Change your Xbox username through your Microsoft account settings

You change your Xbox username by logging into your Microsoft account online, not through the Xbox console itself. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with the email and password you use for Xbox, and navigate to your profile settings. From there, you can edit your gamertag — the name that appears to other players — directly. The change takes effect immediately across all Xbox services and games.

You have one free gamertag change every 30 days. After that, each additional change costs $9.99. If you have never changed your gamertag before, your first change is always free, regardless of when you created the account.

The process works the same whether you play on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or through Xbox Game Pass on PC. Your gamertag is tied to your Microsoft account, so changing it in one place changes it everywhere you use that account.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account email and password to reach your profile settings.
  • Your first gamertag change is free; changes after that cost $9.99 each and are limited to one per 30 days.
  • The new gamertag appears immediately on your Xbox console, in games, and on the Xbox app for Windows.
  • You cannot change your gamertag to one that is already taken, contains profanity, or violates Xbox Community Standards.
  • If you forget which email is linked to your Xbox account, use the Xbox Support website to look it up before attempting to sign in.

Step-by-step process to edit your gamertag

Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Click "Sign in" and enter the email address associated with your Xbox account, then your password. If you use two-factor authentication, complete that step when prompted.

Once signed in, look for "Your info" or "Profile" in the left menu. Click on it, then select "Manage your Microsoft account" or "Edit profile." Find the section labeled "Gamertag" or "Xbox profile name." Click the edit button next to it, type your new gamertag in the text field, and click "Check availability" to confirm no one else is using it. If it is available, click "Save" to confirm the change.

The new name appears on your Xbox console within a few minutes. You may need to sign out and sign back in to see it reflected immediately in games or on your friends' screens.

Rules for what you can name yourself

Xbox gamertags must be between 3 and 15 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, and spaces, but not special characters like hyphens, underscores, or symbols. The name cannot start or end with a space.

Microsoft blocks gamertags that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. Names that impersonate real people, celebrities, or Xbox staff are also rejected. If you try to use a name that violates these rules, the system will tell you it is unavailable and suggest you try a different one.

If your current gamertag was created years ago and now violates these standards, Xbox may force you to change it. You will receive a notification on your console or through email if this happens, and you will have a set period to choose a new one before Xbox assigns one for you.

What happens if you change your mind

You can change your gamertag again after 30 days have passed since your last change. The 30-day timer starts from the moment you saved the new name, not from when you initiated the change. You can check when your next free change becomes available by going back to account.microsoft.com and looking at your profile settings.

If you change your gamertag and immediately regret it, you cannot undo the change directly. However, if fewer than 30 days have passed, you can pay $9.99 to change it again right away. There is no option to revert to a previous gamertag unless no one else has claimed it in the meantime.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see an error message saying "This gamertag is unavailable" even though you think it should be free, the name may already be taken or it may contain a word or pattern that Xbox blocks automatically. Try a slight variation — add a number, use a different spelling, or shorten it — and check availability again.

If you cannot sign into account.microsoft.com, make sure you are using the correct email address. Some people have multiple Microsoft accounts. Check your Xbox console under Settings > Account to see which email is actually linked to your profile. If you have forgotten the password, use the "Can't access your account" link on the Microsoft sign-in page to reset it.

If your gamertag changed without your permission, your account may have been compromised. Change your Microsoft password immediately and enable two-factor authentication if you have not already. Then contact Xbox Support through support.xbox.com to report the unauthorized change.

How your gamertag appears across Xbox services

Your gamertag is the name other players see when you are in multiplayer games, on leaderboards, and in Xbox Live parties. It also appears on your Xbox profile page, which anyone can view if they search for you. Your real name — the one you registered with Microsoft — stays private unless you choose to share it.

Some games display your gamertag differently than others. A few older games may show a shortened version or a legacy name if you created your account before 2010. In those cases, the game itself controls the display, but your official gamertag in Xbox services remains what you set it to be.

If you play through Xbox Game Pass on PC or through the Xbox app on Windows, your gamertag is the same one you use on console. Friends and party members see the same name regardless of which device you are playing on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my gamertag on my Xbox console without going online?

No. You must use a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com to change your gamertag. The Xbox console itself does not have a built-in option to change it. You can manage your account settings from the console, but the actual gamertag edit must happen online.

What if the gamertag I want is taken?

If someone else is using it, you cannot have it. Try adding a number at the end, using a different spelling, or choosing a different name altogether. The availability checker will tell you immediately whether a name is free or taken.

Do I lose my games or achievements if I change my gamertag?

No. Your games, achievements, game saves, and friends list all stay with your account. Only the name displayed changes. Your account history and progress remain exactly the same.

How long does it take for my new gamertag to show up everywhere?

It usually appears within a few minutes on your console and in Xbox services. Some games may take longer to update — up to an hour in rare cases — but this is uncommon. If it has been more than an hour and you still see the old name in a specific game, try signing out and signing back in.

Can I change my gamertag back to my old one if someone else takes it?

If your old gamertag is taken by someone else, you cannot reclaim it. You would need to choose a different name. This is why some people change their gamertag, regret it, and find their original name is no longer available.