Change Your Username in the Xbox App on Your Phone
Open the Xbox app on your phone and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap your gamertag name at the top of the screen. You'll see an option that says "Edit profile" — tap that. Look for "Gamertag" and tap it. The app will show you whether your current name is available to change and take you through the steps to pick a new one.
The first change to a new gamertag is free. If you change it again later, Xbox charges a fee (the amount varies by region). The app will tell you the cost before you confirm. Your new name takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up in games and on your friends' screens.
If the app shows "You can't change your gamertag right now," it usually means you changed it within the last 30 days. Xbox enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes. You'll see the date you can change it again on the same screen.
Key Takeaways
- Tap your profile icon in the bottom right of the Xbox app, then tap your gamertag name to find the edit option.
- Your first gamertag change is free; any change after that costs money, which the app displays before you confirm.
- New names take effect when ready but may take a few minutes to appear in games and to your friends.
- If you changed your gamertag in the last 30 days, you must wait until that period ends before changing it again.
- The app will tell you exactly when you can change your name next if you are currently in the waiting period.
What Happens If Your Chosen Name Is Taken
When you type in a new gamertag, the app checks whether it's available. If someone else has it, the app says "That gamertag is taken" and won't let you proceed. You'll need to type in a different name.
If you have a specific name in mind and it's taken, you can try adding numbers or changing a letter slightly. The app will show you whether each variation is free. There's no waitlist or reservation system — if the name becomes available later, it goes to whoever claims it first.
Fixing Common Problems During the Change
If the app crashes or closes while you're changing your gamertag, your name hasn't changed yet. Close the app completely and open it again. Go back to your profile and try the change once more. The app will pick up where you left off.
If you see an error message like "Something went wrong," try these steps in order: first, make sure you're connected to WiFi or mobile data. Second, close the app and reopen it. Third, restart your phone. If the error persists, wait 15 minutes and try again — Xbox servers occasionally have brief outages that resolve on their own.
If the app says you don't have permission to change your gamertag, your account may have restrictions set by a parent or guardian. You'll need to contact the account owner to remove the restriction before you can proceed.
How to Change Your Gamertag on Xbox.com Instead
If the app isn't working, you can change your gamertag on a web browser instead. Go to xbox.com and sign in with your account. Click your profile picture in the top right, then click "My profile." Look for "Gamertag" and click "Edit." The steps are the same as in the app — type your new name, check availability, and confirm the change.
The web version and the app are connected to the same account, so a change made on one shows up on the other when ready. If you change your name on xbox.com, you don't need to do anything in the app — it updates on its own.
What Your New Gamertag Affects
Your gamertag is the name that appears to your friends, in multiplayer games, and on your Xbox profile. When you change it, that new name shows up everywhere you play — on Xbox consoles, the app, and on xbox.com. Your friends will see the new name the next time they look at their friends list.
Changing your gamertag does not change your email address, your password, or any of your game saves. Your achievements, game library, and friends list all stay exactly the same. The only thing that changes is the name people see.
Why the App Might Not Show the Edit Option
If you don't see "Edit profile" when you tap your gamertag, you may not be signed in to the app with the account you want to change. Tap your profile icon, scroll down, and look for "Sign out." Sign out, then sign back in with the correct account. After that, the edit option should appear.
Another reason the option might not show is that you're using a child account. Child accounts have restrictions that prevent gamertag changes through the app. A parent or guardian must change the child's gamertag from the parent's account on xbox.com, or they must remove the restriction first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my gamertag back to my old one?
Yes, but only after 30 days have passed since you changed away from it. If someone else claims your old name in the meantime, you won't be able to get it back. There's no way to reserve a name or put it on hold.
Do I have to pay to change my gamertag the first time?
No. Your first gamertag change is free. The app will not ask you for payment during your first change. Any change after that will cost money, and the app will show you the price before you confirm.
How long does it take for my new gamertag to show up in games?
Your new name takes effect when ready in the app and on xbox.com. In multiplayer games, it may take a few minutes to appear because games cache your old name. If you're still seeing your old name in a game after 10 minutes, restart the game and you should see the new one.
What if I change my mind right after changing my gamertag?
You can change it back, but you'll have to wait 30 days and pay the fee (if it's not your first change). The 30-day waiting period starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when it appears in games.
Can I use special characters or spaces in my gamertag?
No. Gamertags can only use letters, numbers, and no spaces. The app will reject any name with special characters like hyphens, underscores, or symbols. If you try to use them, you'll see an error message telling you what characters aren't allowed.