Where to change your username

You change your Minecraft username through the official Minecraft launcher on your computer, not through the game itself. The launcher is the program you open before the game starts — it shows your profile picture and username at the top left. If you play on a console like PlayStation or Xbox, you change your username through that console's account settings instead, and the change shows up in Minecraft automatically.

For Java Edition on Windows, Mac, or Linux, open the launcher and look for your username in the top left corner. Click on it to open a dropdown menu. You'll see an option to change your profile name. For Bedrock Edition on Windows 10 or 11, the process is similar — your username appears in the launcher, and clicking it gives you the option to edit.

If you play through the Microsoft Store or Game Pass, your Minecraft username is tied to your Microsoft account. You can change it through the launcher, but the change may take a few minutes to show up in-game.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Minecraft launcher on your computer and click your username in the top left corner to find the change option.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready in the launcher but may take a few minutes to show up in multiplayer servers and other players' friend lists.
  • Console players (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) change their username through the console's account settings, not through Minecraft itself.
  • You can change your username as often as you want, but some servers may have cooldown periods between changes.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to use after you change it.

Step-by-step for Java Edition

Start by opening the Minecraft launcher. If you don't have it installed, read it from minecraft.net. Once the launcher is open, look at the top left corner where your current username and profile picture appear.

Click directly on your username. A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Select "Change Profile Name" or "Edit Profile" depending on your launcher version. A text box will open where you can type your new username. Type the name you want, then click "Save" or "Done." The launcher will confirm the change, and your new username is now active.

The change shows up when ready in single-player worlds and in the launcher itself. On multiplayer servers, it may take a few minutes for other players to see your new name in their friend lists or chat. If a server is running slowly, the update could take up to an hour, but this is rare.

Step-by-step for Bedrock Edition

Open the Minecraft launcher from the Microsoft Store or your Start menu. Your profile appears in the top left with your current username and avatar. Click on your username to open the profile menu.

Select "Edit Profile" or "Change Name" from the options that appear. You'll see a text field with your current username highlighted. Delete it and type your new username. Click "Save" to confirm. Your new name takes effect when ready in the launcher and in single-player worlds.

On Realms or multiplayer servers, other players may see your old name for a few minutes while the change syncs across Microsoft's servers. This is normal and resolves on its own.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for any other player to use. This happens when ready. If you had a username that was valuable or memorable, someone else could claim it within seconds of you changing it.

Your old username does not carry over to your new one. Skins, capes, and cosmetics you bought stay with your account, but the name itself is gone. Any player who knew your old username will need to search for your new one to find you on servers or in multiplayer.

Cooldown periods on servers

Some multiplayer servers enforce a cooldown period between username changes. This means you might not be able to change your username again for 30 days, 60 days, or longer, depending on the server's rules. This is a server-side rule, not a Minecraft-wide rule — different servers set different limits.

Before you change your username, check the server's rules or ask a moderator if there's a cooldown. If you change your name and then want to change it again when ready, you may be blocked from doing so on that particular server, though you can still change it in the launcher and use it on other servers.

Changing your username on console

If you play on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, or Nintendo Switch, you change your username through your console's account settings, not through Minecraft. The process varies slightly by console.

On PlayStation, go to Settings, then Account, then Profile, and select "Edit Profile." You can change your online ID there. On Xbox, open Settings, then Account, then Personalization, and select "Gamertag." On Nintendo Switch, go to System Settings, then Users, select your profile, and choose "Profile Settings." Your new username syncs to Minecraft automatically within a few minutes.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed change

If you click to change your username but nothing happens, try closing the launcher completely and opening it again. Sometimes the launcher needs to refresh to show the change option. Make sure you're logged into the correct Microsoft account — if you have multiple accounts on your computer, the launcher might be showing a different profile than the one you intended.

If the change goes through in the launcher but doesn't show up in-game after 30 minutes, restart the game. If you're on a multiplayer server and other players still see your old name, wait another 10 minutes and ask them to refresh their friend list or rejoin the server. If the problem persists, contact the server's support team — they may need to manually update their player database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Only if no one else has claimed it. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available when ready. If you want to reclaim it, you can try changing back to it, but if another player has already taken it, you won't be able to use it. Choose your new username carefully.

How often can I change my username?

You can change your username as often as you want in the launcher. However, individual servers may have cooldown periods that prevent you from changing again for 30, 60, or 90 days. Check the server's rules before changing your name if you think you might want to change it again soon.

Will my skins and capes transfer to my new username?

Yes. Your skins, capes, and any cosmetics you purchased stay with your account when you change your username. They're tied to your Microsoft account, not your username. You'll see them when ready on your new name.

Does changing my username affect my worlds or inventory?

No. Your single-player worlds, inventory, achievements, and progress all stay exactly the same. The username change only affects how other players see you in multiplayer and how you appear in the launcher.

What if I change my username and then can't log in?

Make sure you're using the correct Microsoft account password. Your username change doesn't affect your login credentials — you still log in with your email address and password. If you can't log in, try resetting your Microsoft account password through the account recovery page at account.microsoft.com.