Where to change your Sea of Thieves username

Your Sea of Thieves 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 game client or launcher. The process takes about five minutes and takes effect when ready across all games and services that use your Microsoft account.

You can change your username from any device with a web browser — your phone, tablet, or computer. You do not need to be logged into Sea of Thieves or have the game running. The change applies the next time you log in.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Sea of Thieves username is part of your Microsoft account, so you change it on Microsoft's website, not in the game.
  • Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, select "Your info", and choose "Manage your Microsoft account name".
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the new name takes effect when ready.
  • Your gamertag (the name other players see in-game) is separate from your account username and cannot be changed in Sea of Thieves.

Step-by-step: changing your Microsoft account username

Start by going to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with the email and password for the account you use to play Sea of Thieves. Once you are logged in, look for the section labeled "Your info" — this is usually near the top of the page or in the left sidebar.

Click on "Your info" and then look for an option that says "Manage your Microsoft account name" or "Change your name". Click that link. Microsoft will ask you to enter a new username and may ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your email or phone. Enter the code when prompted.

Review the new username to make sure it is spelled correctly, then confirm the change. Microsoft will show you a confirmation message. Your new username is now active. The next time you launch Sea of Thieves, you will be logged in under the new name.

The difference between username and gamertag

Sea of Thieves uses two different names for your account. Your username is what you log in with — the name tied to your Microsoft account. Your gamertag is the name other players see when they look at you in the game world or in the crew list. These are not the same thing.

If you change your Microsoft account username, your gamertag does not change automatically. Your gamertag is set when you first create your Sea of Thieves character and is locked to that character. You cannot change a gamertag through the game settings or through Microsoft's website. If you want a different name to appear in-game, you would need to create a new character with a different gamertag, which means starting the game over.

How often you can change your username

Microsoft allows you to change your account username once every 30 days. If you changed your username recently, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. This limit applies across all Microsoft services, not just Sea of Thieves.

If you need to change your username more than once in a month, you will have to wait until the 30-day window has passed. There is no way to bypass this limit or request an exception.

What happens to your progress and purchases

Changing your username does not affect your Sea of Thieves progress, cosmetics, gold, or any purchases you have made. All of that data is tied to your Microsoft account itself, not to the username. Your ships, crew, reputation, and battle pass progress all stay exactly the same.

Other players will see your new username the next time you log in. If you are part of a crew or have friends on your list, they will see the new name in their crew list and friend list after you log back in.

Troubleshooting: username change not showing up

If you changed your username but Sea of Thieves is still showing your old name, try signing out completely and signing back in. Close the game entirely, not just the launcher. Then restart the game and log in again. This forces the game to refresh your account information from Microsoft's servers.

If the old name is still showing after you have restarted, wait a few minutes and try again. Sometimes the change takes a few minutes to sync across Microsoft's systems. If it has been more than an hour and the new name still is not showing, go back to account.microsoft.com and verify that the change actually went through — it is possible the confirmation did not complete the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my gamertag in Sea of Thieves?

No. Your gamertag is locked to your character and cannot be changed through the game or through Microsoft's account settings. If you want a different name to appear in-game, you would need to create a new character, which starts you over from the beginning.

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

Yes. Your friends list is tied to your Microsoft account, not to your username. They will see your new username in their friends list, but the connection between you remains the same. You can still join their crews and they can still invite you to games.

Does changing my username affect my Sea of Thieves cosmetics or gold?

No. All cosmetics, gold, battle pass progress, and in-game purchases are tied to your account, not to your username. Everything stays with you when you change your name.

How long does it take for my new username to show up in the game?

Usually when ready, but sometimes it takes a few minutes for the change to sync. If you are already logged in when you change your username, restart the game completely to see the new name. If it has been more than an hour, check account.microsoft.com to confirm the change went through.

What if someone else already has the username I want?

Microsoft will tell you the username is unavailable and will not let you use it. You will need to choose a different name. Try adding numbers or a short word to make it unique.