Change Your Username Through the Xbox App or Website

You can change your Xbox username directly through the Xbox app on your console, the Xbox app on Windows, or the Xbox website. The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days, so if you want to keep it reserved, you'll need to change back before that window closes.

On an Xbox console, go to Settings, then select your profile. Choose Customize profile, then select Gamertag. Type your new username — it must be between 3 and 15 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot contain spaces. Xbox will tell you when ready if the name is already taken. Once you confirm, the change takes effect right away across all your devices.

On a Windows PC, open the Xbox app, select your profile icon in the top right, then choose View profile. Select Edit profile, then select the pencil icon next to your gamertag. Enter your new username and confirm. If you prefer not to install the app, you can also change your gamertag at xbox.com by signing in, going to your profile, and selecting Edit gamertag.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Xbox username through your console, the Xbox app on Windows, or the Xbox website without paying anything.
  • Your new username must be 3 to 15 characters long, can include letters and numbers, and cannot have spaces.
  • The change takes effect when ready across all your devices and games.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use after 30 days, so change back within that window if you want to keep it.
  • You can change your username once per year for free; additional changes within the same year cost money.

What Happens to Your Games and Friends After You Change

Your game library, achievements, and saved data stay with your account — they do not disappear or reset when you change your username. Your friends list remains intact, and your friends will see your new username the next time they log in. You keep all your Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, balance in your Microsoft account, and any games you own.

In multiplayer games, your new username appears to other players when ready. In single-player games, your save files are tied to your account, not your username, so you can pick up where you left off without any loss. If you were in the middle of a ranked season in a competitive game, your rank and progress carry over to your new username.

Changing Your Username More Than Once Per Year

Xbox allows one free username change per year. If you want to change it again within the same 12-month period, you will need to pay a fee through the Xbox website. The cost varies by region, but it is typically a small amount. You can see the exact price for your location before you confirm the purchase.

To make a paid change, sign in at xbox.com, go to your profile, select Edit gamertag, enter your new username, and proceed to checkout. The payment goes through your Microsoft account balance or a linked payment method. The change takes effect when ready after payment clears.

Usernames That Will Not Work

Xbox blocks usernames that contain profanity, hate speech, or references to illegal activity. The system also rejects names that are too similar to existing Xbox staff accounts or that impersonate real public figures. If you try to create a username and it is rejected, Xbox will tell you the name violates the Code of Conduct, but it will not always specify why.

Names with spaces, special characters like hyphens or underscores, or more than 15 characters will not be accepted. If you see an error message saying the name is unavailable, it either means someone else already has it or it violates the content policy. Try a different variation and resubmit.

Changing Your Username on Older Xbox Accounts

If your account was created before Xbox Live existed or has been inactive for a very long time, you may see different options when you try to change your username. Some legacy accounts require you to migrate to a Microsoft account first. This is a one-time process that links your old Xbox Live account to a modern Microsoft account.

To migrate, go to account.microsoft.com, sign in with your Xbox credentials, and follow the prompts to link or create a Microsoft account. Once that is complete, you can change your username through the normal process. If you run into errors during migration, contact Xbox Support through the Xbox app or the Xbox website — they can walk you through it.

What to Do If Your Desired Username Is Taken

If the username you want is already in use, you have a few options. You can add numbers to the end of the name, use a different spelling, or choose a completely different username. Some players add their birth year, a favorite number, or an underscore variation to make a taken name unique.

You cannot reserve a username before you change to it, and you cannot put a username on a waitlist. The only way to get a specific name is to check back periodically and try again — if the person using it changes their username or their account becomes inactive, the name may eventually become available. There is no way to know when or if that will happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my friends still see my old username in their friends list?

No. Your friends will see your new username the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. Your old username disappears from their view when ready after you change it.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it. Your old username becomes available for others after 30 days, so if you want to switch back, do it within that window. After 30 days, someone else may have taken it, and you would not be able to reclaim it.

Does changing my username affect my Xbox Game Pass or subscriptions?

No. Your Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold, and any other subscriptions stay active and attached to your account. The username change does not interrupt your service or require you to renew anything.

What if I see an error message when I try to change my username?

The most common errors are that the name is already taken, contains blocked content, or your account has a restriction on it. If the error message is unclear, try a different username. If you keep getting errors on names that seem acceptable, contact Xbox Support — your account may have a temporary lock or other issue they can resolve.

Can I change my username on my phone?

You can view your profile on the Xbox app for iOS or Android, but you cannot change your gamertag from the phone app. You need to use the Xbox app on Windows, a console, or the Xbox website at xbox.com to make the change.