Xbox username changes cost $10 each time

Microsoft charges $9.99 to change your Xbox username through the Xbox app, Xbox.com, or an Xbox console. This is a one-time fee per change — if you want to change it again later, you pay another $10. There are no free username changes after your initial setup, and the fee applies whether you change it once or multiple times over the life of your account.

The charge goes to your Microsoft account payment method on file. If you don't have a payment method saved, you'll need to add one before you can complete the change. The fee is non-refundable once the name change is processed.

Key Takeaways

  • Each Xbox username change costs $9.99 and is charged to your Microsoft account payment method.
  • You can change your username through the Xbox app, Xbox.com, or directly on your console.
  • The change takes effect when ready, but your old username becomes available for others to claim after a short period.
  • Changing your username does not affect your Xbox Live Gold subscription, Game Pass, or any games you own.
  • If you've never changed your username before, you may have one free change available depending on when your account was created.

How to change your username on Xbox.com

Go to Xbox.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select your profile icon in the top right corner, then choose "My profile." Look for the option that says "Customize profile" or "Edit profile," then find "Gamertag" or "Username." Click the edit button next to it, type your new username, and review it for spelling and spacing before confirming.

After you confirm, the system will check whether the name is available. If it is, you'll see the $9.99 charge and a prompt to complete the purchase. Once you confirm the payment, your new username is active when ready. Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after a waiting period.

Changing your username on the Xbox app or console

On the Xbox app for Windows or the mobile app, open your profile, select "Customize profile," and find the gamertag option. The process is the same: type the new name, check availability, and pay the $9.99 fee.

On an Xbox console (Series X, Series S, Xbox One, or Xbox 360), go to Settings, then Account, then Gamertag. Select "Change gamertag," enter your new username, and confirm the purchase when prompted. The fee will be charged to your account's payment method.

What happens to your old username

Your old username does not stay reserved for you. After you change it, other players can claim it. The waiting period before it becomes available to others varies — sometimes it's when ready, sometimes it takes a few days. If you want to keep a username for sentimental reasons or to prevent someone else from using it, you should not change it.

Changing your username does not affect your friends list, your achievements, your game library, or any progress in games you play. Your friends will see your new username in their friends list, and your achievement history will still show under your account.

Whether you might have a free change

Some older Xbox accounts created before a certain date received one free username change. If your account qualifies, you may see an option to change your gamertag for free the first time. This is account-specific and depends on when you created your Microsoft account, not on how long you've owned an Xbox console.

The only way to know if you have a free change available is to attempt a change on Xbox.com or your console. If you're may be able to access, the system will show you the option before charging you. If you don't see a free option, the $9.99 fee applies.

Payment methods and billing

The $9.99 charge goes to whatever payment method is set as default on your Microsoft account — usually a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. If your payment method is declined or expired, the username change will not go through, and you'll need to update your payment information before trying again.

The charge appears on your statement as a Microsoft or Xbox transaction. It is separate from Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold, or any game purchases. If you dispute the charge or request a refund after the change is complete, Microsoft will typically deny it because the service has already been delivered.

Restrictions on usernames

Not every name you want is available. Xbox usernames must be between 3 and 15 characters, can include letters, numbers, and spaces, but cannot include special characters like hyphens or underscores. Names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people are rejected by the system. If you try to claim a name that violates these rules or is already taken, you'll see an error message and won't be charged.

You can try as many names as you want before you confirm the purchase — the $9.99 fee only charges when you actually complete the change. This means you can search for availability without risk until you find a name you want to keep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one for free?

No. Changing back to your old username costs another $9.99, just like any other change. Your old username is not reserved for you after you change it, so someone else may have claimed it. If they have, you cannot use it at all unless they change theirs first.

What if I change my mind right after paying?

Once the change is processed, refunds are not issued. The $9.99 fee is non-refundable. If you made a typo or changed your mind about the name, you would need to pay another $9.99 to change it again.

Do I need Xbox Live Gold to change my username?

No. You can change your username with just a Microsoft account, even if you don't have an active Xbox Live Gold subscription or Game Pass. The only requirement is a valid payment method on file to cover the $9.99 fee.

Will my friends still see me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list does not change, and your friends will see your new username when ready. Your old username is not tied to your account anymore, so they won't see it, but your account itself remains the same.

Can I change my username on mobile?

Yes, through the Xbox mobile app. The process is the same as on Xbox.com: go to your profile, select customize, find the gamertag option, enter your new name, and confirm the $9.99 charge. The change takes effect when ready on all devices.