. It stays reserved under your account for 30 days. During that time, no one else can claim it, and if you change your mind, you can change back to it without waiting for the 30-day cooldown.

After 30 days of not using that username, it becomes available for anyone else to claim. This means someone could take your old name and use it on a new account. Your game progress, worlds, and items all stay tied to your account and your new username — they don't follow the old name.

Why your progress stays with your account, not your username

Minecraft stores your worlds, items, and achievements under your account (your Microsoft login), not under your username. Think of your username as a nickname you can change anytime — your account is the actual identity that holds everything you've built and earned.

This is why changing your username is safe: your Survival world, your Nether portal, your enchanted tools, and your achievements all come with you to your new username. Friends who had you added before the change will still see your new username in their friends list.

If someone else took your old username

If you waited longer than 30 days to change back to an old username and someone else claimed it, you cannot get it back. Minecraft does not transfer or reclaim usernames from other accounts. Your only option is to pick a different name.

To avoid this, change back to your old username within 30 days if you think you might want it again. After that window closes, the name is gone for good.

Troubleshooting common problems

The launcher won't let me change my username: Make sure you're logged into your Microsoft account in the launcher. If you're logged in but still can't change it, check whether you've already changed your username in the last 30 days. Java Edition enforces a 30-day wait between changes. If you're trying to use a name that's already taken, pick a different one.

I changed my username but it's not showing up in the game: For Java Edition, restart the launcher and the game. For Bedrock Edition, sign out of your Microsoft account in the game settings and sign back in. Changes can take a few minutes to sync across Microsoft's servers.

I want to change back to my old username but it says it's taken: If fewer than 30 days have passed since you changed away from it, wait a bit longer — the system may not have fully released it yet. If more than 30 days have passed, someone else has claimed it and you cannot get it back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on mobile or console?

If you play Bedrock Edition on mobile, Nintendo Switch, or Xbox, you change your username through your Microsoft account online at account.microsoft.com, the same way as Windows Bedrock players. You cannot change it directly in the game on any platform.

Do my friends see my new username right away?

For Java Edition, yes — the change is when ready. For Bedrock Edition, it can take a few minutes for the change to sync. Your friends' friend lists will update automatically once the change goes through.

What if the username I want has a space or special character in it?

Minecraft usernames can only contain letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other symbols are not allowed. You'll need to pick a name using only those three character types.

Can I have the same username on Java and Bedrock?

Yes, you can use the same name on both versions if it's available. They're separate systems, so you change them independently. If you want the same username on both, change one, then change the other to match.