You can change your Minecraft username once every 30 days through your Microsoft account
If you play Minecraft Java Edition, your username is tied to your Microsoft account. Microsoft lets you change it once every 30 days at no cost. The change takes effect immediately in the game, and your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 37 days.
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 30-day rule but affects your identity across all Microsoft services, not just Minecraft.
The process is straightforward if you know where to go. Most of the confusion comes from Microsoft having moved the username tool around over the years, and from the difference between Java and Bedrock editions.
Key Takeaways
- Java Edition players change their username through the Microsoft account website, and the change takes effect the next time they log in.
- You can change your username once every 30 days, and you must wait that full 30 days before changing it again.
- Bedrock Edition uses your Microsoft gamertag, which you change in account settings but the change affects all Microsoft services.
- Your old username becomes available for others to use after 37 days, so if you want to reclaim it later, you have a narrow window.
- If you cannot change your username, the most common reason is that you have already changed it within the last 30 days.
How to change your Java Edition username
Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Minecraft Java profile. If you do not remember which account you used, launch the Minecraft launcher, look at the account name shown in the top right, and sign in with that one.
Once you are signed in, click your profile name or avatar in the top right corner and select Your Info. On the left side of the page, click Manage your Microsoft account. Then click the Xbox profile tab or link (the exact wording varies depending on your browser and region).
Look for the option to change your gamertag or username. Click it, enter your new username, and confirm. The system will tell you immediately if the name is taken or contains blocked words. Once you confirm the change, it takes effect the next time you launch Minecraft and log in.
If the change does not appear in-game after you log back in, restart the Minecraft launcher completely. Sometimes it caches the old name for a few minutes.
How to change your Bedrock Edition username
Bedrock Edition does not have a separate username system. Your in-game name is your Microsoft gamertag, which you change in your Microsoft account settings, not in the game itself.
Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and click your profile name or avatar. Select Your Info, then look for Manage your Microsoft account. Find the section labeled Your profile or Gamertag and click Edit. Enter your new gamertag and confirm.
The change takes effect immediately across all Microsoft services — Xbox, Minecraft Bedrock, and any other Microsoft game or app you use. Unlike Java Edition, you cannot change your gamertag back and forth between different names on a schedule; the 30-day rule applies to your entire Microsoft account, not just Minecraft.
What happens to your old username
When you change your username in Java Edition, your old name does not disappear right away. Other players cannot use it for 37 days. After that window closes, the name enters a pool and becomes available for anyone to claim.
This matters if you think you might want to change back to your original username later. You have 37 days to reclaim it before someone else can take it. After that, you would have to wait for the person who claimed it to abandon it, which could take years or never happen.
Your Minecraft worlds, achievements, and friends list stay with your account no matter what username you use. Changing your name does not reset your progress or disconnect you from people on your friends list.
Reasons you might not be able to change your username
The most common reason is that you have already changed your username within the last 30 days. Microsoft enforces this limit strictly. If you changed it 20 days ago, you have to wait 10 more days before you can change it again. The system will tell you exactly how many days remain.
Another reason is that the username you want is already taken. Minecraft usernames are unique, so if someone else has claimed the name you want, you cannot use it. Try a variation — adding a number, underscore, or different spelling.
If you are trying to change your Bedrock gamertag and it is not working, you may have changed it recently in another Microsoft service. The 30-day timer applies to your entire Microsoft account, not just Minecraft. Changing your Xbox gamertag, for example, resets the timer for your Minecraft name.
If you cannot sign into your Microsoft account at all, you will not be able to change your username. Reset your password first, or contact Microsoft account support if you have lost access to the email address associated with your account.
How long the change takes to show up
In Java Edition, the change is instant on the Microsoft website, but it does not appear in-game until you close and reopen the Minecraft launcher and log back in. If you are already in a world when you change your name, you may need to restart the game for it to register.
In Bedrock Edition, the change is usually instant across all services. If you are already playing when you change your gamertag, you may see your old name until you restart the game.
Other players will see your new username immediately in multiplayer servers and realms. There is no delay on their end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?
No. Microsoft enforces a strict 30-day waiting period between username changes. You must wait the full 30 days from your last change before you can change it again. The system will show you a countdown timer if you try to change it too soon.
What if someone takes my old username after I change it?
You have 37 days to reclaim your old username before it becomes available to others. After that window closes, if someone else has claimed it, you cannot get it back unless they change their name and abandon it. Plan ahead if you think you might want to switch back.
Does changing my username affect my worlds or friends list?
No. Your worlds, achievements, and friends list are tied to your account, not your username. Everyone on your friends list will still see you as a friend after you change your name, and you will keep access to all your saved worlds and progress.
Is there a cost to change my Minecraft username?
No. Microsoft does not charge for username changes. If a website or service is asking you to pay to change your Minecraft name, it is not legitimate.
Why does my new username not show up in-game?
Close the Minecraft launcher completely and reopen it, then log in again. The launcher sometimes caches your old username for a few minutes. If it still does not appear after a full restart, wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem persists, check that you are signed into the correct Microsoft account in the launcher.