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 Minecraft Java Edition — it's separate from the game window. If you play Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Xbox, or mobile), you change your username through your Microsoft account settings instead.

For Java Edition, you'll need to be logged into the launcher with the Microsoft account that owns your game. If you haven't migrated your old Minecraft account to a Microsoft account yet, you'll need to do that first — Minecraft stopped accepting standalone accounts in 2020, and the launcher won't let you change a username on an unmigrated account.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition players change their username in the Minecraft Launcher by clicking their profile name at the top left and selecting "Change Name".
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect the next time you log in.
  • Bedrock Edition players change their username through their Microsoft account settings, not the game launcher.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to use after you change it, but your game progress and items stay with your account.

Steps to change your Java Edition username

Open the Minecraft Launcher and log in with your Microsoft account if you're not already logged in. Look at the top left corner of the launcher window — you'll see your current username displayed there. Click on your username.

A dropdown menu will appear. Select "Change Name" from the options. The launcher will open a browser window showing your Minecraft profile page. On that page, you'll see a text field with your current username. Delete the old name and type your new one. Minecraft usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Click the button to confirm the change.

The launcher will tell you whether the name is available. If someone else already has the username you want, you'll need to pick a different one. Once you've chosen an available name and confirmed it, the change is complete. You don't need to restart the launcher — the new username takes effect the next time you log into a world or server.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Minecraft enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. This means after you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The timer starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when you next log in.

If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed, the launcher will show you a message telling you when you'll be able to change it again. There's no way to skip this waiting period — it applies to every account.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one becomes available for any other player to claim. This happens when ready after you confirm the change. Your game progress, items, and achievements all stay attached to your account — they don't follow the old username. If someone else takes your old username, they're starting fresh with a new account; they won't have access to anything you built or owned.

Your friends' friend lists will update to show your new username, and any servers you're on will display your new name to other players. Old screenshots or videos you recorded will still show your old username in them, since those files don't update automatically.

Changing your username in Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition (Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or mobile) doesn't use the Minecraft Launcher. Instead, you change your username through your Microsoft account. Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Bedrock game.

Click on "Your info" or "Profile" depending on your device. Look for a section labeled "Gamertag" or "Xbox profile name" — this is what other players see in Bedrock Edition. Click "Edit" next to your gamertag and type your new name. Microsoft has different rules than Java Edition: Bedrock usernames can be longer and have different character limits depending on your platform. After you confirm the change, it takes effect when ready across all Bedrock platforms where you're signed in.

If your account hasn't migrated to Microsoft yet

If you're trying to change your username in Java Edition but the launcher won't let you, your account probably hasn't been migrated to a Microsoft account. Minecraft Java Edition requires a Microsoft account to change usernames. You can migrate your old Minecraft account through the official migration page on minecraft.net.

The migration process is free and takes a few minutes. You'll need your old Minecraft username and password, plus a Microsoft account (you can create one for free if you don't have one). After migration is complete, you'll log into the launcher with your Microsoft email and password instead of your old Minecraft username. Then you'll be able to change your username using the steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not when ready. You have to wait 30 days between changes. If someone else has claimed your old username in the meantime, you won't be able to get it back — it's theirs now. You can only reclaim it if they change their username and it becomes available again.

Will my skins and capes transfer to my new username?

Yes. Your skins, capes, and any cosmetics you've purchased stay with your account, not your username. They'll be there when you log in with your new name.

Do servers need to update anything when I change my username?

No. Servers track players by their account ID, not their username. Your character will show up with your new name automatically the next time you join, and all your progress on that server stays the same.

What if the username I want is taken?

You'll need to choose a different name. You can try adding numbers or underscores to make a variation of the name you want. There's no way to reserve a username or get on a waiting list for one.

Can I change my username on mobile Bedrock Edition?

You change your gamertag through your Microsoft account settings, which you can access from any device with a web browser. The change applies to all Bedrock platforms you're signed into, including mobile.