You can change your Minecraft username through your Microsoft account settings, and the process takes a few minutes

If you play Minecraft Java Edition, your username is tied to your Microsoft account. To change it, you log into your Microsoft account online, go to your profile settings, and update the name there. The change takes effect immediately in the game. You get one free username change; after that, each additional change costs money (the price varies by region).

Minecraft Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile) uses your Microsoft account gamertag instead. Changing your gamertag follows the same process but affects your gamertag across all Microsoft services, not just Minecraft.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Minecraft Java Edition username lives in your Microsoft account profile, and you change it by signing into account.microsoft.com and editing your profile name.
  • The first username change is free; subsequent changes cost money, with the price depending on your region.
  • Changes take effect right away in the game — you do not need to restart or wait.
  • Bedrock Edition uses your Microsoft gamertag, which changes your name across all Microsoft products, not just Minecraft.
  • If you cannot find the username setting, make sure you are signed into the correct Microsoft account that owns your Minecraft license.

Steps to change your Java Edition username

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the Microsoft account that owns your Minecraft Java license. Once you are logged in, look for your profile or account settings — this is usually in the top right corner or in a menu labeled "Account" or "Settings".

Find the section labeled Profile name or Username. Click the edit button next to it. Type your new username (it must be between 3 and 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, and underscores). Click save or confirm. The change appears in Minecraft the next time you launch the game.

If you do not see a username field in your profile settings, you may be looking at your Microsoft account name instead. The Minecraft username is a separate field. Scroll down or look for a section specifically labeled for Minecraft or gaming profile.

What happens after your first free change

Microsoft gives you one free username change. After you use it, changing your username again costs money. The price is not the same everywhere — it depends on your country and currency. You can see the current price before you confirm the change.

If you have already used your free change and want to change your name again, you will see the cost displayed when you try to edit your username. You can choose to pay or keep your current name. There is no limit to how many times you can change your name if you pay each time.

Bedrock Edition: changing your gamertag instead

Bedrock Edition does not have a separate Minecraft username. Instead, it uses your Microsoft gamertag — the name that appears across Xbox, Windows, and other Microsoft services. When you change your gamertag, it changes everywhere you use your Microsoft account.

To change your gamertag, sign into account.microsoft.com, go to your profile settings, and look for Gamertag. Click edit and type your new name. The change takes effect immediately. Your first gamertag change is free; after that, each change costs money.

Because your gamertag is shared across all Microsoft services, changing it will change your name in Minecraft Bedrock, Xbox Live, and any other Microsoft product you use. If you only want to change your name in Minecraft and use Java Edition, that is the better option.

Usernames you cannot use

Minecraft and Microsoft block certain usernames. You cannot use a name that is already taken by another player, contains profanity or slurs, impersonates a real person or company, or violates Microsoft's code of conduct. If you try to save a blocked name, the system will tell you it is unavailable and ask you to choose a different one.

Names that are too short (fewer than 3 characters) or too long (more than 16 characters) are also rejected. Spaces are not allowed, but underscores and numbers are.

Troubleshooting: name change is not showing up

If you changed your username but it still shows your old name in the game, try closing Minecraft completely and launching it again. Sometimes the game needs to refresh your account information. Make sure you are signed into the same Microsoft account in the game that you used to make the change.

If the old name persists after restarting, check that you actually saved the change on the Microsoft website — sometimes the page does not confirm the save clearly. Go back to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and verify that your profile name has been updated. If it has not, try the edit process again.

If you are playing on a computer where multiple people use Minecraft, make sure you are launching the game with the correct Microsoft account. Each account has its own username, and the game shows the name of whoever is currently signed in.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed that name. If someone else has taken your old username, you cannot use it again. You can change to any available name, but you will have to pay for the change if you have already used your free one.

Do I lose my world or progress if I change my username?

No. Your worlds, inventory, and progress stay with your Microsoft account. Changing your username is just changing the name that displays — it does not affect your game data or what you own in the game.

What if I forgot which Microsoft account owns my Minecraft license?

Try signing into the Minecraft Launcher with different Microsoft accounts until one works. Once you find the right account, you can change the username through that account's settings on account.microsoft.com.

Can I change my username on mobile or console?

You have to change it through account.microsoft.com on a computer or web browser. The change then appears on all your devices — phone, console, computer — because they all use the same Microsoft account.

Is there a way to change my username without paying after the first time?

No. Microsoft charges for each username change after the first free one. There is no workaround or way to avoid the fee if you want to change your name again.