Change your gamertag through your Microsoft account settings

You change your Xbox gamertag by going into your Microsoft account settings, not through the Xbox console itself. The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing the first time you do it. After that, each change costs 800 Microsoft Points (roughly $10 USD, though prices vary by region).

The fastest way is to sign into your Microsoft account on a computer or phone, go to your profile settings, find the gamertag option, and enter your new name. Xbox will check it against their filter for offensive language and reserved names, tell you immediately if it's available, and activate it within seconds if you confirm. Your old gamertag becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days.

If you're on the console itself, you can also change it there: go to Settings, then Accounts, then Your Info, then Gamertag. The steps are the same — enter the new name, pay if it's not your first change, and wait for confirmation. Some people find the website faster because you can see availability before you commit to paying.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first gamertag change is free; every change after that costs 800 Microsoft Points (about $10 USD in most regions).
  • You can change your gamertag through your Microsoft account on a computer, phone, or directly on your Xbox console.
  • Xbox checks your new name against a filter for offensive language and reserved names, and tells you instantly if it's taken.
  • Your old gamertag becomes available for others to claim 30 days after you change it, so don't expect to reclaim it later.
  • The change takes effect immediately once you confirm, and your friends will see your new name right away.

What names Xbox won't allow

Xbox has a filter that blocks gamertags containing profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. It also blocks names that are too similar to Xbox staff accounts or that impersonate real public figures. The filter is automated, so you won't get a detailed explanation if your name is rejected — it will just tell you the name isn't available.

Some common reasons a name gets blocked: it contains a slur even if you didn't intend it that way, it's a real person's name (especially celebrities or politicians), it looks like an Xbox employee account, or it includes numbers or symbols that spell out a blocked word. If your name is rejected and you think it shouldn't be, you can try slight variations — adding a number, changing the spelling, or using an underscore — but there's no appeal process to contest the filter's decision.

How to change your gamertag on mobile or web

On your phone or computer, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and click on your profile picture in the top right. Select "View profile" or "Manage your Microsoft account," then look for "Gamertag" or "Xbox profile." Click the option to change it, type your new name, and Xbox will show you instantly whether it's available.

If the name is available and it's your first change, you'll see a button to confirm at no cost. If it's not your first change, you'll be asked to pay 800 Microsoft Points before confirming. Once you confirm, the change is live immediately — your friends will see the new name in their friends list within seconds, and your achievement history and game library stay attached to your account.

Changing your gamertag on Xbox console

On your Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S, press the Xbox button to open the guide, then go to Profile & system > Settings > Account > Your info > Gamertag. You'll see a button to change it. Enter your new name, and Xbox will check availability in real time. If it's available and free (your first change), confirm and you're done. If you're paying, you'll be prompted to buy Microsoft Points if you don't have enough already.

The console method works the same way as the web method — the name is checked against the filter, you see availability before you pay, and the change takes effect immediately. Some players prefer the console because they're already there, but the web version is often faster if you're on a computer with a keyboard.

What happens to your old gamertag and game history

Your game library, achievements, and play history all stay with your Microsoft account no matter how many times you change your gamertag. Friends who had you on their list will see your new name automatically — you don't need to re-add each other. Messages you sent before the change will still show your old gamertag, but new messages will show the new one.

Your old gamertag becomes available for someone else to claim 30 days after you change it. If you think you might want it back, you have that window to change back to it for free. After 30 days, it's gone and you'd have to pay 800 Microsoft Points to use it again if it's still available. Some players hold onto old gamertags by changing back to them just before the 30-day mark expires.

Troubleshooting a gamertag that won't change

If you're getting an error when you try to change your gamertag, the most common causes are: you don't have enough Microsoft Points (check your account balance first), your account has a restriction on it (usually from a code of conduct violation), or Xbox services are temporarily down. Try signing out and back in, then attempt the change again.

If you have a parental control account (a child account), the parent account holder has to approve the change. Ask the parent to sign into their account and allow the change through their settings. If your account was restricted for a code of conduct violation, you'll need to wait for the restriction to expire — Xbox will tell you when that is if you try to change your gamertag and get blocked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my gamertag back to my old one after 30 days?

Yes, but you'll have to pay 800 Microsoft Points to do it, just like any other change after your first one. If someone else claimed your old gamertag during the 30-day window, it won't be available. Your best option is to change back to it before the 30 days are up, which is free.

Do my friends have to re-add me after I change my gamertag?

No. Your friends list updates automatically, and they'll see your new gamertag in their friends list within seconds. You stay in their friends list under your new name — there's nothing you or they need to do.

What if the gamertag I want is taken?

You'll see "not available" when you search for it. Try variations: add a number at the end, use an underscore, or change the spelling slightly. If the name you want is held by an inactive account, Xbox may eventually recycle it, but there's no way to request that or know when it might happen.

Will my achievements and game progress disappear if I change my gamertag?

No. Your achievements, game library, play time, and all progress stay attached to your Microsoft account. Changing your gamertag only changes the name that displays — everything else follows you.

Can I change my gamertag for free more than once?

Only your very first gamertag change is free. Every change after that costs 800 Microsoft Points. If you're unsure about a name, it's worth taking time to decide before you make that first free change.