You can change your Xbox username directly from your console or through the Xbox website

Your Xbox username is the gamertag that appears when you play online. You can change it from your Xbox One console itself, or log into your Microsoft account online and change it there. Both methods take about five minutes. You get one free username change; after that, each change costs money through Microsoft.

The console method works if you are already signed in. The website method works from any computer or phone, and you do not need your Xbox nearby. Either way, your new gamertag takes effect when ready across all your games and your profile.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your gamertag from the Xbox One home screen under your profile settings, or by logging into your Microsoft account online.
  • Your first gamertag change is free; any change after that costs money, which varies by region.
  • The new name appears right away on your profile and in all your games, but friends may need to refresh their friend list to see it.
  • You cannot use a gamertag that is already taken, contains profanity, or violates Xbox's code of conduct.
  • If you change your mind within 30 days, you can change back to your old gamertag for free one time.

Changing your gamertag from the Xbox One console

Start at the Xbox One home screen. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide menu on the left side of the screen. Scroll up to your profile picture and gamertag at the top, then press A to open your profile.

Select Customize profile. You will see several options; choose Change gamertag. The console will show you your current name and a text box where you can type a new one. Type the name you want, then press A or click the confirm button.

Xbox will check whether the name is available. If it is taken or breaks Xbox's content rules, you will see a message saying so, and you can try another name. If the name is available and this is your first change, you will see "Free" next to the cost. Press A to confirm the change. Your new gamertag is live when ready.

Changing your gamertag through the Xbox website

Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Xbox. Click Your info on the left side, then look for the section labeled Gamertag. Click Edit next to it.

Type your new gamertag in the box that appears. Xbox will show you whether the name is available as you type. If the name is taken or violates content rules, you will see a red X and cannot proceed. Once you have a name that works, click Save. The change takes effect right away on your Xbox and your profile.

What happens to your old gamertag and friends list

When you change your gamertag, your old name becomes available for someone else to use after a short delay. Your friends list does not change — the people following you will still see you as a friend. However, their friend list may show your old name until they refresh it or restart their console.

All your game progress, achievements, and saved games stay with your account. Your new gamertag appears on all of them. If you played games that track leaderboards or statistics under your old name, those records stay attached to your account under your new name.

The cost of changing your gamertag more than once

Microsoft gives you one free gamertag change. If you want to change it again, you will pay a fee each time. The cost varies by region and currency; you can see the exact price before you confirm the change on either the console or the website.

There is one exception: if you change your gamertag and then change it back to your original name within 30 days, the second change is free. After 30 days, changing back to your old name costs the same as any other change.

Gamertags that Xbox will not allow

Xbox blocks gamertags that are already in use by another player. It also blocks names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. Names that impersonate real people, celebrities, or Xbox staff are not allowed. Names that are sexually explicit or promote hate are blocked as well.

If you try a name and see a message that it violates the code of conduct, Xbox will not tell you which specific rule it breaks. You will need to try a different name. If you believe a name was blocked by mistake, you can contact Xbox Support through your account settings, though they rarely overturn these decisions.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed gamertag change

If you see an error message when you try to change your gamertag, the most common cause is that the name you chose is already taken or was just taken by someone else. Try a different name. If the same name fails twice, it is no longer available.

If the change button does not appear or is greyed out, make sure you are signed into the correct Microsoft account on your console or website. If you are using a child account, the parent account may need to approve the change. Restart your console and try again. If the problem persists, sign out completely, wait 30 seconds, and sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my gamertag on mobile or do I need my Xbox?

You can change it on your phone or computer by logging into account.microsoft.com. You do not need your Xbox nearby. The change takes effect on your console automatically once you sign in next.

What if someone else took my old gamertag?

Once you change your gamertag, your old name enters a waiting period before it becomes available to others. If someone else has already claimed it, you cannot get it back. You would need to choose a different name.

Do my friends have to do anything to see my new gamertag?

No. Your new name appears on your profile right away. Friends may see your old name in their friend list briefly until they refresh it or restart their console, but this clears within a few hours.

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

Yes, within 30 days you can change back to your previous gamertag for free. After 30 days, changing back costs the same as any other gamertag change.

What if my gamertag change is not showing up in my games?

Some games cache your old gamertag and may not update it when ready. Restart the game or restart your console. If it still shows the old name after a full restart, wait a few hours and try again.