The quickest way to change your username

To change your Minecraft username on PC, you log into your Microsoft account on the official Minecraft Launcher, go to your account settings, and update the name there. The change takes effect when ready in the game. You can change your username once every 30 days — if you try to change it again before that window closes, the launcher will tell you when you can make the next change.

The process is the same whether you own Minecraft Java Edition or Minecraft Bedrock Edition, because both now run through a Microsoft account. If you are still using an old Mojang account (the original company before Microsoft bought it), you will need to migrate to a Microsoft account first — that is a separate one-time step that takes a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Minecraft Launcher, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select your profile to see the username change option in account settings.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the new name takes effect right away in both single-player and multiplayer worlds.
  • If you still have a Mojang account instead of a Microsoft account, you must migrate first by visiting account.microsoft.com and following the migration prompt.
  • Changing your username does not affect your worlds, skins, or progress — those stay tied to your account.
  • If the name you want is already taken, you will see an error message and must choose a different one.

Step-by-step: changing your username in the launcher

Open the Minecraft Launcher on your PC. In the top right corner, you will see your current username. Click on it to open a dropdown menu, then select "Settings" or look for an account icon (it usually looks like a person's head).

Once you are in account settings, find the field that shows your current username. Click on it to edit. Type in your new username — it must be between 3 and 16 characters, and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and special characters are not allowed. After you type the new name, click the button to save or confirm the change (the exact label varies by launcher version, but it is usually "Save" or "Change Name").

The launcher will check whether that username is already taken. If it is, you will see a message saying the name is unavailable, and you will need to try a different one. If the name is free, the change goes through when ready. You do not need to restart the game or launcher — the new name appears the next time you load a world.

If you still have a Mojang account

Mojang accounts were the original way to own Minecraft before Microsoft took over. If you created your account before 2020 and have not migrated yet, you are still using one. The Minecraft Launcher will prompt you to migrate the next time you open it, but you can also do it manually by going to account.microsoft.com in your web browser.

Click "Sign in" and choose "Create one" if you do not yet have a Microsoft account. You will be asked to use an email address — this becomes your login for the launcher going forward. Follow the prompts to link your old Mojang account to the new Microsoft account. Once that is done, your worlds, skins, and progress transfer over, and you can then change your username using the steps above.

The migration is one-time only. After you complete it, you cannot go back to using the Mojang account, so make sure you have access to the email address you are using before you start.

What happens to your worlds and progress

Changing your username does not touch your worlds, skins, inventory, or any other progress. Everything stays exactly as it was — the change is purely cosmetic and affects only the name that appears above your character in the game and in chat. Other players will see your new name the next time they log in and see you in a multiplayer world.

If you are playing on a server or in a realm, the server owner or realm operator will also see your new name. Some servers keep records of player activity by the old username, so server admins might need to update their logs or ban lists if they use username-based systems, but that is their responsibility, not yours.

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. The launcher will show you exactly when you are may be able to access to change it next — usually displayed as a countdown or a specific date.

This limit exists to prevent spam and account takeovers. If someone gains access to your account, they cannot rapidly cycle through usernames to hide their activity. It also keeps servers and communities from dealing with players who change names constantly to evade bans or confuse other players.

Troubleshooting common problems

The username field is grayed out or not editable: You may not be signed in, or you may have already changed your name within the last 30 days. Check the countdown timer in account settings to see when you are may be able to access again. If you are signed out, sign back in and try again.

The name you want says it is taken: Minecraft usernames are global and unique — only one person can have any given name. If the name is taken, you will need to choose something else. Try adding a number or underscore to make it unique. You can also check if the name belongs to an inactive account by searching for the player on the Minecraft website, though inactive accounts do eventually free up their names.

The launcher is asking you to migrate your account: This means you are still on a Mojang account. Follow the migration steps in the section above. You cannot change your username until the migration is complete.

You changed your name but it is not showing in-game: Close the launcher completely and reopen it. Sometimes the change does not display until you restart. If it still does not show after restarting, log out and log back in to your Microsoft account within the launcher.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only after 30 days have passed since you changed it. You can change your username to anything that is not taken, including a previous name. Keep in mind that if someone else claimed that old name in the meantime, you will not be able to use it.

Do I need to buy Minecraft again if I change my username?

No. Your username is separate from your account ownership. Changing your name does not affect your license or your ability to play. You own the game through your Microsoft account, not through the username.

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

Yes. In multiplayer worlds and servers, your new username will show up when ready. If your friends have you added as a friend in the launcher or on Xbox Live, they will still see you in their friends list — the friendship is tied to your account, not your username.

What if I want to change my username on a console or phone version of Minecraft?

Minecraft Bedrock Edition on console, phone, and tablet uses the same Microsoft account system, so your username is the same across all devices. Change it once in the launcher on PC, and it updates everywhere. You do not need to change it separately on each device.

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, periods, and other special characters are not allowed. The launcher will reject the name if you try to use them.