Change your password through the Xbox app or website
You change your Xbox password by signing into your Microsoft account online, not through your console. The fastest route is the Xbox app on Windows or the web browser at account.microsoft.com. You will need to know your current password or have access to the email or phone number tied to your account.
Your Xbox console itself does not store your password — it stores a token that lets you stay signed in. Changing your password on the web invalidates all those tokens, so you will be signed out everywhere and need to sign back in on each device. This is intentional: it locks out anyone who may have stolen your password.
Key Takeaways
- Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your current credentials, and select "Security" to find the password change option.
- You will be signed out of your Xbox console, phone, and any other device after you change your password and must sign back in manually.
- If you do not remember your current password, use the "Can't access your account" link on the sign-in page to verify your identity through email or phone.
- Changing your Xbox password does not change your Windows password or any other Microsoft service password unless you use the same account for all of them.
Step-by-step: changing your password on the web
Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with your email address and current password. Once you are logged in, look for "Security" in the left menu — it may say "Security info" depending on your account type.
Select "Change password" or "Password" from the security options. You will be asked to enter your current password again for confirmation. Type your new password twice to make sure there are no typos. Microsoft requires at least eight characters, and it should include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like "BlueSky#2024Home" is stronger than "password123".
Click "Next" or "Save". The system will confirm the change and sign you out. You will see a message saying your password has been updated. Close the browser or wait a few seconds — you are now signed out of your account across all devices.
Signing back into your Xbox console after the change
Go to your Xbox console and select your profile. The system will ask you to sign in again. Enter your email address and your new password. The console will verify the credentials with Microsoft's servers and sign you back in.
If you have multiple profiles on the console, each one will need to sign in separately the next time it is used. Only the profile whose password you changed will be signed out when ready — other profiles stay signed in until they are used.
What to do if you forgot your current password
Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Sign in" at the top. Below the password field, click "Can't access your account?" or "Forgot my password". Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address or phone number.
You will then choose how to verify your identity: through a code sent to your recovery email, a code sent to your phone number, or by answering security questions you set up earlier. Once you verify, you can create a new password without knowing the old one. This new password will also sign you out of all devices.
Changing your password on the Xbox app for Windows or mobile
Open the Xbox app on your Windows PC or the Xbox app on your phone. Select your profile icon in the top right corner and choose "Account" or "Settings". Look for "Security" or "Password".
The app will direct you to the web version of account.microsoft.com in a browser window. You cannot change your password directly in the app — it always routes you to the web for security reasons. Follow the same steps as the web method above.
Why you get signed out everywhere after changing your password
When you change your password, Microsoft invalidates all active sign-in tokens on your account. A token is a digital key that lets your console, phone, or computer stay signed in without re-entering your password every time. By erasing all tokens, Microsoft makes sure that if someone else had your old password, they can no longer use it to access your account on any device.
This is a security feature, not a bug. It means you have to sign back in manually, but it also means a stolen password stops working when ready. If you see a device you do not recognize still trying to sign in after you change your password, that is a sign someone else had access — change your password again and consider enabling two-factor authentication.
Setting up two-factor authentication for extra security
After you change your password, consider adding two-factor authentication to your account. Go to account.microsoft.com, select "Security", and look for "Two-step verification" or "Two-factor authentication". You can choose to receive a code by text message, email, or through the Microsoft Authenticator app.
With two-factor authentication turned on, anyone trying to sign into your account — even with the correct password — will need to enter a code from your phone or email. This stops someone who has your password from getting in. You will need to enter the code when you sign in on a new device, but not every time you use a device you have already verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my Xbox password also change my Windows password?
No. If you use the same Microsoft account for both Xbox and Windows, they share a password, so changing one changes the other. But the change only affects that one account. If you have a separate Windows password, it stays the same.
Will I lose my games or achievements if I change my password?
No. Your games, achievements, and game saves are tied to your account, not your password. Changing your password does not touch any of that data. You will still see everything when you sign back in.
How often should I change my Xbox password?
There is no rule that says you must change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another website that got hacked, or if you have not changed it in several years. Two-factor authentication is often more useful than frequent password changes.
What if I change my password but still cannot sign into my console?
Wait a few minutes — it can take time for the change to sync across Microsoft's servers. Make sure you are typing your email address and new password correctly, with no extra spaces. If it still does not work after 15 minutes, try signing in on the web at account.microsoft.com to confirm the password works there first.
Can I change my password on the Xbox console itself?
No. The console does not have a password change option in its settings. You must go to account.microsoft.com or use the Xbox app on a computer or phone. This is by design — it prevents someone with physical access to your console from changing your password.