Where to change your username in Minecraft Bedrock

Your Minecraft Bedrock username lives in your Microsoft account, not in the game itself. You change it through the Microsoft account website, and the change takes effect the next time you sign in to any Bedrock Edition game — whether that's on Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, or mobile.

The process is straightforward: sign into your Microsoft account online, go to your profile settings, find the Xbox profile or gamertag section, and edit your display name there. The name you set becomes your in-game username across all Bedrock platforms you own.

This is different from Java Edition, which uses a separate Minecraft launcher. Bedrock Edition ties directly to your Microsoft account, so changing your Microsoft display name is the only way to change your Bedrock username.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your Minecraft Bedrock username through your Microsoft account settings online, not through the game itself.
  • Your new username appears in all Bedrock Edition games on all platforms — Windows, console, and mobile — after you sign out and back in.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days; attempting to change it again within that window will be blocked.
  • Other players see your new username when ready in multiplayer worlds and servers, but your old username may appear in chat history or old screenshots.

Step-by-step: changing your username on the Microsoft website

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Minecraft Bedrock game. Once you are logged in, look for "Your info" or "Account" in the left menu, then select "Manage your Microsoft account."

Find the section labeled "Xbox profile" or "Gamertag" — the exact wording varies depending on your region and account type. Click "Edit" or "Change" next to your current display name. Type your new username into the text field. Microsoft will check whether the name is available; if it is taken, you will see a message and need to choose a different one.

After you confirm the change, sign out of Minecraft Bedrock completely on all devices where you play. Then sign back in. Your new username will appear the next time you load the game or join a world.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Microsoft enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. If you change your username today, you cannot change it again for 30 days from that date. If you try to change it before the 30 days are up, the website will show you a message saying when you can change it next.

This limit exists to prevent spam and account abuse. There is no way to bypass it or change it sooner, even if you contact Microsoft support. Plan your username change carefully if you are unsure about the name you want.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after a short period. You cannot reclaim it yourself unless you wait for it to cycle back into the available pool, which can take weeks or months.

In multiplayer worlds and servers, other players will see your new username when ready. However, old chat messages, screenshots, and world data may still show your previous username — the game does not retroactively update those records. Friends who had you added under your old name will still see you in their friends list, but your profile will display your new name.

Changing your username on console or mobile

You cannot change your username directly from the game on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or mobile devices. You must use the Microsoft account website on a computer or phone browser. After you make the change online, sign out of Minecraft on your console or mobile device, then sign back in. Your new username will appear within a few minutes.

If you are on Xbox, you can also change your gamertag through the Xbox console settings menu itself — go to Settings, Account, Personalization, and Gamertag. Any change you make there will sync to your Minecraft Bedrock username as well.

Troubleshooting: username change is not showing up

If you changed your username on the Microsoft website but it is not appearing in your game, try signing out completely and signing back in. Close the game entirely, not just the world — a straightforward world reload will not refresh your username.

If the change still does not appear after signing out and back in, check that you are signed into the correct Microsoft account. Some players have multiple accounts linked to their device. Go to Settings in Minecraft Bedrock and verify which account is currently active. If you are on the wrong account, sign out and select the correct one.

On console, you may need to restart the entire system, not just the game. Power off your Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then launch Minecraft again.

Choosing a username that will not need to change again

Since you can only change your username once every 30 days, think about what name you want before you make the change. Avoid usernames with numbers or special characters that you might regret later — they are harder to remember and share with friends.

Check whether the name you want is already taken before you commit to it. You can do this by attempting to change to that name on the Microsoft website; if it is unavailable, you will see a message when ready. This does not count as a change attempt, so you can test multiple names without triggering the 30-day cooldown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username affect my worlds or inventory?

No. Your worlds, inventory, achievements, and all game progress stay exactly the same. Only your display name changes. Other players in your worlds will see your new username, but everything you have built and collected remains yours.

Can I change my username if I play on multiple platforms?

Yes. Since your username is tied to your Microsoft account, changing it once changes it everywhere — Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile all use the same username. You do not need to change it separately on each platform.

What if someone else took the username I want?

You will need to choose a different name. Usernames are first-come, first-served. If the name you want is taken, the Microsoft website will tell you when ready when you try to change to it. You can try adding numbers or underscores to make a variation of the name you want.

Will my friends still see me if I change my username?

Yes. Friends who added you under your old username will still see you in their friends list after you change your name. Your profile will display your new username, but the friendship connection does not break.

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Microsoft enforces a strict 30-day cooldown between changes. You cannot change your username again until 30 days have passed since your last change, and there is no way to bypass this limit.