NickDetector
by eToprak
NickDetector flags players whose Minecraft usernames cannot be found in Mojang's database, so nicked players show a red NICKED tag on premium servers.
What it does
On premium online-mode servers, players often use the nick command to hide their real names. NickDetector checks each player's original username from the GameProfile against Mojang's official username lookup. When a name is not registered there, the mod draws a red NICKED tag beside that player's name, including in the TAB list. Prefixes like MVP+ and guild tags are stripped first, so the check looks only at the bare username.
The checks run asynchronously so they do not stall rendering, and results are cached to avoid repeated API requests for the same name. The mod is lightweight and runs on the client alone. Its results are a strong indication rather than absolute truth, and valid premium usernames cannot be detected as nicked. NickDetector functions solely on premium servers that run in online mode, and its Forge build targets 1.8.9 alone.
Key features
Nick tag on player names
A red NICKED tag appears next to any player whose username is not registered with Mojang.
TAB list support
The tag is also drawn in the TAB list, so nicked players can be spotted without looking at their model.
Asynchronous username checks
Lookups run in the background, which keeps frame rates from dropping while the mod works.
Cached results
Previously checked names are stored, which prevents unnecessary requests to the Mojang API.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Spotting nicked players on Hypixel-style servers
Players on premium servers that allow the nick command can see which opponents are hiding their names.
Who it’s for: Players on premium online-mode servers who want to see which names are hidden by the nick command. Servers that run offline-mode accounts are not covered.
How it compares
BetterNickname - A Hypixel Mod is a Forge 1.8.9 client-side mod under a custom license that is not open source. Nick Selector for Hypixel is a Forge 1.8.9 client-side mod under All rights reserved, also not open source. Hytools is a Forge 1.8.9 client-side mod under the MIT License and is open source. NickDetector is a Forge 1.8.9 client-side mod under All rights reserved and is not open source, and it focuses on flagging unregistered usernames rather than changing names.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NickDetector | Forge | 1.8.9 | Client-side only | 2026-02-28 |
| BetterNickname - A Hypixel Mod | Forge | 1.8.9 | Client-side only | 2024-06-12 |
| Nick Selector for Hypixel | Forge | 1.8.9 | Client-side only | 2026-06-10 |
| Hytools | Forge | 1.8.9 | Client-side only | 2024-07-06 |
Questions
Which loader does NickDetector use?
Does NickDetector have to be installed on the server?
Why can a valid premium username be marked as nicked?
In the catalog
NickDetector is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 14,575 Utility mods for Forge. 955 mods support Minecraft 1.8.9.
More from eToprak
Similar mods
What the author says
It may not show the absolute truth.But usually true. Nick Detector is a lightweight client-side mod for Minecraft Forge 1.8.9 that checks whether player usernames exist in Mojang’s official database. If a username cannot be found, the mod displays a red [NICKED] tag next to the player’s name in the TAB list.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/nickdetector
- Owner
- eToprak
- Published
- 2026-02-28
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-02-28
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15