Where to change your MCPE username

Your Minecraft Pocket Edition username is tied to your Microsoft account, not to the game itself. This means you change it through Microsoft's account settings, not through the MCPE app. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you play on Android, iOS, Windows, or Nintendo Switch.

You will need to sign in to your Microsoft account on a web browser or through the Xbox app on your device. Once you are signed in, you navigate to your profile settings and look for the section labeled "Gamertag" or "Xbox profile" — this is where your in-game name lives. Changing it there updates your name in Minecraft Pocket Edition when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Your MCPE username is stored in your Microsoft account, so you change it through Microsoft's website or the Xbox app, not through the game itself.
  • You can change your gamertag once every 30 days for free; additional changes within that window cost money.
  • The name you choose must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain no spaces, and cannot include certain symbols or offensive words.
  • Changes take effect when ready in Minecraft Pocket Edition, but may take a few minutes to show up in multiplayer worlds or Realms.

Changing your gamertag on the Microsoft website

Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser and sign in with the email and password you use for Minecraft. Once you are logged in, look for "Your info" or "Account" in the left menu, then select "Manage your Microsoft account."

Find the section that says "Gamertag" or "Xbox profile." Click on it, then click "Edit gamertag" or "Change name." You will see a text box where you can type your new name. Type what you want, then click "Check availability" to see if someone else is already using it. If it is available, click "Save" or "Confirm," and your new name takes effect right away in Minecraft Pocket Edition.

If the name you want is taken, the system will suggest similar alternatives. You can accept one of those or go back and try a different name. Once you have changed your gamertag, you cannot change it again for 30 days without paying a fee.

Changing your gamertag through the Xbox app

If you play Minecraft on Windows or have the Xbox app installed, you can change your gamertag directly from there. Open the Xbox app, sign in with your Microsoft account, and look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner. Click on it and select "View profile" or "Manage account."

Look for "Gamertag" in the profile menu and click "Edit." Type your new name, check that it is available, and save your changes. The process is identical to the website method — your new name shows up in Minecraft Pocket Edition within seconds.

Rules for your new username

Microsoft enforces specific rules about what names are allowed. Your gamertag must be between 3 and 16 characters long, contain only letters and numbers (no spaces or most punctuation marks), and cannot start with a number. Names that are offensive, contain slurs, or reference illegal activity will be rejected.

The system checks availability in real time, so if you type a name and it says "not available," someone else owns it. You cannot reserve a name or put it on a waiting list — you have to choose something else. If you are having trouble finding an available name, try adding numbers to the end or using a variation of what you wanted.

What happens after you change your name

Your new gamertag appears in Minecraft Pocket Edition almost when ready on your own device. If you play in multiplayer worlds or on Realms, other players may see your old name for a few minutes while the change syncs across Microsoft's servers. This is normal and resolves on its own.

Your old username does not stay reserved — once you change it, someone else can claim it. If you change your mind later, you can change back to your old name, but you will have to wait 30 days from your last change unless you pay the fee.

The 30-day waiting period and fees

Microsoft allows one free gamertag change every 30 days. If you change your name on day one, you cannot change it again until day 31. If you want to change it sooner, Microsoft charges a fee — the exact amount varies by region, but it is typically a few dollars.

This rule applies across all Microsoft games and services that use your gamertag, not just Minecraft. If you change your name in Fortnite or another game that uses your Microsoft account, the 30-day timer starts over for all of them.

Troubleshooting: name not changing in the game

If you changed your gamertag on the Microsoft website but it still shows your old name in Minecraft Pocket Edition, try closing the app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the game needs to refresh its connection to your account.

If the old name persists after restarting, sign out of the game entirely. Go to the settings menu in MCPE, find "Sign out" or "Account," and tap it. Then sign back in with your Microsoft email. This forces the game to pull your current profile information from Microsoft's servers.

If you are playing on a device where you are not the main account holder, the name change might not sync until the device owner signs in. On shared devices, each person needs their own Microsoft account to have their own gamertag.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you will pay a fee for each change within the 30-day window. The first change is free, and then you have to wait 30 days for the next free change. If you want to change sooner, Microsoft charges a fee that varies by region.

Will my old username be available for someone else to use?

Yes. Once you change your gamertag, your old name becomes available when ready. If you want to use it again later, you can, but you will have to wait for the 30-day period to pass and then claim it like any other name.

Does changing my username affect my worlds or inventory?

No. Your worlds, items, and progress stay with your Microsoft account no matter what name you use. Changing your gamertag is purely cosmetic — it only changes what other players see when you join their world.

Why does my name still show as old in multiplayer?

Multiplayer servers sometimes take a few minutes to sync your new name across all players. If you and a friend are in the same world and your name looks different to each of you, wait a few minutes and the servers will catch up. Restarting the app speeds this up.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Microsoft only allows letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9) in gamertags. Spaces, hyphens, underscores, and most other symbols are not permitted. If you want to separate words, use numbers or just run the letters together.