To change your Minecraft name, you need to know which edition you play: for Java Edition, you change your profile name on Minecraft.net, while for Bedrock Edition, you change your console or account name. The fastest way to change your Minecraft name depends on your platform, but the process always takes less than five minutes once you know where to look.
How to change your Minecraft name on Java Edition
For Minecraft: Java Edition, your in-game name is your Java profile name. To change it, open your web browser and go to Minecraft.net, then sign in with your Microsoft account. Once logged in, scroll down to the "Minecraft: Java Edition" section and select "Change Profile Name" or "Profile Name."
- Enter your new profile name in the text field.
- Select "Change Your Profile Name" or "Set Profile Name" to finalize.
- Launch the game to see your new name in effect immediately.
You can change your Minecraft name this way as often as you like, but only once every 30 days per account.
Minecraft Java Edition naming rules and restrictions
Before you settle on a new name, check the rules. Java Edition profile names must be between 3 and 16 characters long. Allowed characters include English alphabet letters (A-Z, a-z), numbers 0-9, and only an underscore (_). No spaces, hyphens, dots, or accented characters are permitted, so "Steve_2024" works, but "Steve-2024" does not.
There's also a 30-day change cooldown, meaning you can only change your Minecraft name once every 30 days per Java account. After you change it, your old name becomes available to other players after 37 days. Your Minecraft Java Edition name history is associated with your account forever and can be looked up by others, so pick something you'll be comfortable keeping visible.
How to change your Minecraft name on Bedrock Edition (Xbox)
For Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, your in-game name is tied to your Xbox Gamertag. To change your Minecraft name on Xbox, you must change your Xbox Gamertag via the Xbox website or console settings. Alternatively, on your Xbox console, press the Xbox button, go to Profile & system, select your profile, then "Customize profile" and "Gamertag."
- Confirm the change, Xbox may charge a fee for the first change unless you're using a free name change token.
- Reload Minecraft on your Xbox, and your new name will appear in-game.
This method updates your name across all Bedrock devices linked to your Microsoft account, not just Xbox.
How to change your Minecraft name on PlayStation
On PlayStation, your in-game profile name is your PSN online ID, which can be changed via PlayStation Network settings. Enter your new PSN online ID, confirm it, and then restart Minecraft to see the change.
- Your new PSN online ID must be 3-16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
- The first change is free, but subsequent changes cost money unless you have PlayStation Plus.
- Your old PSN online ID will still appear in some games and on your profile for 30 days.
This change affects all PlayStation games, not just Minecraft, so choose a name that works everywhere.
How to change your Minecraft name on Nintendo Switch
For Nintendo Switch, your in-game name for Minecraft is your Nintendo account nickname, which can be changed in your Switch profile settings. Relaunch Minecraft, and your new name will appear in-game.
- Your Nintendo account nickname is separate from your friend code, so changing it won't affect your friend list.
- This nickname appears in Minecraft and other games that use your Nintendo account name.
- You can change your nickname as often as you like, with no cooldown.
Since Bedrock Edition syncs across platforms, changing your Nintendo nickname will update your name in Minecraft on Switch, but if you play on other Bedrock devices, your Xbox Gamertag still takes priority.
