Where to change your username depends on which launcher you use

Your Minecraft username lives in your Microsoft account, not in the game itself. If you play through the Minecraft Launcher (the official one), you change your username by logging into your Microsoft account online, finding the profile settings, and updating it there. If you play through a different launcher — like a cracked launcher or a third-party one — the process is different and happens inside that launcher instead.

The official Minecraft Launcher is what most players use. It connects to your Microsoft account automatically when you log in. Your username appears in the launcher's main menu, and that same name shows up in multiplayer servers and to other players. Changing it means going to Microsoft's website, not opening the game.

Before you change your username, know that you can do this once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, you will have to wait until the 30-day window closes. Microsoft shows you when your next change is available right on the profile page.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Minecraft username is stored in your Microsoft account online, so you change it by logging into your Microsoft account on the web, not by opening the game.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and Microsoft will show you the exact date when your next change becomes available.
  • The official Minecraft Launcher pulls your username from your Microsoft profile automatically, so any change you make online appears in the launcher within minutes.
  • If you use a third-party or cracked launcher, the username change happens inside that launcher instead, and the process varies by which one you use.

How to change your username in the official Minecraft Launcher

Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with the email and password you use for Minecraft. Once you are logged in, look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner and click it. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

Click View profile or My account (the exact wording varies slightly depending on your region). This takes you to your account overview page. On the left side, you will see a menu with options like "Security", "Privacy", and "Your info". Look for Your info and click it.

On the Your info page, scroll down until you see a section labeled Minecraft profile or Gaming profile. This section shows your current Minecraft username. Click the Edit button or the pencil icon next to your username. A text box will appear where you can type your new username.

Type your new username — it can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Click Save or Confirm. Microsoft will tell you whether the name is available. If it is taken, you will need to choose a different one. Once you save a new username, it appears in your Minecraft Launcher within a few minutes.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days. This means if you change from "OldName" to "NewName", another player can take "OldName" starting on day 31. Your game progress, skins, and worlds do not disappear — they stay tied to your Microsoft account and appear under your new username.

Other players who had you on their friends list will see your new username the next time they log in. If you were in a multiplayer world or server with others, they will see the name change happen in real time or the next time they restart the server.

If you regret the change, you can change back to your old username within that 30-day window, as long as no one else has claimed it yet. After 30 days, if someone else has taken it, you cannot get it back.

Changing your username in third-party launchers

If you use a launcher other than the official Minecraft Launcher — such as a cracked launcher, a modding launcher, or a platform-specific one — the process is different. These launchers often store your username locally on your computer rather than pulling it from Microsoft's servers.

In most third-party launchers, you can change your username by opening the launcher, going to Settings or Profile, and looking for a field labeled Username or Player Name. Type your new name directly into that field and save. The change takes effect the next time you launch the game.

The exact steps depend on which launcher you use. If you are unsure, check the launcher's settings menu or documentation. Some launchers let you change your username as many times as you want, while others may have their own restrictions.

Why your username might not change

If you changed your username on Microsoft's website but it still shows the old name in your Minecraft Launcher, try closing the launcher completely and opening it again. Sometimes the launcher needs to refresh to pull the new information from your Microsoft account.

If the old name persists after a restart, sign out of the launcher entirely. Go to the launcher's settings, find the account section, and click Sign out. Then sign back in with your Microsoft email and password. This forces the launcher to fetch your current profile information from Microsoft's servers.

If you are playing on a server or in a multiplayer world and your new username does not appear to others, ask them to restart the server or world. Sometimes other players' games cache the old name and need to refresh to see the update.

Username restrictions and what you cannot do

Minecraft usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, special characters like hyphens or periods, or characters from other languages.

Microsoft will reject a username if it contains profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. If you try to save a name that violates these rules, you will see an error message telling you the name is not allowed. You will need to choose a different one.

You cannot reserve a username or hold multiple usernames at once. Each Microsoft account has exactly one active Minecraft username. If you want to use a different name, you have to change the one you have.

What to do if your username is taken

If the username you want is already in use, Microsoft will tell you it is unavailable when you try to save it. You will need to choose a different name. Try adding a number to the end, using an underscore, or picking a variation of the name you wanted.

You cannot request that another player give up their username, and Microsoft does not hold usernames for players who are inactive. If a username is taken, it stays taken unless that player changes it or their account is deleted by Microsoft for violating the terms of service.

If you believe a username is being used for harassment or to impersonate you, you can report the account to Microsoft through their reporting system. However, this does not may provide the username will be freed up.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Microsoft enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you change your username today, you cannot change it again until 30 days have passed. The exact date when your next change is available appears on your Microsoft profile page.

Do I lose my worlds, skins, or progress if I change my username?

No. Your worlds, skins, achievements, and all game progress stay tied to your Microsoft account. They appear under your new username when ready. Other players will see your new name, but your game data does not change.

What if I change my username and then want to change it back?

You can change back to your old username within 30 days, as long as no one else has claimed it. After 30 days, if another player has taken your old username, you cannot get it back. You would have to choose a different name instead.

Does changing my Minecraft username affect my Microsoft account email or password?

No. Your Minecraft username is separate from your Microsoft account email and password. Changing your username does not change how you log in or affect any other Microsoft services you use.

Why does my launcher still show my old username after I changed it online?

The launcher sometimes takes a few minutes to refresh. Close the launcher completely and open it again. If the old name still appears, sign out of the launcher in its settings, then sign back in with your Microsoft email and password.