The quickest way to change your username

Open the Xbox app on your phone or tablet, tap your profile picture in the top right 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 new name appears in your profile when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up in games and on other players' screens.

The process is the same whether you're on iOS or Android. You'll need to be signed into your Microsoft account in the Xbox app, and you must have an active internet connection. If the app doesn't show a Customize profile option, make sure you've updated to the latest version from your device's app store.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your gamertag through your profile settings in the Xbox app, not through a separate website or menu.
  • The name must be available — the app checks this before you save, so you'll know right away if someone else has it.
  • Your new username shows up when ready in the app but may take a few minutes to sync across Xbox Live and in-game.
  • You can change your gamertag once every 30 days at no cost; additional changes within that window cost money.

What happens if your chosen name is already taken

When you tap Check availability, the app tells you whether the name is free. If it's taken, you'll see a message saying the gamertag is unavailable. You then have to choose a different one and check again.

If you want a very common name, try adding numbers, underscores, or slight variations. Xbox allows spaces and special characters like hyphens and periods in gamertags, which can help you claim a version of a name you want. The app shows you suggestions based on what you typed, so scroll through those options before you invent something entirely new.

Understanding the 30-day change window

Microsoft lets you change your gamertag once every 30 days for free. This means if you changed your name yesterday, you cannot change it again until 30 days have passed. The timer starts from the date you made the last change, not from the calendar month.

If you want to change your name again before 30 days are up, you can do so, but it will cost money — the price varies by region but is typically a few dollars. The Xbox app will show you the cost before you confirm the change, so you won't be surprised at checkout.

Why the app might not let you change your name

If the Customize profile option doesn't appear, your account may not have permission to change the gamertag yet. New accounts sometimes have a waiting period before this feature unlocks, usually a few days to a week. Child accounts linked to a parent account may also have restrictions — the parent can adjust these settings in their own Xbox app under Family settings.

Another reason the option might be missing: you're not signed in with the account that owns the gamertag. Make sure you're logged into the correct Microsoft account. If you're trying to change someone else's gamertag, you need to sign in as that person or have parental control access to their account.

How to see your change before you confirm it

After you enter a new gamertag and tap Check availability, the app shows you exactly what the name will look like in your profile. Take a moment to read it as it appears — capitalization, spacing, and special characters all show up in this preview. This is your chance to catch typos or realize the name looks different than you expected.

Once you tap Save, the change is final. You cannot undo it, though you can change it again after 30 days. So if you notice a mistake in the preview, go back and fix it before you confirm.

What changes and what stays the same

Your gamertag is your visible username across Xbox Live. When you change it, your friends see the new name, your achievements stay attached to your account, and your game progress doesn't disappear. Your Microsoft account email address, password, and payment methods do not change — only the name that shows up in games and on your profile.

Some games may take longer to show your new name than others. Older games or games that don't connect to Xbox Live may still show your old gamertag for a while. This is normal and usually resolves within a few hours to a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my gamertag back to my old one?

Yes, but only after 30 days have passed since you changed it the first time. If you change your name and then want to switch back, you have to wait the full 30-day window. After that, you can change it to your old name for free if no one else has claimed it in the meantime.

What if I forgot which email is linked to my Xbox account?

Open the Xbox app, tap your profile picture, and look at the email shown under your account name. That's the Microsoft account tied to your gamertag. If you don't remember the password, you can reset it through the Microsoft account recovery page on a web browser.

Do I have to pay to change my name the first time?

No. Your first gamertag change is free, and you get one free change every 30 days after that. Only changes made within the 30-day window cost money.

Will my friends still see my old name in their friends list for a while?

Your new name should appear in their friends list within a few minutes, but sometimes it takes up to an hour depending on their connection and when their app last synced. If they still see your old name after an hour, they can try closing and reopening the Xbox app to refresh it.