Your Minecraft username and Xbox gamertag are separate

When you play Minecraft on Xbox, you actually have two names: your Xbox gamertag (the name other players see in multiplayer) and your Minecraft username (tied to your Microsoft account). Changing one does not automatically change the other. If you want to update how your name appears in Minecraft specifically, you change your Microsoft account profile, not your Xbox settings.

The process takes about five minutes and works the same whether you play on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, or Windows with Game Pass. You do not need to buy anything or restart your console.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Minecraft username comes from your Microsoft account profile, not your Xbox gamertag, so you change it through the Microsoft website.
  • Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, select your profile, and edit the name field under "Your info".
  • The change takes effect when ready in Minecraft, though it may take a few minutes to show in multiplayer worlds.
  • You can change your Microsoft account name once every 30 days, and the name must be between 3 and 16 characters.
  • If you want to change your Xbox gamertag instead, that is a separate process done through Xbox settings or the Xbox app.

Step-by-step: changing your name through Microsoft

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Xbox. Once you are logged in, look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner and click it, then select "Your info" or "View profile".

On your profile page, find the section that shows your name. Click "Edit name" or the pencil icon next to your current name. Type your new Minecraft username in the field that appears. Microsoft will show you what characters are allowed — letters, numbers, and underscores work; spaces and most special characters do not. Your new name must be between 3 and 16 characters long.

Click "Save" or "Next" to confirm the change. Microsoft may ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your email or phone. Enter that code when prompted. Once confirmed, your new name is active when ready in Minecraft.

What happens to your old name and worlds

When you change your Minecraft username, your old name becomes available for someone else to take after 30 days. Your worlds, achievements, and inventory stay with your account — they do not disappear. Other players in multiplayer worlds will see your new name the next time you join, though the change may take a few minutes to display in their game.

If you have built structures or left signs with your old name on them, those do not update automatically. You would need to edit them by hand if you want them to show your new name. Skins and capes you own stay attached to your account and work with your new username.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Microsoft limits you to one name change every 30 days. If you try to change your name again before 30 days have passed since your last change, the system will tell you when you can change it next. This rule applies to your entire Microsoft account, not just Minecraft.

If you made a typo or changed your mind when ready after changing your name, contact Microsoft Support through account.microsoft.com and explain the situation. They sometimes make exceptions for obvious mistakes, though there is no may provide.

Changing your Xbox gamertag instead

If you want to change the name that appears on your Xbox profile and in multiplayer games across all Xbox titles (not just Minecraft), you are changing your gamertag, which is different. On Xbox One or Series X/S, go to Settings > Account > Profile > Customize profile and select "Gamertag". On Windows, open the Xbox app, go to your profile, and select "Edit profile".

Your first gamertag change is free. After that, each change costs 800 Microsoft Points (roughly $10 USD, though prices vary by region). Your new gamertag appears everywhere you play on Xbox within a few minutes. Unlike your Minecraft username, your old gamertag does not become available for others to claim — it stays reserved to your account.

Troubleshooting: name change did not appear in Minecraft

If you changed your Microsoft account name but still see your old name in Minecraft, restart the game first. Close Minecraft completely and reopen it. If you are playing multiplayer, other players may need to restart their games too before they see your new name.

If the old name persists after a restart, sign out of your Microsoft account on your Xbox (go to Settings > Account > Sign out) and sign back in. This refreshes your account information on the console. Then launch Minecraft again. If the name still has not changed after these steps, your account may have a sync issue — contact Microsoft Support and describe what you have already tried.

Name requirements and what you cannot use

Microsoft blocks certain words and phrases from being used as usernames, including profanity, slurs, and references to real people or brands. If you try to use a blocked word, the system will reject it and ask you to choose something else. Names must contain only letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, periods, and most other symbols are not allowed.

Your name cannot be blank, and it must be at least 3 characters long and no more than 16 characters. If a name you want is already taken by another player, you cannot use it — you will need to choose something different or wait to see if that player's account becomes inactive (which takes years).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Minecraft username without changing my Xbox gamertag?

Yes. Your Minecraft username comes from your Microsoft account profile, and your Xbox gamertag is separate. You can change one without touching the other. Most players keep their gamertag the same and only update their Minecraft name, or vice versa.

How long does it take for my new name to show up in multiplayer?

The change is when ready on your end, but other players may see your old name for a few minutes until their game syncs with the server. If someone still sees your old name after 10 minutes, they can restart Minecraft to force an update.

What if someone took my old username after I changed it?

After 30 days, your old username becomes available for anyone to claim. If someone took it, you cannot get it back. You can only use it again if that person stops playing and their account becomes inactive, which typically takes several years.

Do I lose my worlds and achievements if I change my name?

No. Your worlds, achievements, skins, and everything else tied to your account stays with you. Only the name displayed changes. You will still own and access all the same content.

Can I change my name more than once a month?

No. Microsoft enforces a 30-day waiting period between name changes on your account. If you need an exception for a genuine mistake, contact Microsoft Support, but they do not always grant exceptions.