You can change your Minecraft username once every 30 days through your Microsoft account

Your Minecraft username is the name other players see when you join servers or play multiplayer. If you want a different name, you change it on the Microsoft account website — the same place you log in to play. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up in-game. You can change your username once every 30 days, and there is no cost.

The process is straightforward: sign into your Microsoft account, go to your profile settings, find the username section, and enter your new name. Microsoft checks that the name is not already taken and does not contain banned words. If your new name is available, the change is done.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Minecraft username on the Microsoft account website, not in the game itself.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the change is free.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and not already be taken by another player.
  • The change takes effect when ready in-game, though it may take a few minutes to appear on servers and in chat.

Step-by-step: changing your username

Start by going to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and signing in with the email and password you use for Minecraft. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to complete that step.

Once you are signed in, look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner and click it. Select Your info or Account from the menu. On the left side, you should see a section called Manage your Microsoft account or similar — click that.

Look for a section labeled Username or Gamertag. Click the option to change or edit it. Enter your new username in the text box. Microsoft will tell you right away if the name is already taken or contains words that are not allowed. If the name is available, click Save or Confirm. Your new username is now active.

Rules for your new username

Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or $.

Microsoft blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names without permission. If you try to use a blocked word, the system will reject it and ask you to choose something else. The name you choose cannot already belong to another player — if someone else has it, you will see a message saying the username is taken.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old name becomes available for other players to claim after a waiting period. Your game progress, skins, worlds, and achievements stay with your account — they do not disappear. Friends who had you added by your old username will still see you in their friends list, though your name will update to the new one.

On servers and in multiplayer games, your new username will show up the next time you join. Some servers may take a few minutes to update the name in their player lists or chat logs, but this is normal.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This waiting period starts the moment you confirm your new username. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, the website will show you a countdown telling you when you can change it next.

The 30-day rule applies to each change separately. If you change your username on January 1st, you can change it again on January 31st. If you change it again on January 31st, your next change is available on February 28th or 29th.

Troubleshooting: what to do if the change does not work

If you see an error message when you try to change your username, the most common reason is that the name is already taken. Try a different name. If the system says the name contains blocked words, it means Microsoft's filter flagged something in the text — try removing numbers or changing letters around.

If you are locked out of your Microsoft account or cannot sign in, you will not be able to change your username until you regain access. Go to account.microsoft.com/security and follow the steps to recover your account. If you have a phone number or backup email on file, Microsoft can send you a code to sign back in.

If your username changed but it is not showing up in-game, wait 5 to 10 minutes and restart Minecraft. The game sometimes needs to refresh your account information. If it still does not show after restarting, sign out of the launcher completely, close it, and sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Yes, but only after the 30-day waiting period has passed. Once 30 days have gone by since your last change, you can change your username to anything available — including your previous name, if no one else has claimed it. If someone else took your old name, you cannot use it unless they change theirs first.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list stays the same, and your friends will see your new username automatically. They do not need to re-add you or do anything on their end. Your account is the same — only the name displayed has changed.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your username and password are separate. Changing your username does not affect your password or your account security. You only need to change your password if you think someone else knows it or if Microsoft asks you to.

What if the username I want is taken?

Try a variation: add a number at the end, use an underscore, or change a letter. For example, if "Alex" is taken, you could try "Alex_123" or "Alex1". You can also wait to see if the person using that name changes it, but there is no way to know when or if that will happen.

Can I change my username on mobile or console?

No. You must change your username on a computer or tablet using the Microsoft account website. Once you change it there, the new name shows up on all devices where you play Minecraft — console, mobile, and PC — but the change itself only happens through the website.