Yes, you can change your Xbox username, but there are limits

You can change your Xbox username once every 30 days. The first change is free; after that, each change costs $9.99. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days, so if you want it back later, you may not be able to get it.

The change takes effect when ready across all your Xbox devices and services — your console, the Xbox app on PC, your profile on Xbox.com, and any games that use your Xbox Live account. Some games may still show your old name in their own systems if they store it separately, but your official Xbox identity changes right away.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Xbox username once every 30 days, with the first change free and subsequent changes costing $9.99 each.
  • The change happens when ready across all Xbox services, though some individual games may take longer to update their own records.
  • Your old username becomes available to other players after 30 days, so you cannot straightforward reclaim it later without paying.
  • You need to change your username through Xbox.com or your console settings — you cannot change it through individual games.
  • If you have a child account, the parent or guardian must make the change through the family settings.

How to change your username on Xbox.com

Go to Xbox.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select My Profile. On your profile page, look for the option to edit your profile or change your gamertag — the exact wording varies, but it is usually near your current username at the top of the page.

Click that option and type your new username. Xbox will check whether it is available and show you the cost (free for your first change, $9.99 after that). Review the name one more time before confirming, because once you pay or use your free change, the old name is locked to you for 30 days and you cannot undo it when ready.

How to change your username on your Xbox console

Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Go to Profile & System, then select Settings. Choose Account, then Profile, then Customize Profile. You should see an option for your gamertag or username near the top.

Select it, type your new name, and confirm. The console will show you whether the name is available and what it will cost. After you confirm the change, it rolls out to all your devices within a few minutes.

What happens to your old username

Your old username is yours alone for 30 days after you change it. During that time, no one else can take it, and you can change back to it for free if you change your mind within the 30-day window. After 30 days, the old name enters a pool that anyone can claim.

This means if you change your username and then want your original name back six months later, someone else may have already taken it. If that happens, you would need to choose a different name or wait to see if that person abandons it — which is not may provide.

Changing a child account username

If the account belongs to a child in your family group, you cannot change the username through the child's own settings. Instead, go to Xbox.com, sign in as the parent or guardian, and go to Family Settings. Find the child's account and look for the option to manage their profile or gamertag.

The process is the same from there — you choose a new name, check availability, and confirm the change. The cost is the same: free for the first change, $9.99 for each one after that. The 30-day waiting period between changes applies to the account itself, not to who is making the change.

Why your new username might not show up in a game

Some games store your username in their own database separate from your Xbox Live account. When you change your Xbox username, the game may not update its records automatically. You might see your old name in that game's leaderboards, chat, or profile for days or weeks.

This is not a problem with your Xbox account — it is how that particular game works. If you want your new name to show up in a game faster, check whether the game has a setting to sync your profile or refresh your account information. Some games update overnight; others update only when you restart them or log out and back in.

If you cannot change your username

The most common reason you cannot change your username is that you changed it less than 30 days ago. Check when your last change was by going to your profile on Xbox.com and looking at your account history or recent changes. If the 30 days have not passed, you have to wait.

Another reason might be that your account has a restriction or suspension. If Xbox has flagged your account for a violation, you may not be able to change your username until the restriction is lifted. Check your account status on Xbox.com under Account and Enforcement to see whether any restrictions are active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to change my Xbox username the first time?

No. Your first username change is free. Every change after that costs $9.99. The free change does not expire — you get one free change per account, ever, regardless of when you use it.

What if someone else takes my old username after 30 days?

Once the 30-day hold expires, your old username is available to anyone. If someone claims it, you cannot get it back unless they abandon it later. You would need to choose a different username or wait indefinitely.

Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. Xbox enforces a 30-day minimum between changes. If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed since your last change, the system will tell you when you are may be able to access to change again.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list does not break when you change your username. They will see your new name the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. You remain in their friends list under your new name.

Can I change my username if my account is suspended?

Not while the suspension is active. You have to wait until the suspension is lifted. Check your enforcement status on Xbox.com to see when your account restrictions end.