Where to change your username

You change your Minecraft Java Edition username through the Minecraft Launcher, 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. You cannot change your username inside the game world or through any in-game menu.

Your username is tied to your Microsoft account, which you must have to play Java Edition. If you have not yet linked your Java Edition account to a Microsoft account, you will need to do that first before you can change your username. This is a one-time step that takes a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username in the Minecraft Launcher by clicking your profile name at the top left, then selecting "Change Profile Name" — not in the game itself.
  • Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready in the launcher but may take a few minutes to show in-game.
  • If you see an error message saying the name is taken or invalid, try a different name — the system will tell you why it rejected your choice.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use after you change it, so if you want to switch back later, you cannot claim the same name again.

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

Open the Minecraft Launcher on your computer. Look at the top left corner where you see your current username and profile picture. Click on your username — a small dropdown menu will appear with a few options.

Select "Change Profile Name" from that menu. A window will pop up with a text box showing your current username. Delete the old name and type your new username into the box. Remember: your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Spaces and special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols are not allowed.

After you type your new name, click the button to confirm the change — the exact label depends on your launcher version, but it will say something like "Change" or "Save". The launcher will check whether that username is available. If it is, the change happens when ready and you will see your new name at the top left of the launcher.

If the launcher tells you the name is unavailable or invalid, read the error message carefully. It will say whether the name is already taken by another player, contains forbidden characters, or is too short or too long. Choose a different name and try again.

What happens after you change your username

Your new username shows in the Minecraft Launcher right away. When you start a game, it may take a few minutes for the new name to appear in-game — other players might still see your old username for a short time, but this clears up quickly as the servers update.

Your old username becomes available for other players to claim when ready. If you change your mind and want to use your old name again, you cannot straightforward switch back to it — someone else may have already taken it. Plan your username change carefully if you have a name you want to keep.

Your game worlds, inventory, and progress do not change. Everything you built and collected stays with your account, regardless of what your username is.

The 30-day waiting period

You can change your username once every 30 days. If you just changed it, the launcher will not let you change it again until 30 days have passed from the date of your last change. This limit is set by Microsoft and cannot be bypassed.

If you try to change your username before the 30 days are up, the launcher will show you an error message telling you when you will be able to change it next. Make a note of that date so you know when you can try again.

Troubleshooting common problems

The launcher says the name is taken. This means another player already has that username. Try adding a number or underscore to make it unique — for example, if "Alex" is taken, try "Alex_1" or "Alex123". The launcher will tell you when ready whether your new choice is available.

The launcher says the name contains invalid characters. You used a character that is not allowed. Remove any spaces, hyphens, periods, symbols, or special characters. Only letters, numbers, and underscores work. If your desired name has a space or hyphen, replace it with an underscore instead.

The launcher says the name is too short or too long. Your username must be at least 3 characters and no more than 16 characters. Count the letters, numbers, and underscores in your chosen name and adjust it to fit within that range.

You do not see a "Change Profile Name" option. Make sure you are clicking on your username at the top left of the launcher, not somewhere else. If you still do not see the option, close the launcher completely and open it again. If the option still does not appear, your account may not be fully linked to Microsoft — try logging out and logging back in.

Linking your Java Edition account to Microsoft (if you have not done this yet)

If you created your Minecraft Java Edition account before Microsoft took over, you may still be using an old Mojang account. You must link it to a Microsoft account to change your username through the launcher.

Open the Minecraft Launcher and look for a prompt to link your account, or go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Follow the steps to link your Java Edition account. Once linked, you will be able to change your username using the steps above. This process usually takes just a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. Microsoft limits username changes to once per 30 days. If you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. The launcher will show you the exact date when you will be able to change it next.

What happens to my old username after I change it?

Your old username becomes available for any other player to claim. If you want to use it again later, you cannot — someone else may have already taken it. Choose your new username carefully.

Do I lose my worlds and progress if I change my username?

No. Your game worlds, inventory, achievements, and all progress stay with your account. Changing your username does not affect any of your saved data or in-game items.

Why does my new username not show up in-game right away?

The launcher updates when ready, but the game servers take a few minutes to recognize the change. Other players might see your old name for a short time, but this clears up within a few minutes as the system syncs.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Your username can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other symbols are not allowed. If you want a space between words, use an underscore instead.