Where to change your Bedrock username

In Minecraft Bedrock Edition, your username is tied to your Microsoft account, not to the game itself. This means you change it through Microsoft's account settings, not through the Minecraft launcher. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you play on Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or mobile.

Your Microsoft account username is what appears above your character's head in the game and what other players see when you join their world. Changing it here changes it everywhere you play Bedrock Edition across all devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Bedrock usernames are controlled by your Microsoft account, so you log into account.microsoft.com to change yours, not the Minecraft launcher.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all devices where you play Bedrock.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to use after you change it, so choose carefully if you want to keep it reserved.
  • If you play on console (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch), your console's account name stays the same — only your Minecraft username changes.

Step-by-step: changing your username on a computer

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account you use for Minecraft. If you are not sure which account that is, open Minecraft Bedrock, look at the top right corner, and you will see your current username — that is the account you need to log into.

Once you are signed in, look for Your info on the left side of the page. Click it. You will see your account name displayed near the top. Click the blue Edit name button next to it. A box will appear asking for a new username. Type the name you want — it can be 3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only, no spaces or special characters. Click Next, then Save. The change takes effect when ready.

If you see a message saying you cannot change your username yet, you changed it within the last 30 days. Microsoft enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes. The page will tell you when you can change it again.

Changing your username on Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch

You cannot change your Minecraft username directly from a console. Instead, use a computer or phone to visit account.microsoft.com, sign in, and follow the steps above. The change will sync to your console the next time you launch Minecraft and connect to the internet.

Do not change your console's account name — that is separate from your Minecraft username. Your Xbox gamertag, PlayStation Network name, or Nintendo Switch profile name can stay the same. Only your Minecraft username changes.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, your old one becomes available for any other player to claim. If you want to keep that name reserved, do not change it. There is no way to hold a username you are no longer using or to reclaim it later if someone else takes it.

Any worlds, skins, or achievements you earned stay with your account. Other players will see your new username in their worlds and in multiplayer games, but your progress does not disappear.

Troubleshooting: username change did not work

If you changed your username but it still shows the old name in Minecraft, sign out of the game completely and sign back in. Close the Minecraft launcher entirely, wait 10 seconds, and reopen it. This forces the game to refresh your account information from Microsoft's servers.

If the old name still appears after signing out and back in, restart your device. On console, fully close Minecraft (not just pause it), power off the console, wait 30 seconds, and power it back on. On mobile, swipe the app closed from your recent apps and reopen it.

If you see an error message when trying to change your name, check that your username contains only letters and numbers — no spaces, hyphens, underscores, or other characters. Microsoft's system rejects anything else. Also verify that the name is not already taken by another player.

Username rules and restrictions

Your Minecraft Bedrock username must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can contain only letters (a–z, A–Z) and numbers (0–9). Spaces, hyphens, underscores, and special characters are not allowed. If you try to use any of these, Microsoft will reject the name and ask you to try again.

Some usernames are reserved by Microsoft and cannot be claimed — these include offensive words, names of Microsoft employees, and names tied to Microsoft products. If you try to use a reserved name, you will see an error message. Pick a different name and try again.

Your username is public and visible to everyone who plays with you. Choose something you are comfortable with other players seeing. You can change it again after 30 days if you want something different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes, but only once every 30 days. Microsoft enforces this limit to prevent abuse. If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed since your last change, the website will show you the date when you can change it again.

Does changing my Minecraft username affect my Microsoft account name?

No. Your Microsoft account name and your Minecraft username are separate. Changing one does not change the other. Your email address for the account stays the same no matter what you do.

What if someone took my old username after I changed mine?

Once you change your username, your old one is available for anyone to claim. If another player took it, you cannot get it back. Microsoft does not reserve old usernames. If you want to keep a name, do not change it.

Will my friends still see my worlds after I change my username?

Yes. Your worlds, achievements, and game progress are tied to your account, not your username. Your friends will see your new username, but they can still access any worlds you shared with them before the change.

Do I need to change my username on each device separately?

No. Change it once on account.microsoft.com, and it updates across all devices where you play Bedrock Edition. You may need to sign out and back into the game on each device for it to show the new name when ready.