The quickest way to change your username

Open the Xbox app on your phone, tap your profile picture in the top left corner, then select Profile. Tap Customize profile, then Gamertag. Enter your new username and tap Check availability to see if it's taken. If it's available, tap Save and confirm the change.

The whole process takes about two minutes. Your new username appears across all your Xbox devices within a few seconds — your console, the web version of Xbox, and any other phone or tablet where you're signed in.

One thing to know: you can change your gamertag for free once every 30 days. After that, Xbox charges 800 Microsoft Points (roughly $10 USD, though the exact price varies by region) for each additional change within a year. After a year has passed since your last change, you get one free change again.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first gamertag change every 30 days is free; changes after that cost 800 Microsoft Points each within a 12-month period.
  • The Xbox app checks whether your chosen username is available before you pay or confirm anything.
  • Your new username syncs across all devices where you're signed in within seconds.
  • Usernames can be 3 to 15 characters and cannot contain spaces, though they can include numbers and some symbols.
  • If you change your mind within 30 days, you can change back to your old username for free during that window.

What names Xbox will and won't allow

Xbox has rules about what characters you can use. Your username must be between 3 and 15 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, and these symbols: hyphen (-), underscore (_), and period (.). Spaces are not allowed, and Xbox blocks names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people's names without permission.

The app tells you when ready if a name breaks these rules — you'll see an error message before you even check availability. If you see "This gamertag isn't allowed," try removing numbers, changing the order of letters, or using a hyphen or underscore instead of a space.

Understanding the 30-day waiting period

After you change your username, you have to wait 30 days before you can change it again for free. This timer starts the moment you confirm your new gamertag, not when you first opened the app.

If you change your mind during those 30 days, you can change back to your old username without paying. After 30 days pass, changing to any username — including your old one — costs 800 Microsoft Points unless you wait a full year from your last paid change.

What happens to your old username

When you change your gamertag, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short delay. Xbox typically releases old usernames within a few hours, though it can take up to 24 hours in some cases.

Your game progress, achievements, and friends list all stay with your account. The change is purely cosmetic — your account ID (a long number behind the scenes) never changes, so games and services still recognize you as the same person.

Fixing problems if the change doesn't go through

If you tap Save and nothing happens, close the Xbox app completely and open it again. Sometimes the app needs a fresh start to process the change. Make sure you're connected to a stable internet connection — Wi-Fi or mobile data both work, but a weak signal can cause the request to time out.

If you see an error message saying "Something went wrong," wait a few minutes and try again. Xbox's servers occasionally experience brief delays, especially during peak hours. If the problem persists after three attempts, sign out of the app, sign back in, and try once more.

If you're charged 800 Microsoft Points but your username didn't change, contact Xbox Support through the app. Tap your profile picture, scroll down to Help & feedback, then Report a problem. Describe what happened, and support can refund the points or complete the change manually.

Changing your username on other devices

You can also change your gamertag on your Xbox console or through the Xbox website at xbox.com. The process is similar on all three: go to your profile, find the gamertag or username section, and follow the same steps. Whichever device you use, the change syncs everywhere else within seconds.

If you're signed into multiple devices and one of them shows your old username after a few minutes, sign out and sign back in. That forces the device to refresh your profile information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use spaces in my Xbox username?

No. Xbox usernames cannot contain spaces. You can use hyphens (-) or underscores (_) to separate words instead — for example, "cool-gamer" or "cool_gamer".

What if the username I want is already taken?

The app will tell you it's unavailable when you tap Check availability. You'll need to choose a different name. Try adding numbers, changing the spelling slightly, or using a hyphen or underscore.

Do I lose my games or friends if I change my username?

No. Your games, achievements, and friends list stay with your account. Only your display name changes. Your account ID (the number behind the scenes) never changes.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, within 30 days of your change for free. After 30 days, changing back costs 800 Microsoft Points unless a full year has passed since your last paid change.

Why does it say I need to wait 30 days?

Xbox limits free gamertag changes to once every 30 days to prevent abuse. After 30 days, you can change again, but additional changes within 12 months cost 800 Microsoft Points each.