Yes, you can change your Xbox One username, but there are limits
You can change your Xbox username on Xbox One, but Microsoft restricts how often you can do it. Your first change is free. After that, each change costs $9.99. You can change your username as many times as you want — there is no cap on the total number of changes — but you must wait 30 days between each paid change.
The change takes effect when ready across all your Xbox devices and services, including Xbox Live, your Microsoft account profile, and any games that use your Xbox username. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period.
Key Takeaways
- Your first username change on Xbox One is free, and every change after that costs $9.99.
- You must wait 30 days between paid changes, though you can change your display name (separate from your username) as often as you want at no cost.
- The change appears when ready on Xbox One, the Xbox app on Windows, and any online games tied to your account.
- Your old username becomes available for others to use after Microsoft releases it, which typically takes a few weeks.
How to change your username on Xbox One
Start on your Xbox One console. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, then navigate to your profile in the top left corner and select it. Choose Customize profile, then select Gamertag.
Xbox will show you your current username and a text field to enter a new one. Type the new username you want — it must be between 3 and 15 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot contain spaces or special characters. As you type, Xbox will tell you whether the name is available. Once you find one you want, select Check availability, then Confirm to complete the change.
If this is your first change, the process finishes when ready at no cost. If you have already used your free change, Xbox will ask you to pay $9.99 through your Microsoft account before the change goes through. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or Microsoft account balance.
The difference between username and display name
Xbox lets you set two different names: your gamertag (username) and your display name. Your gamertag is your unique identifier — it is what other players see in games and what you use to sign in. Your display name is what appears on your profile and in some games, and you can change it as often as you want at no cost.
If you want to change how your name looks without paying, change your display name instead. Go to your profile, select Customize profile, then Edit profile, and change the display name field. This change is when ready and free, though not all games will show it — some games use your gamertag regardless of what your display name says.
What happens to your old username
When you change your gamertag, your old one does not disappear when ready. Microsoft holds it for a period of time — usually a few weeks — before releasing it back into the pool of available names. During that time, no one else can claim it, and you cannot change back to it.
Any achievements, friends, and game progress tied to your account stay with your new gamertag. Games that saved your old username in their own records may still show it in old chat logs or match history, but your active profile will display your new name.
Changing your username on Xbox app for Windows
You can also change your username through the Xbox app on a Windows PC. Open the app and select your profile icon in the top right corner, then choose Profile. Select Customize profile and then Gamertag. The process is identical to Xbox One — enter your new username, check availability, and confirm the change. The same 30-day waiting period and $9.99 fee explore.
Changes made through the Xbox app sync to your Xbox One console within a few minutes, so you do not need to make the change on both devices.
Reasons your new username might be rejected
Xbox rejects usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. The system also blocks names that are too similar to existing usernames (to prevent impersonation), names that reference real public figures, and names that are already taken. If your chosen name is rejected, Xbox will tell you why and let you try another one.
Names that are offensive but not obvious may pass the initial check and be rejected later if other players report them. If this happens, Microsoft will contact you and ask you to change your gamertag again. You will not be charged for a forced change due to a policy violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to my old one?
Not when ready. Microsoft holds your old gamertag for a few weeks before releasing it. Once it is released, you can claim it again, but you will pay $9.99 for the change just like any other paid change. You cannot change back within 30 days of your last change anyway.
Do I lose my games or achievements if I change my username?
No. Your games, achievements, friends list, and game progress all stay with your account. Only your username changes — everything else tied to your Microsoft account moves with you.
What if I change my username and a game still shows my old name?
Some games store your old username in their own records and do not update automatically. Contact the game's support team if this happens. Most modern games pull your current gamertag from Xbox Live and update within a few hours.
Can I change my username on mobile?
You cannot change your gamertag through the Xbox mobile app. You must use an Xbox One console, the Xbox app on Windows, or the Xbox website. Go to account.xbox.com, sign in, and navigate to your profile settings to change it online.
What if my username is taken by someone else?
Try a variation — add a number, a letter, or an underscore. If the exact name you want is taken and the person is not using it, you cannot force them to release it. You can report the account to Xbox if you believe the username violates policy, but Microsoft will not remove it just because you want it.