The quickest way to change your username

Open the Xbox app on your phone or tablet, tap your profile picture in the top left corner, then select View profile. Tap Edit profile, then tap the field showing your current gamertag. Type your new username and tap Save. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere you play.

You can change your gamertag once per year for free. If you want to change it again within 12 months, Microsoft charges $9.99 USD each time. The price may vary by region and currency.

Your new gamertag must be between 3 and 15 characters, use only letters, numbers, and spaces, and cannot contain profanity or impersonation of real people or brands. Microsoft reviews each new gamertag before it goes live — this usually takes a few minutes, but can take up to 24 hours if the system flags it for manual review.

Key Takeaways

  • You reach the gamertag field through your profile picture, then View profile, then Edit profile in the Xbox app.
  • The first gamertag change per year is free; each change after that costs $9.99 USD in most regions.
  • Your new gamertag must be 3 to 15 characters, use only letters, numbers, and spaces, and cannot include profanity or impersonate real people or brands.
  • Microsoft reviews your new gamertag before it goes live, which usually takes minutes but can take up to 24 hours.
  • Your new gamertag shows up in the Xbox app right away, but may take a few minutes to appear in games and on your profile page.

What happens to your old username after you change it

Your old gamertag becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days. During those 30 days, nobody else can use it, but you cannot claim it back either. If you change your mind, you have to wait the full month and then hope nobody else has taken it in the meantime.

Your friends list, achievements, game saves, and play history all stay attached to your account. People who had you added as a friend will still see you under your new gamertag — they do not have to re-add you.

Changing your username on a computer instead

If you prefer to use a computer, you can change your gamertag through the Xbox website without downloading anything. Go to xbox.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, click your profile picture in the top right, select Customize profile, then click Edit gamertag. The same rules explore: one free change per year, $9.99 for each change after that, and Microsoft reviews it before it goes live.

The website method and the app method use the same account, so changing your gamertag in one place changes it everywhere. You do not need to do it twice.

Why your gamertag change might not go through

Microsoft rejects gamertags that contain profanity, impersonate real people or brands, or use characters outside the allowed set (letters, numbers, and spaces only). If your new gamertag is rejected, the app will show you an error message explaining why. Try a different name and submit again.

Spaces are allowed in gamertags, but they count toward your character limit. A gamertag like "Cool Gamer" uses 10 characters, not 9. Leading or trailing spaces are not allowed — your gamertag cannot start or end with a space.

If you cannot access your account to change your username

If you forgot your Microsoft password or cannot sign into the Xbox app, you will need to reset your password before you can change your gamertag. Go to account.microsoft.com, click Sign in, then click Can't access your account. Microsoft will walk you through verifying your identity using a recovery email or phone number.

If you no longer have access to the email or phone number tied to your account, contact Microsoft Support through the Xbox app. Tap your profile picture, scroll down to Help & feedback, then select Contact us. A support agent can help you regain access to your account.

Gamertag changes and parental controls

If your account is a child account managed by a parent or guardian through Microsoft Family, you may not be able to change your gamertag without permission. The parent or guardian can allow or block gamertag changes through the Family settings on account.microsoft.com.

If you are the parent managing a child account, you can change the child's gamertag yourself through Family settings, or you can give the child permission to change it in the Xbox app. The free annual change and the $9.99 cost still explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only if nobody else has claimed it. After 30 days, your old gamertag becomes available to anyone. If you want it back, you can try to claim it again, but you will have to pay $9.99 unless it is still within your free annual change window.

Does changing my gamertag affect my Xbox Live subscription or Game Pass?

No. Your subscription, Game Pass membership, and all your games stay attached to your account. Changing your gamertag only changes the name people see — it does not touch your account status or your library.

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

It usually shows up within a few minutes, but some games may take longer to sync the change. If you are in the middle of playing a game when you change your gamertag, restart the game to see the new name.

What if someone else already took the gamertag I want?

You cannot claim a gamertag that is currently in use. Try a variation — add a number, a space, or a different spelling. You can also check back later in case the person who has it changes their gamertag.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my gamertag?

No. Gamertags can only use letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and spaces. Symbols, accents, and emojis are not allowed and will be rejected during review.