You can change your Xbox username through the Xbox app or your Microsoft account settings, and the process takes about five minutes
Your Xbox username is tied to your Microsoft account, so changing it means going into your account settings rather than into the Xbox console itself. You have two routes: change it directly from the Xbox app on your console or computer, or change it through your Microsoft account online. Both lead to the same place and take roughly the same amount of time. The change takes effect when ready across all your devices.
Before you start, know that you can change your username once for free. After that, each change costs $9.99. You also cannot use a name that is already taken, contains profanity, or violates Xbox's code of conduct — the system will tell you if your choice is blocked before you pay.
Key Takeaways
- Your first username change is free; changes after that cost $9.99 each and process when ready.
- You can change your username from the Xbox app, the Xbox console, or your Microsoft account settings online — all three methods reach the same system.
- The new name takes effect when ready on your console, your profile, and any games you play online.
- If your chosen name is already taken or violates Xbox's code of conduct, the system blocks it before charging you.
- Your old username becomes available for someone else to use after you change it.
Changing your username from the Xbox app on Windows or Mac
Open the Xbox app on your computer and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select your profile icon in the top right corner, then choose "View profile." On your profile page, look for your gamertag (your current username) and select "Edit profile" or the pencil icon next to it.
Type your new username into the field. The system checks in real time whether the name is available — you will see a green checkmark if it is free or a red X if it is taken or blocked. Once you have chosen an available name, select "Save" or "Change gamertag." If this is your first change, it will process for free. If you have changed your username before, you will be asked to confirm the $9.99 charge before the change goes through.
Changing your username from your Xbox console
Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Navigate to your profile (the top left of the guide menu) and select "View profile." Choose "Customize profile" and then select your gamertag. You will see an option to "Change gamertag" — select it.
Enter your new username and the system will show you whether it is available. Confirm your choice, and if you have already used your free change, review the $9.99 charge before completing the transaction. The new name appears on your console and your online profile within seconds.
Changing your username through Microsoft account settings online
Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Select "Your info" in the left menu, then look for "Manage your Microsoft account" or "Account settings." Find the section labeled "Xbox profile" or "Gaming" and select "Edit gamertag" or "Change gamertag."
Enter your new username and check availability. If this is your first change, select "Change for free." If you have changed before, you will see the $9.99 option. Complete the transaction, and your new username will be live across all your devices within a few minutes.
What happens to your old username after you change it
Your old username does not stay reserved for you. Once you change it, that name becomes available for any other Xbox user to claim. If you change your mind later, you cannot reclaim your old username — someone else may have already taken it. This is why it is worth thinking through your new name before you confirm the change.
Your friends list, your achievements, your game library, and your account history all stay with your account. Only the display name changes. People who had you added as a friend will see your new username the next time they log in.
Reasons the system might block your username choice
Xbox blocks usernames for three main reasons: the name is already taken by another player, the name contains profanity or slurs, or the name violates Xbox's code of conduct in some other way (for example, impersonating a real person or a public figure). The system tells you which reason applies before you are charged.
If your first choice is blocked, try a variation — adding numbers, changing the spelling slightly, or using a different word altogether. There is no limit to how many names you can check for availability before you decide to pay for a change.
Troubleshooting if your change does not go through
If you paid for a username change but it did not process, check your internet connection and try again from a different device (console, app, or web browser). If the charge went through but your new name did not appear, sign out of your account completely and sign back in — sometimes the display takes a few minutes to update across all your devices.
If you were charged but the system rejected your username as unavailable after you paid, contact Xbox Support through support.xbox.com. Provide your receipt and the username you attempted to change to. Support can refund the charge or help you complete the change with a different name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Not if someone else has already claimed it. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available to any player. If you want to use it again and it is taken, you would have to wait for that player to change their name, which could be never. Choose your new name carefully.
Do I have to pay $9.99 every time I change my username?
Your first change is free. Every change after that costs $9.99. There is no limit to how many times you can change it, but each one after the first will have a charge. The fee goes to Microsoft, not to Xbox or your game publisher.
Will my friends see my new username right away?
Yes. Your new username appears on your profile and in your friends' friend lists within a few minutes. They will see it the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. Your old username will no longer appear anywhere.
What if the username I want is taken but the person is not using their account anymore?
Xbox does not free up usernames from inactive accounts. A name stays reserved to that account even if the person has not played in years. Your only option is to choose a different name.
Can I change my username on my phone?
You can change it through the Xbox app on your phone if you have the app installed, or through account.microsoft.com in your phone's browser. The process is the same as on a computer — sign in, find your profile, and select the option to change your gamertag.