You can change your Xbox username through your Microsoft account settings, and it takes about five minutes

Your Xbox username is tied to your Microsoft account, not to Xbox itself. That means you change it the same way you would change any other Microsoft account detail — through the account settings page on a computer or phone, or directly on your Xbox console. The process is straightforward, but there are a few things to know before you start: you can only change your username once every 30 days, and if you have an older account, you may need to set up a "display name" first.

The fastest route is usually through your Xbox console if you have one in front of you. If you do not, the Microsoft account website works just as well and takes the same amount of time.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Xbox username once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all your Microsoft services.
  • On your Xbox console, go to Settings, then Accounts, then Your Info, then Gamertag, and select Change Gamertag.
  • On a computer or phone, sign into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, select Your Info, then Gamertag, and choose Change Gamertag.
  • If you see "Display Name" instead of "Gamertag," your account is older and you need to set up a display name before you can change your username.
  • Changing your username does not affect your game saves, achievements, or friends list — those stay with your account.

Changing your username on your Xbox console

Start at the home screen and press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide menu. Select your profile icon in the top left corner, then choose Settings.

From Settings, go to Accounts, then Your Info. You will see an option for Gamertag — select it. Choose Change Gamertag, and you will be taken to a screen where you can type in your new username. Xbox will check whether the name is available as you type. If the name you want is taken, you will see a red X next to it; if it is available, you will see a green checkmark.

Once you have chosen an available name, select Confirm. You will be asked to review the change one more time before it goes live. After you confirm, your new username is active when ready on your console and across all your Microsoft accounts.

Changing your username on a computer or phone

Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account email and password. Select Your Info from the left menu.

Look for the Gamertag section on the page. If you see it, select Change Gamertag and type in your new username. Xbox will show you whether the name is available in real time. Once you have chosen a name that is free, select Confirm.

If you do not see a Gamertag section and instead see Display Name, your account is older and needs a display name set up first. Select Create Display Name, choose a name, and confirm it. After that, you will be able to change your gamertag using the same steps above.

What happens if your username is already taken

Xbox usernames are unique — no two people can have the same one. If the name you want is taken, you will see a red X next to it when you type it in. You will need to choose a different name or add numbers or special characters to make it unique.

Some older usernames may be held by inactive accounts. Xbox does not release these names back into circulation, so if a name is taken, it stays taken even if the account has not been used in years. Your best option is to pick a variation — for example, adding your birth year, a number, or an underscore.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This rule applies whether you change it on your console, on the Microsoft website, or through a mobile app. The 30 days starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when you start the process.

If you made a mistake and want to change your username back right away, you cannot — you will have to wait the full 30 days. For this reason, it is worth double-checking your new username before you confirm it.

What stays the same when you change your username

Your game saves, achievements, and game library do not move or change when you update your username. Friends will see your new name in their friends list, but your friendship with them remains intact. Any messages you sent before the change will still show your old username, but new messages will show your new one.

If you play games that use a separate in-game name or character name — like Fortnite or Minecraft — those names do not change automatically. You would need to update them separately within each game if you want them to match your new Xbox username.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only after 30 days have passed since your last change. Once the waiting period is over, you can change your username to anything available, including your old one. If someone else has taken your old username in the meantime, you will not be able to use it.

What if I forgot my Microsoft account password?

Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Can't access your account." Follow the prompts to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. Microsoft will walk you through resetting your password before you can sign in and change your username.

Does changing my Xbox username affect my email address?

No. Your email address and your username are separate. Changing your username does not change the email you use to sign into your Microsoft account, and changing your email does not change your Xbox username.

Can I have different usernames on different Xbox consoles?

No. Your Xbox username is tied to your Microsoft account, not to individual consoles. Whichever console you sign into with your account will show the same username everywhere.

What if the name I want has special characters or spaces?

Xbox usernames can include letters, numbers, and some special characters like underscores and hyphens, but not spaces. If you want to separate words, use an underscore or hyphen instead.