Change your gamertag through the Xbox app or website
You can change your Xbox gamertag (the name other players see) by signing into your Microsoft account on the Xbox app, the Xbox website, or directly on your console. The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing the first time; after that, each change costs money. You do not need to create a new account or lose your game progress, achievements, or friends list.
Your gamertag is separate from your Microsoft account email. Changing one does not change the other. If you have played games, earned achievements, or made purchases under your current gamertag, all of that stays with your account when you change the name.
Key Takeaways
- Your first gamertag change is free; subsequent changes cost a small fee that varies by region.
- You can change your gamertag on any device where you can sign into your Microsoft account: console, phone, computer, or web browser.
- The change takes effect immediately across all Xbox services, but some games may take a few hours to show the new name.
- Your achievements, game progress, and friends list all stay with your account when you change your gamertag.
Change your gamertag on Xbox console
On your Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One, or older console, go to Settings, then Account, then Personalization. Select My Profile, then choose Customize Profile. You will see your current gamertag; select it to edit. Type your new name, check that it is available, and confirm the change.
The console will ask you to review the new name one more time before saving. Once you confirm, the change is live on your account immediately. If this is not your first gamertag change, the console will show you the cost and ask you to confirm the purchase before proceeding.
Change your gamertag on the Xbox app or website
On a phone, tablet, or computer, open the Xbox app or go to xbox.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select your profile icon in the top right corner, then choose Customize Profile or Edit Profile. Look for the option to change your gamertag (sometimes labeled Change Gamertag or Edit Gamertag). Type your new name and check availability.
The website and app will show you if the name is taken before you pay. If you have already used your free change, the cost will appear on screen. After you confirm and complete any payment, the new gamertag is active across all your Xbox services within minutes.
What happens to your old gamertag
When you change your gamertag, your old name becomes available for someone else to use after a short waiting period. Your account does not keep a record of previous gamertags visible to other players. However, your friends, your achievement history, and your game library all stay tied to your account under the new name.
Some games update your name immediately; others may take a few hours or even a day to show the change in-game. This depends on how often each game syncs with Xbox services. In the meantime, your gamertag is correct everywhere else: on your profile, in messages, and in Xbox's own systems.
Gamertag rules and what names are not allowed
Xbox has rules about what gamertags can contain. Your name cannot include profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. Names that impersonate real people, celebrities, or Xbox staff are not allowed. Gamertags with only numbers, only special characters, or spaces at the beginning or end will be rejected.
If you try a name and see "This gamertag is not available," it either is already taken, violates the rules, or contains a word Xbox's filter has flagged. Try a different variation. If you believe your desired name was rejected unfairly, you can contact Xbox Support, but the decision is final once made.
Cost of changing your gamertag after the first time
Your first gamertag change is free. Every change after that costs money. The price varies by region and currency, but typically ranges from a few dollars to around ten dollars depending on where you live. Xbox occasionally runs promotions where a change is free for a limited time; you can check the Xbox website to see if one is active.
The cost is charged to your Microsoft account payment method at the time you confirm the change. If you do not have a payment method on file, you will need to add one before you can proceed with a paid change. You cannot undo a change once it is complete, so make sure you want the new name before confirming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my games or achievements if I change my gamertag?
No. Your games, achievements, game progress, and all purchases stay with your account. Only the name visible to other players changes. Your account history and everything you have earned remains exactly the same.
Can I change my gamertag back to my old one?
Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it. After you change your gamertag, your old name becomes available to other players after a waiting period. If someone has taken it, you cannot use it again. If it is still available, you can change back to it, though you will pay the change fee again.
How long does it take for my new gamertag to show up in games?
Your gamertag changes immediately on Xbox services and your profile. In individual games, the change can take anywhere from a few minutes to a full day, depending on how often that game syncs with Xbox. If a game has not updated after 24 hours, restart the game or your console.
What if someone else took the gamertag I want?
You will need to choose a different name. Xbox does not reserve gamertags or hold them for players. If the name is taken, try adding numbers, underscores, or slight variations. You can also check back later in case the other player changes their name, but there is no way to know when or if that will happen.
Can I change my Microsoft account email instead of my gamertag?
Yes, but that is a separate process. Your Microsoft account email and your Xbox gamertag are different things. You can change your email through your Microsoft account settings without affecting your gamertag, or change your gamertag without changing your email. They are independent of each other.