Where to change your username

You change your Minecraft username through the official Minecraft website using your Microsoft account. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with the email and password you use for Minecraft, and look for the profile or account settings section. The username change option is usually labeled "Change your Minecraft name" or "Edit profile".

You cannot change your username inside the game itself — the game will show your current name, but the actual change happens only on Microsoft's website. This is true whether you play on Windows, Mac, Linux, or through the Minecraft Launcher.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username on account.microsoft.com, not in the game or through the Minecraft Launcher.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all servers and worlds.
  • Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 37 days, so if you want it back, you must reclaim it within that window.
  • Changing your username does not affect your worlds, skins, or game progress — those stay tied to your Microsoft account.

Step-by-step process

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Click "Sign in" and enter the email address and password for your Microsoft account. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to complete that step as well.

Once you are signed in, look for a section called "Your info", "Profile", or "Account settings" — the exact label varies depending on which version of the Microsoft account page you see. Find the option that says "Change your Minecraft name" or "Edit profile". Click it, type your new username in the text box, and click "Change name" or "Save". The change happens when ready.

Your new username will show up the next time you launch Minecraft and log in. If you are already in a game, you may need to restart the game for the change to appear to other players.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Microsoft enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. This means once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 30 days. If you try to change it before that period is up, the website will show you a countdown timer telling you when you can change it next.

The 30-day timer starts from the moment you successfully change your name, not from when you attempt the change. If you change your name on January 15, you can change it again on February 14 or later.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old name does not disappear when ready. Other players can still see it in chat history and in old screenshots, but they cannot send you messages using that old name. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 37 days.

If you want to reclaim your old username, you have a 37-day window to change your name back to it. After 37 days, someone else can take that name, and you will no longer be able to use it. If this happens, you would need to choose a different name.

How the change affects your game

Changing your username does not affect your worlds, skins, achievements, or inventory. Everything you own in the game stays with your Microsoft account. Your single-player worlds, multiplayer servers, and Realms subscriptions all remain the same.

On multiplayer servers, your new username will show up when ready to other players. Servers that keep logs of player activity will show both your old and new names tied to the same account, so server admins can see the history. Your player UUID — a unique identifier that the game uses behind the scenes — never changes, so servers always know it is you.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you cannot find the username change option on account.microsoft.com, make sure you are signed in to the correct Microsoft account. Some accounts do not have Minecraft linked to them. Check that the email address you are using is the same one you use to launch Minecraft.

If the website says your desired username is unavailable, someone else already has it or it is reserved by Minecraft. Try a different name. If you see an error message when you try to change your name, wait a few minutes and try again — temporary server issues sometimes block the change temporarily.

If your new username does not show up in the game after you change it, restart the Minecraft Launcher completely. Close it entirely, wait 10 seconds, and open it again. Sign in again and launch the game. The new name should appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on mobile or console?

No. You must change your username on account.microsoft.com using a computer or tablet with a web browser. Minecraft on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, or mobile devices does not have a username change option in the game itself.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends list does not change, and they will see your new username the next time they log in. If they have you added as a friend, the friendship stays active regardless of your username.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password?

Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account?" Follow the steps to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. Microsoft will walk you through resetting your password before you can sign in and change your username.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Minecraft usernames can only contain letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, and special characters are not allowed. If you try to use them, the website will reject the name and ask you to choose a different one.

Do I lose my Minecraft account if I change my username?

No. Your account, progress, and everything tied to it stays the same. Changing your username is just changing the name that displays — your Microsoft account and all your game data remain unchanged.