Change your Xbox password through your Microsoft account settings
Your Xbox password is actually your Microsoft account password — the same one you use for Outlook, OneDrive, and Windows. To change it, you go to Microsoft's account website, not to Xbox itself. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you play on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, or cloud gaming.
You can change your password from any device with a web browser. You do not need to be on your Xbox console. Once you change it, you will be signed out of all your devices, and you will need to sign back in with your new password the next time you play.
Key Takeaways
- Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your current password, and select "Security" to find the password change option.
- Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your email or phone before you can set a new password.
- Your new password must be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol.
- After you change your password, sign out of your Xbox console and sign back in with the new password to confirm it works.
Step-by-step: changing your password on the Microsoft website
Open a web browser and go to account.microsoft.com. Click "Sign in" and enter the email address or phone number connected to your Xbox account, then enter your current password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will also need to enter a code sent to your phone or email.
Once you are signed in, look for the "Security" section on the left side of the page. Click "Change password" or "Update password" — the exact wording varies depending on your account setup. Microsoft will ask you to enter your current password one more time as a security check.
Enter your new password twice to confirm it matches. Microsoft requires passwords to be at least eight characters long and to include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol (like ! @ # $ % ^ & *). A password like MyXbox2024! would work; a password like xbox2024 would not.
Click "Next" or "Save" to confirm the change. Microsoft will send you a confirmation email to the address on file. You do not need to click anything in that email — it is just a receipt.
What happens to your Xbox console after you change your password
Your Xbox will sign you out automatically within a few hours, or you can sign out right away by going to Settings > Account > Sign out on your console. The next time you try to play, you will see a sign-in screen. Enter your email address and your new password, and you will be back in.
If you have multiple profiles on your Xbox, only the profile you changed the password for will be signed out. Other profiles will stay signed in until their passwords expire or you manually sign them out.
If you have Xbox Game Pass or an active subscription, it will stay active — changing your password does not cancel or pause your membership. Your game saves, achievements, and friends list will all be there when you sign back in.
Verify your identity if you cannot remember your current password
If you are locked out of your account, go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account?" instead of signing in normally. Microsoft will ask you to enter the email address or phone number on file, then send you a verification code.
You will need to prove you own the account by entering that code. Microsoft may also ask you security questions you set up when you created the account, or ask you to verify a recovery email address. Once you have proven your identity, you can set a new password without knowing the old one.
This process usually takes a few minutes, but if Microsoft cannot verify your identity through the automated steps, you may need to contact their support team. You can start a chat or call from the account recovery page.
Turn on two-factor authentication to protect your account
Two-factor authentication (also called 2FA) adds a second layer of security: even if someone learns your password, they cannot sign in without a code sent to your phone or email. This is especially useful if you have Game Pass, purchased games, or linked a payment method to your account.
To turn it on, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and go to Security > Advanced security options > Two-step verification. Choose whether you want codes sent to your phone (via text or authenticator app) or your email. Microsoft will send you a test code to make sure it works before you finish setting it up.
Once two-factor authentication is on, you will need to enter a code every time you sign in to Xbox from a new device. You can tell Xbox to remember a device for 30 days so you do not have to enter a code every single time you play at home.
Change your password if you think someone else knows it
If you suspect your account has been compromised — for example, you see purchases you did not make, or someone changed your email address — change your password when ready, then review your account activity. Go to account.microsoft.com > Security > Recent activity and look for sign-ins from places you do not recognize.
If you see suspicious activity, you can sign out all other devices from that same Recent activity page. This forces anyone else who was signed in to your account to sign out, and they will not be able to sign back in without your new password.
Check your payment methods and subscriptions to make sure nothing was added without your permission. If you find unauthorized charges, contact Microsoft support to report fraud and request a refund. Keep a record of the dates and amounts of any charges you did not make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change my password on the Xbox console itself?
No. You can only change your password through the Microsoft website at account.microsoft.com. The Xbox console does not have a password change option in its settings menu. You can use any device with a web browser.
Will changing my password delete my games or achievements?
No. Your games, achievements, friends list, and game saves are all tied to your account, not your password. They will be exactly where you left them when you sign back in with your new password.
How often should I change my Xbox password?
Microsoft does not require you to change your password on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you use the same password on multiple websites, or if you have not changed it in over a year. Two-factor authentication is more effective than frequent password changes.
What if I forget my new password right after changing it?
Go to account.microsoft.com and click "Can't access your account?" to start the recovery process. You will need to verify your identity using a code sent to your email or phone, then you can set another new password.
Can I use the same password for Xbox and my other Microsoft accounts?
Technically yes, because they are all the same account. But using the same password across multiple websites (Xbox, Outlook, OneDrive, Windows) means if one site is hacked, all your accounts are at risk. Use a unique password for your Microsoft account and different passwords for other services.