Where to change your username in Minecraft PE

Your Minecraft PE username lives in your Microsoft account, not in the game itself. To change it, you log into your Microsoft account on a web browser, go to your profile settings, and update the name there. The change takes effect the next time you launch Minecraft PE on any device where you are signed in.

You cannot change your username inside the Minecraft PE app. The game reads whatever name is attached to your Microsoft account and displays it. If you try to look for a username setting in the game's options menu, you will not find one — that is by design.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Minecraft PE username is stored in your Microsoft account, so you change it through Microsoft's website, not through the game.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change appears in Minecraft PE the next time you launch the app.
  • The steps are the same whether you play on iPhone, iPad, Android, or Windows — you always go through your Microsoft account online.
  • If you are under 18, a parent or guardian may need to approve the change depending on your account type.

Step-by-step: changing your username through Microsoft

Open a web browser on any device and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the email address and password you use for Minecraft PE. Once you are logged in, look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner and click it, then select "View profile" or "Manage your Microsoft account".

On your profile page, find the section labeled "Your info" or "Account info". You should see your current username displayed. Click "Edit name" or "Change name" — the exact wording varies depending on your account type. Type your new username into the field. Microsoft will tell you if the name is already taken or contains characters that are not allowed. Once you enter a name that works, click "Save" or "Confirm".

Close the browser and launch Minecraft PE. Sign in with your Microsoft account if you are not already signed in. Your new username will appear in the game. If it does not show up when ready, close the app completely and open it again.

Rules and limits on username changes

Microsoft allows you to change your username once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. You cannot bypass this limit.

Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores only. Spaces, special characters like hyphens or periods, and profanity are not allowed. If you try to use a name that breaks these rules, Microsoft will reject it and ask you to try again.

If your account is managed by a parent or guardian through Microsoft Family, they may need to approve the change before it goes through. You will see a notification if approval is required. The parent or guardian can approve or deny the change from their own Microsoft account.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for someone else to use. You cannot reclaim it later. If you think you might want to use an old username again, wait before changing — there is no way to reserve it.

Your game progress, skins, and worlds are tied to your Microsoft account, not your username. Changing your name does not affect any of your saved games, purchases, or cosmetics. Other players will see your new username in multiplayer worlds and on Realms, but your worlds and items stay exactly as they were.

Troubleshooting: username did not change in the game

If you changed your username on Microsoft's website but Minecraft PE still shows your old name, sign out of the game completely and sign back in. Close the app entirely — do not just go to the home screen. Then reopen Minecraft PE and sign in again. This forces the app to refresh your account information.

If the name still does not update after signing out and back in, restart your device. Sometimes the app caches your old username in memory, and a full restart clears it. After restarting, open Minecraft PE and check again.

If you are playing on a device where you are not the primary account holder, make sure you are signed into the correct Microsoft account. Minecraft PE shows the username of whichever account is currently active in the app. If someone else on your device is signed in, you will see their username instead of yours.

Changing your username on different devices

The username change process is the same on iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows because you always change it through your Microsoft account online. You do not need to change it separately on each device. Once you update it on Microsoft's website, it appears on all devices the next time you launch Minecraft PE.

If you play on multiple devices and one of them still shows your old username after you have changed it and signed out, try the troubleshooting steps above — sign out completely, restart the app, and sign back in. The device should sync with your Microsoft account and show the new name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Microsoft enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you changed your name recently, you will see the date when you can change it again when you visit your Microsoft account settings. You cannot change it sooner.

Will my friends still see my old username in multiplayer?

No. Once you change your username, all players will see your new name in multiplayer worlds, on Realms, and in the friends list. Your old username will not appear anywhere in the game.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Microsoft will tell you the name is unavailable when you try to save it. You will need to choose a different name. You can try adding numbers or underscores to make a variation of the name you want, or pick something completely different.

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

No. Your worlds, skins, purchases, and all game progress are tied to your Microsoft account, not your username. Changing your name does not affect any of your saved content.

Can a parent change a child's username?

If the account is managed through Microsoft Family, the parent or guardian can change the child's username from their own account, or they can approve a change request that the child initiates. The exact process depends on the account settings the parent has configured.