Changing your Minecraft username through the launcher

You change your Minecraft Java Edition username by logging into your Microsoft account through the launcher, not through a settings menu in the game itself. The launcher is the program you open before the game starts. Once you are logged in, your current username appears at the top right of the launcher window.

Click on your username in the top right corner of the launcher. A dropdown menu will appear with options including "Skins" and "Settings". Look for the option to change your profile name or username — the exact wording depends on which version of the launcher you have, but it will be in this menu. Click it, type your new name, and confirm the change.

The new name takes effect immediately in the launcher and in-game. Other players will see your new username the next time you join a server or world, though there may be a short delay of a few minutes on some servers.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username through the Microsoft launcher, not through settings inside the game.
  • Click your current username in the top right corner of the launcher to find the name-change option.
  • The new name appears in-game right away, though servers may take a few minutes to update.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days if you have a Microsoft account.
  • Changing your username does not affect your game progress, inventory, or worlds.

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. Microsoft typically holds the old name for 30 days before releasing it to the public. During those 30 days, no one else can use it, but after that period ends, another player can register it.

Your game progress, worlds, and inventory remain tied to your Microsoft account, not to the username itself. If you change your name back to your old username later, you will still have access to everything you owned before, because the account is what matters, not the name on it.

Frequency limits and restrictions

Microsoft allows you to change your Minecraft username once every 30 days. If you try to change it again before 30 days have passed since your last change, the launcher will show you a countdown timer telling you when you can change it next.

Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like hyphens or periods are not allowed. If you try to use a name that is already taken or does not follow these rules, the launcher will reject it and ask you to try a different one.

Changing your skin after a name change

Your skin — the visual appearance of your character — is separate from your username and does not change when you rename your account. If you want a new look to go with your new name, you can upload a custom skin or choose a preset skin from the launcher.

To change your skin, click on "Skins" in the launcher menu (the same place where you found the username option). You can upload a PNG file you have created, download a skin from the Minecraft marketplace, or choose from the default skins provided. The skin change takes effect the next time you load the game.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If the name-change option does not appear in your launcher, make sure you are logged into a Microsoft account, not a legacy Mojang account. Minecraft Java Edition requires a Microsoft account to change your username. If you still have a Mojang account, you will need to migrate it to Microsoft first — this is a one-time process that Microsoft handles automatically when you try to log in.

If you see an error message saying the name is unavailable or invalid, check that the name is not already taken and that it contains only letters, numbers, and underscores with no spaces. If the name meets these requirements but is still rejected, wait a few minutes and try again, as the system sometimes needs time to process.

If you cannot find the username option in your launcher at all, try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes the launcher needs to refresh to show all available options. If that does not work, restart the launcher completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Microsoft enforces a 30-day waiting period between name changes. The launcher will show you exactly when you can change your name again if you try before the period is up.

Will my friends still see me after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends list and multiplayer connections are tied to your Microsoft account, not your username. They will see your new name in-game, but you will still appear on their friends list and can join their worlds and servers normally.

What if someone takes my old username after the 30-day hold expires?

You cannot reclaim it once another player registers it. If you think you might want to use that name again, you can change back to it before the 30 days are up — that does not count as a new change, it counts as reverting to your previous name.

Does changing my username affect my Minecraft Realms subscription?

No. Realms is tied to your Microsoft account, so your subscription, worlds, and player list all stay the same. Your Realm will simply show your new username to other players.