You can change your Minecraft Bedrock username once every 30 days using the Microsoft account settings tied to your game

Minecraft Bedrock (the version that runs on Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and mobile) stores your username in your Microsoft account, not in the game itself. To change it, you log into your Microsoft account online, find the profile settings, and update the name there. The change takes effect the next time you launch the game. Microsoft allows one free name change every 30 days; after that, each additional change in the same month costs money.

The process takes about five minutes and requires only a web browser and your Microsoft account password. You do not need to buy anything, restart your console, or contact support unless something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with the email and password you use for Minecraft, and find the "Your info" or profile section.
  • Look for the field labeled "Minecraft profile name" or "Gamertag" (the exact label varies by region) and type your new name.
  • The new name must be between 3 and 16 characters, use only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot match a name already in use.
  • One name change per 30 days is free; a second change within the same calendar month will cost money, so plan ahead if you want to change it again soon.
  • The change appears in-game after you close and reopen Minecraft, though it may take a few minutes to sync across all devices.

Step-by-step: changing your name through Microsoft account settings

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Click "Sign in" and enter the email address and password you use to play Minecraft Bedrock. If you use a Microsoft account (an @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or @live.com address), use that. If you signed up with a different email, use the email you provided when you created your Microsoft account.

Once you are signed in, look for a section called "Your info", "Profile", or "Account settings" — the exact name depends on your region and whether you are on a phone or computer. Click it. You should see a field for your Minecraft profile name or gamertag. Click on that field and type your new name. Do not click anything else yet.

Before you save, check that your new name follows the rules: it must be 3 to 16 characters long, use only letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_), and it cannot already belong to another player. If the name is taken, Microsoft will tell you when ready when you try to save. If it is available, click "Save" or "Confirm".

Close the browser or sign out. Launch Minecraft Bedrock on any device where you play. The new name should appear in your profile and above your character in the game world. If it does not show up right away, close the game completely and open it again. Syncing across devices can take a few minutes.

What names are allowed and what names are not

Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and the underscore symbol (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or special characters like @, #, or $. Microsoft will reject the name if it contains profanity or violates their community standards, even if you think it is harmless.

The name you choose cannot already be in use by another player. If you try to save a name that someone else has claimed, the website will show an error message and ask you to pick something different. This happens in real time, so you will know when ready whether your choice is available.

If you previously played Minecraft Java Edition (the PC version you buy separately), that game has its own username system and does not share names with Bedrock. You can have different usernames on Java and Bedrock.

Understanding the 30-day cooldown and paid name changes

Microsoft gives you one free name change every 30 days. The 30-day period resets on the calendar day you made your last change, not 30 days later. For example, if you changed your name on January 15th, your next free change is available on February 15th. If you try to change your name again before that date, Microsoft will ask you to pay.

The cost of a paid name change varies by region and can range from a few dollars to around $10 USD, though Microsoft occasionally runs promotions. You do not have to pay if you wait for the 30-day window to close. If you are not sure when your last change was, sign into your Microsoft account and look at your profile history or account activity — it will show the date of your most recent name change.

Plan your name changes carefully if you think you might want to change again soon. If you are unhappy with a new name after a few days, you have to either wait 30 days for the free change or pay to change it sooner.

Troubleshooting: what to do if the change does not work

If you changed your name on the Microsoft website but it still shows your old name in the game, try closing Minecraft completely and opening it again. Sometimes the game needs to sync with Microsoft's servers, which can take a few minutes. If you are playing on multiple devices (phone, console, PC), the name may appear on one device before the others.

If the error message says your new name is already taken, someone else has claimed it. Go back to the Microsoft account page and choose a different name. If the error says your name violates community standards, Microsoft has flagged it as inappropriate. Try a different combination of letters and numbers.

If you cannot sign into your Microsoft account, make sure you are using the correct email address and password. If you forgot your password, click "Can't access your account?" on the Microsoft sign-in page and follow the recovery steps. You will need access to the email address or phone number linked to your account.

If you changed your name more than 30 days ago and the website still says you cannot make a free change, sign out completely, clear your browser cache, and sign back in. Sometimes the page does not refresh properly. If the problem persists, contact Microsoft Support through the account.microsoft.com help section.

Why your username matters in Bedrock multiplayer

Your username is how other players see you in multiplayer worlds and servers. When you join a realm (a persistent world you can share with friends) or a public server, your username appears above your character and in the chat. If you change your name, you will appear with the new name to everyone else, but your old name will no longer be reserved for you after 30 days.

Friends who have you added will still see you in their friends list after you change your name, so you do not have to re-add each other. However, if someone tries to search for your old username, they will not find you. Make sure to tell your friends if you change your name so they know it is still you.

Your username is separate from your Microsoft account email. Changing your username does not change the email you use to sign in, and it does not affect your game progress, achievements, or inventory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on console without going to a website?

No. Minecraft Bedrock usernames are managed through your Microsoft account online, not through the game or console settings. You must use a web browser to go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and change your profile name there. The change will then appear in the game on your console.

What happens to my old username after I change it?

Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days. During those 30 days, no one else can use it. After 30 days, the name is released into the pool of available usernames. Your game progress and inventory stay with your Microsoft account, not with the old username.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it. If you changed your name and then want to switch back within 30 days, you can change it again for free (since you still have your one free change per month). If more than 30 days have passed and someone else took your old name, you cannot use it unless they abandon it.

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 your account security. Your password is what you use to sign into your Microsoft account; your username is what other players see in the game.

Will changing my username affect my Minecraft Java Edition account?

No. Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock are separate games with separate username systems. You can have different usernames on each version. Changing your Bedrock username does not change your Java username, and vice versa.