Where to change your username

You change your Minecraft username through the official Minecraft Launcher, not through the game itself. The launcher is the program you use to start the game — it's where you log in with your Microsoft account. If you play Java Edition on Windows, Mac, or Linux, or Bedrock Edition on Windows, you'll use this same launcher.

The username you see in-game is tied to your Microsoft account. When you change it in the launcher settings, that change shows up everywhere you play Minecraft under that account.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username in the Minecraft Launcher under your account settings, not in the game itself.
  • The change takes effect when ready in single-player worlds and on servers, though other players may see the old name briefly if they're already in a world with you.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days — if you've changed it recently, you'll see a countdown timer telling you when you can change it again.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after 37 days, so if you want to keep it reserved, you'll need to change back before then.
  • Changing your username does not affect your worlds, achievements, or anything else tied to your account — only the name other players see.

The step-by-step process

Open the Minecraft Launcher and sign in with your Microsoft account if you're not already signed in. Look for your account name or profile icon in the top right corner of the launcher window, then click it. A dropdown menu will appear with options including "Skins" and "Account Settings" — click "Account Settings."

On the Account Settings page, you'll see your current username displayed prominently. Next to it is a button that says "Change" or "Change Name" depending on your launcher version. Click that button. Type your new username into the text field that appears. Minecraft usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores — no spaces or special characters.

After you type the new name, the launcher will check whether it's available. If another player has already claimed it, you'll see a message saying the name is taken. If it's available, you'll see a confirmation button. Click it, and your username changes when ready. You don't need to restart the game or the launcher.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, your old one doesn't disappear right away. It stays reserved under your account for 37 days. During that time, no other player can claim it. If you change your mind within those 37 days, you can change back to your old username without it counting against your 30-day cooldown — changing back is treated as a special case.

After 37 days, your old username becomes available for any other player to claim. If you want to keep it, you need to change back before that window closes. Once another player claims it, you cannot get it back.

The 30-day cooldown between changes

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you've already changed it recently, the launcher will show you a timer counting down to when you can change it again. This cooldown applies to all changes except changing back to your previous username within the 37-day window — that doesn't count against the timer.

The 30-day period is measured from the date of your last change, not from a calendar month. If you changed your username on March 15th, you can change it again on April 14th.

How the change affects your game

Your username change takes effect when ready in single-player worlds. If you open a world you've been playing in, you'll see your new name in the player list and on any name tags above your character.

On multiplayer servers, the change also takes effect right away on your end. Other players in the server will see your new username, though there may be a brief delay of a few seconds before their game updates to show the new name. If you're in the middle of playing when you change your username, you might see your old name in chat for a moment before it refreshes.

Your change does not affect your worlds, your inventory, your achievements, or any progress tied to your account. Everything you've built and earned stays with you — only the name changes.

Troubleshooting if the change doesn't work

If you click the "Change" button and nothing happens, or if you see an error message, first check that you're signed into the launcher with the correct Microsoft account. You can only change the username for the account you're currently signed in as.

If the launcher says your chosen username is unavailable but you're sure it should be free, wait a few minutes and try again. Sometimes the availability check takes a moment to update. If the problem persists, sign out of the launcher completely, close it, and sign back in — this refreshes your session and often clears up temporary glitches.

If you see a message saying you've already changed your username recently, check the timer on the Account Settings page. It will tell you the exact date you can change again. You cannot bypass this cooldown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on mobile or console?

No. Minecraft on mobile devices (iOS and Android) and on consoles (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox) does not have a username change feature in-game. You must use the Minecraft Launcher on a computer to change your username. The change will then appear on all platforms where you play under that account.

What if someone else claims my old username before I change back?

Once another player claims your old username, you cannot get it back. This is why the 37-day window exists — if you think you might want to reclaim your old name, change back within that time. After 37 days, it's gone permanently.

Do my friends need to do anything after I change my username?

No. Your friends will see your new username automatically the next time they log in or the next time they see you in a world or on a server. They don't need to update anything on their end. If they have you added as a friend, that friendship stays intact — it's tied to your account, not your username.

Will changing my username affect my Minecraft Realms world?

No. Your Realms world stays with your account regardless of what username you use. Other players invited to your Realm will see your new username, but the world itself and everyone's progress in it remain unchanged.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Minecraft usernames can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other special characters are not allowed. The launcher will reject any username that contains them.