You can change your Minecraft name through your Microsoft account settings

Your in-game name in Minecraft is tied to your Microsoft account, not to the game itself. To change it, you log into your Microsoft account online, find the profile settings, and update the name there. The change takes effect the next time you launch the game. You do not need to buy anything or contact support — it is a setting you control yourself.

The process is the same whether you play Minecraft Java Edition or Bedrock Edition. Both versions pull your name from the same Microsoft account. If you have played Minecraft for years under an old username and want a fresh start, or if you created an account with a name you now want to change, this is how you do it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Minecraft name lives in your Microsoft account settings, not in the game itself, so you change it online before launching the game.
  • You can change your name once every 30 days, and the change shows to other players the next time you log in.
  • The name you choose must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot be profane or impersonate a real person.
  • If someone else has already taken the name you want, you will see that message when you try to save it, and you will need to pick a different one.
  • Changing your name does not affect your game progress, achievements, or items — those stay with your account.

Step-by-step: changing your name on a computer

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 menu will drop down. Select My Microsoft account or View profile.

On your profile page, find the section labeled Gamertag or Profile name. Click the pencil icon or Edit button next to it. Type your new name into the box. The name must be 3 to 16 characters long and can only use letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores. Click Save or Confirm. Microsoft will tell you if the name is already taken or breaks their naming rules. If it is available, the change saves when ready.

Close the browser and launch Minecraft. The next time you log in, your new name will appear in the game. Other players will see the new name when you join their world or they see you in multiplayer.

Changing your name on Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch

If you play Minecraft Bedrock Edition on a console, the process is slightly different because you change the name through your console's system settings, not through a web browser. On Xbox, go to Settings, then Account, then Gamertag. Select Change gamertag and follow the prompts. On PlayStation, go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Profile, then Edit Profile, then Online ID. On Nintendo Switch, go to System Settings, then Users, then your profile, then Profile Settings, then Nickname.

After you change your name on the console, launch Minecraft and log in with your Microsoft account. The new name will sync to the game within a few minutes. If you play on multiple devices (a computer and a console, for example), changing your name on one device updates it everywhere because they all use the same Microsoft account.

What names are not allowed

Microsoft blocks names that are profane, sexually explicit, or that impersonate real people or famous figures. They also block names that reference illegal activity or hate speech. If you try to save a name that breaks these rules, you will see an error message saying the name is not allowed, and you will have to pick a different one.

Names that are already taken by another player will also be rejected. If you see a message that says the name is unavailable, someone else has claimed it. You can try adding a number or underscore to make it unique — for example, SkyWalker_1 instead of SkyWalker — or choose a different name altogether.

How often you can change your name

You can change your Minecraft name once every 30 days. This means if you changed your name today, you cannot change it again for another month. The 30-day timer starts from the moment you save the new name, not from when you log into the game. If you change your mind right after making a change, you have to wait the full 30 days before you can pick something else.

This limit exists to prevent people from impersonating others or constantly switching names to avoid consequences in multiplayer games. It also keeps the name system stable — if names could change every day, other players would have a hard time recognizing who they are playing with.

Your name, your progress, and your items

Changing your name does not erase anything. Your worlds, your inventory, your achievements, and your playtime all stay exactly as they are. If you have built a house in a world, collected rare items, or earned trophies, they are still there under your new name. The name is just a label on your account — it does not touch the actual game data.

If you play on a server or in a multiplayer world with friends, they will see your new name the next time you log in. Any builds or items you left behind will still be yours. Some servers keep a record of old names so that moderators can track players, but your progress and ownership of items do not change.

Troubleshooting: what to do if the change does not show up

If you changed your name online but it still shows your old name in Minecraft, try logging out of the game completely and logging back in. Sometimes the game needs to refresh your account information. Close Minecraft entirely, wait a few seconds, and open it again.

If that does not work, restart your device. On a computer, shut down and turn it back on. On a console, power it off and on again. This clears the game's cache and forces it to pull your latest account information from Microsoft's servers. After you restart, launch Minecraft and log in. Your new name should appear. If you still see the old name after restarting, wait a few more minutes — sometimes the change takes up to 10 minutes to sync across all of Microsoft's servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, but only after 30 days have passed. Once the 30-day waiting period is over, you can change your name to anything available, including a name you used in the past. If someone else has claimed your old name in the meantime, you will not be able to use it unless they change theirs first.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password?

Go to account.microsoft.com and click Can't access your account at the bottom of the sign-in page. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. Once you reset your password, you can log in and change your Minecraft name.

Do I have to pay to change my name?

No. Changing your Minecraft name is free and built into your Microsoft account. You do not need to buy anything or use a third-party service. If a website or app asks you to pay to change your name, it is not legitimate.

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

Yes. Your friends can still see you in their friends list because the friendship is tied to your account, not your name. When you change your name, your account stays the same — only the label changes. They will see your new name the next time they log in.

Can I have a different name on different devices?

No. Your Minecraft name is controlled by your Microsoft account, and you can only have one Microsoft account. If you log into Minecraft on a computer, a phone, and a console with the same account, you will have the same name on all three. If you want a different name on a different device, you would need to create a separate Microsoft account.