NewsOld School RuneScape
OSRS Makes Jagex Account Migration Mandatory November 17
Jagex plans to make Jagex Accounts mandatory for legacy OSRS logins on November 17, 2026. Players who have not migrated will keep their characters, but must upgrade before playing again.
The deadline for legacy logins
Jagex has set November 17, 2026 as the switch-over date for legacy RuneScape logins, including accounts used for Old School RuneScape. After that point, anyone still using the older account system will have to upgrade to a Jagex Account before entering the game. Jagex says login reminders will appear ahead of the change, so players can complete the one-time move on their own schedule.
The date is a login checkpoint, not an account-deletion deadline. Characters and account data remain stored if a player does nothing by November 17; the next login will simply stop at the upgrade flow. That distinction matters for returning players: progress, names and characters are not scheduled to disappear, but access will pause until migration is finished.
What players need to do
For a standard legacy account, the process requires the username or login email and the current password. Jagex says access to the email address presently attached to that legacy account is not required for the transfer itself. Players should nevertheless confirm that they know their credentials and can secure the new email address they choose for the Jagex Account.
Steam, Apple, Google and Game Center users have a narrower exception. Those linked methods can still be used to sign in without an immediate conversion. However, a Jagex Account becomes necessary if those players want to use the Jagex Launcher or website services such as Support. Moving early avoids discovering that requirement when help or a different client is needed.
Security and character management
Jagex introduced the newer account system in 2023 to replace older login technology with stronger password rules, improved two-factor authentication and alerts for logins or account changes. The company says more than 89 percent of active players already use it. During migration, existing character-level multi-factor authentication is replaced; a new Jagex Account starts with email-based MFA, with authenticator-app protection and backup codes available in settings.
One Jagex Account can now hold up to 50 characters, increased from 20 after player feedback. Character names are preserved, and players choose the relevant character after signing in through the main account. Simultaneous play on different characters remains supported, although the same character still cannot be used in both RuneScape games at once. OSRS characters linked to a Jagex Account also receive 20 additional bank spaces and Fancier Boots.
Launcher, clients and preparation
Approved third-party clients remain available through the Launcher, so the transition does not end RuneLite plugin use. Jagex Accounts are also supported on mobile, where OSRS already offers character switching. Jagex has released a Linux Launcher for Old School RuneScape and plans an Apple Silicon Launcher by the end of October, ahead of the mandatory migration.
The safest preparation is straightforward: verify the legacy login, create or check the Jagex Account, import every intended character, enable an authenticator app, save backup codes offline and test the usual device before November 17. Players with many alts should review the expanded 50-character limit. Completing these checks early leaves time to resolve ownership or support issues without losing a planned play session when the old login gate closes.
Source: Old School RuneScape