Where to change your username

You change your Minecraft username through your Microsoft account settings, not through the Minecraft launcher or game itself. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Minecraft profile, and look for the "Your info" section. From there, you can edit your display name, which is what appears in-game and to other players.

The display name is different from your Microsoft account email address. Your email stays the same — only the name that shows up in Minecraft changes. This means you keep the same login credentials but appear under a new name when you play.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Minecraft username by editing your Microsoft account display name at account.microsoft.com, not in the game itself.
  • The change takes effect when ready in Minecraft Java Edition, but can take up to 24 hours to show in Minecraft Bedrock Edition.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and old names become available for other players to claim after 30 days of non-use.
  • Your email address and login password do not change — only the name visible to other players is updated.
  • If you own Minecraft Java Edition separately from Game Pass, you may have a different username system that requires a separate Mojang account change.

Step-by-step process on Microsoft account

Start by opening a web browser and going to account.microsoft.com. Click "Sign in" and enter the email address and password for the Microsoft account connected to your Minecraft profile. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will need to complete that step as well.

Once you are signed in, look for "Your info" in the left menu or at the top of the page. Click on it, then find the section labeled "Manage your Microsoft account" or "Edit profile." You should see a field for your display name — this is what other players see in Minecraft. Click "Edit name" or the pencil icon next to your current name. Type your new username in the text box, then click "Save" or "Next."

Microsoft will ask you to confirm the change. Review the new name and click the confirmation button. The system may ask you to re-enter your password for security. Once confirmed, your new username is active when ready in Minecraft Java Edition. If you play Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch), the change may take up to 24 hours to appear.

Timing and frequency limits

You can change your Minecraft username once every 30 days. If you change it today, you cannot change it again for 30 days from that date. This limit exists to prevent spam and confusion in multiplayer games.

When you change your username, your old name does not disappear when ready. Other players cannot use it for 30 days. After 30 days of non-use, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim. This means if you had a name you liked and changed it, you cannot reclaim that old name right away — you would have to wait for the 30-day window to pass and hope no one else takes it.

Differences between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition

Minecraft Java Edition and Minecraft Bedrock Edition use the same Microsoft account system for usernames, but the timing of changes differs. Java Edition updates your username when ready — as soon as you save the change on Microsoft's website, you will see the new name the next time you launch the game. Bedrock Edition (Windows 10, Xbox One, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile) can take up to 24 hours to sync the change across all devices.

If you own Minecraft Java Edition as a standalone purchase from before Microsoft bought Mojang, you may have an older Mojang account instead of a Microsoft account. In that case, you would change your username through a different process. Check your launcher — if it says "Microsoft account" at the top, you use the Microsoft process described above. If it says "Mojang account," you need to migrate to a Microsoft account first, which is a separate step.

What happens to your old username

Your old username does not vanish from the game world. Any buildings you created, items you placed, or progress you made stays attached to your account. Other players will see your new name, but your inventory, achievements, and world data remain yours. Servers and worlds you own or have access to will still recognize you — the change is purely cosmetic to other players.

If you had a skin (character appearance) associated with your old username, it stays with your account. Your skin does not reset when you change your name. However, if other players had your old username saved in their friends list or noted it down, they will see the new name the next time they check.

Troubleshooting if the change does not appear

If you changed your username but it is not showing up in Minecraft, first try closing the launcher completely and opening it again. Sometimes the game needs to refresh its connection to your Microsoft account. Wait a few seconds after signing in before launching the game.

If you are playing Bedrock Edition, wait up to 24 hours — the change may straightforward not have synced yet. Check your Microsoft account settings again to confirm the change was actually saved. If the new name is showing on account.microsoft.com but not in the game after 24 hours, try signing out of the game, restarting your device, and signing back in.

If you see an error message saying you cannot change your username, check whether 30 days have passed since your last change. The system will not let you change it again until that window closes. You can see when your next change is available by looking at your account settings — it usually displays the date.

Changing your username on different devices

The username change happens on your Microsoft account, so it applies across all devices where you play Minecraft with that account. If you play on Windows PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile all with the same Microsoft account, the new username will appear on all of them (though Bedrock Edition devices may take up to 24 hours).

If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, each one has its own username. Changing the username on one account does not affect the others. Make sure you are signed into the correct Microsoft account before making the change, especially if you share a device with other players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one right away?

No. Your old username is locked for 30 days after you change it. After 30 days, it becomes available for anyone to claim. If no one has taken it, you can change your current username to your old one, but you would have to wait the 30 days first.

Does changing my username affect my Minecraft worlds or progress?

No. Your worlds, inventory, achievements, and all game progress stay with your account. Only the name that appears to other players changes. Single-player worlds are unaffected, and multiplayer servers will still recognize you as the same player.

What if I own Minecraft Java Edition but have not migrated to a Microsoft account?

You will need to migrate your Mojang account to a Microsoft account first. This is a free process through the Minecraft launcher. Once migrated, you can change your username through Microsoft account settings. Mojang no longer supports username changes through the old system.

How long does it take for my new username to show up in Minecraft?

Java Edition shows the change when ready after you restart the launcher. Bedrock Edition can take up to 24 hours to sync the change across all devices. If it has been more than 24 hours and you still do not see it, try signing out and back in.

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. You are limited to one username change every 30 days. The system counts from the date of your last change, not from the calendar month. If you changed your name on March 15, you cannot change it again until April 15.