Change Your Username Through Xbox Settings

You change your Xbox username by going into your account settings on your console or through the Xbox website. The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing — Xbox lets you change your username once every 30 days at no charge. After that, each change costs $9.99.

The easiest route is through your console if you have one in front of you. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, then go to Profile & system > Settings > Account > Personal info > Gamertag. You will see a button that says Change gamertag. Select it, type your new username, and confirm.

If you do not have your console nearby, you can change it on the web at account.xbox.com. Sign in with your Microsoft account, select Personal info, then Manage your Microsoft account. Look for the Gamertag section and select Change gamertag. The steps are the same from there.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Xbox username once every 30 days for free, and each additional change within that period costs $9.99.
  • On your console, go to Profile & system > Settings > Account > Personal info > Gamertag > Change gamertag.
  • On the web, sign into account.xbox.com, go to Personal info > Manage your Microsoft account, and select Change gamertag.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready, but your old username stays reserved for 30 days in case you want to switch back.

What Happens to Your Old Username

When you change your gamertag, Xbox holds your old one for 30 days. During that time, nobody else can claim it, and you can change back to it for free if you decide the new one was a mistake. After 30 days, your old username becomes available for anyone to take.

Your friends list, achievements, game progress, and purchase history all stay attached to your account — they do not disappear when you change your name. People who had you added as a friend will still see you on their list, though your name will show the new gamertag.

Choosing a Username That Will Not Be Rejected

Xbox has rules about what usernames are allowed. Your new gamertag must be between 3 and 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and spaces. You cannot use symbols, underscores, or hyphens.

Xbox also blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. If you try to submit a name and it gets rejected, the system will tell you why — usually because it contains a blocked word or is already taken by someone else. Try a different variation and submit again.

Names that reference real people, celebrities, or brands are sometimes rejected too, though the rules are not always consistent. If you are trying to use a name that sounds like it might be flagged, add a number or space to it and see if that works.

Changing Your Username on Mobile or PC

If you play Xbox games on your phone or computer through Xbox Game Pass for PC or Xbox Cloud Gaming, you still change your gamertag through the same account settings — not through the game app itself. The username change applies to your entire Microsoft account, so it updates everywhere you use that account.

On a PC running Windows, you can also go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and look for the Xbox section, though the web method at account.xbox.com is usually faster. On mobile, you will need to use the web version since the Xbox app does not have a direct gamertag-change option.

If Your Username Change Does Not Go Through

The most common reason a username change fails is that the name is already taken. Xbox will tell you this when ready when you try to submit it. If you see that message, try adding a number to the end or using a space in the middle.

If the system says your name contains blocked content but you do not think it does, the word filter may be catching part of a longer word. For example, a name containing "bass" might be flagged because it contains a substring the filter blocks. Try removing or changing the letter that is causing the problem.

If you get an error message that does not explain what went wrong, wait a few minutes and try again — sometimes the Xbox servers are temporarily slow. If it keeps failing after several attempts, sign out of your account completely, sign back in, and try once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

Yes, but it costs $9.99 each time after your first free change per 30 days. If you change your gamertag on day 5 of the month, you can change it again for free on day 35, but any change between day 5 and day 35 will cost money.

Will my friends still see my old username?

No. Your friends will see your new username when ready in their friends list and in any games you play together. Your old username is only visible to you in your account history for 30 days.

What if someone takes my old username after 30 days?

Once the 30-day hold expires, your old username becomes available to anyone. You cannot reclaim it after that point. If you want to keep it, you can change back to it anytime during the 30-day window for free.

Do I need to change my password when I change my username?

No. Your password is separate from your gamertag and does not change. Your Microsoft account login stays the same — only the name that appears in games and on your profile changes.

Can I change my username if I have an active Xbox Game Pass subscription?

Yes. Your subscription is tied to your Microsoft account, not your gamertag, so changing your username does not affect Game Pass, your games, or your ability to play online.