Change your username through the Xbox app or website
You change your Xbox One username by going to your Xbox profile settings, either on your console, through the Xbox app on Windows, or on the Xbox website. The process is the same across all three: find your profile, select edit, change the name field, and confirm. Most people finish in under two minutes.
Your Xbox username is different from your Microsoft account email. Changing your username does not change your email, password, or any other account details — only the name that appears when you play games and chat with friends. You can change it as many times as you want, though Xbox charges a small fee after your first change.
The fastest route is usually the Xbox website because you do not have to navigate console menus. If you are already on your Xbox One, the console method works just as well and takes the same amount of time.
Key Takeaways
- Your first Xbox username change is free; any change after that costs a small fee that varies by region.
- You can change your username on your Xbox One console, through the Xbox app on Windows, or on the Xbox website — all three methods take about two minutes.
- Your username is separate from your Microsoft email address, so changing one does not affect the other.
- After you change your username, it appears when ready in games and on your profile, but some games may take a few hours to show the new name in their own systems.
- You cannot use a username that is already taken, contains profanity, or violates Xbox's code of conduct.
Change your username on Xbox One console
Start on your 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 at the top and press A to open your profile.
Select "Customize profile" from the menu. Choose "Gamertag" (this is Xbox's word for username). Press A and type your new username using the on-screen keyboard. Xbox will tell you when ready if the name is taken or breaks the rules. Once you see a green checkmark, press A to confirm and the change is done.
If you do not see a "Customize profile" option, sign out and sign back in. Sometimes the menu does not load until you refresh your session.
Change your username on the Xbox website
Go to account.xbox.com in any web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account email and password. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "My profile."
Look for the "Gamertag" section on your profile page. Click "Edit gamertag" next to your current username. Type your new username in the box that appears. Xbox 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 not allowed.
Once the name is approved, click "Check availability" or the confirm button (the exact wording varies slightly by region). You will see a confirmation screen showing the fee if this is not your first change. Click to confirm and your new username is active when ready.
Change your username through the Xbox app on Windows
Open the Xbox app on your Windows computer and sign in if you are not already. Click your profile picture in the top left corner and select "View profile."
On your profile page, look for your current gamertag and click "Edit gamertag" next to it. Type your new username and Xbox will show you whether it is available. Once you see approval, click confirm. The fee screen appears if this is not your first change — click to pay and your new username takes effect right away.
What happens after you change your username
Your new username appears on your Xbox profile and in your friends list when ready. When you play online, your new name shows in the game lobby and in chat. However, some games have their own username systems that are separate from Xbox — those games may take a few hours or even a day to update your name in their own databases.
Your old username becomes available for someone else to use after a short delay, usually within a few hours. Friends who had you added will still see you in their friends list under your new name. Any messages, achievements, or game history stays attached to your account — nothing is lost when you change your username.
The cost of changing your username
Your first username change is free. Every change after that costs a fee that varies by region — in the United States it is typically a few dollars, but check your region's Xbox website for the exact amount before you confirm.
If you change your mind within a short window (usually 30 days), some regions allow you to change back to your previous username for free. Check the confirmation screen after your change to see whether this option is available to you.
Usernames that Xbox will not allow
Xbox rejects usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or hateful language. It also blocks names that are already taken by another player. Names that reference illegal activity, impersonate real people or celebrities, or violate Xbox's code of conduct will be rejected when you try to confirm.
If you see an error message saying your username is not allowed but you do not think it violates the rules, try a slight variation — add a number, change the spelling slightly, or use an underscore. If the same name keeps being rejected and you believe it should be allowed, contact Xbox support through the Xbox app or website to appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to what it was before?
Yes, but only within 30 days in most regions, and only if no one else has claimed that old username in the meantime. After 30 days, your old username becomes available to anyone, and you would have to pay the change fee to reclaim it if it is still unclaimed. Check your region's rules on the Xbox website to confirm the window.
Will my friends still see me after I change my username?
Yes. Your friends list does not break when you change your username. Everyone who had you added will see your new name the next time they look at their friends list, and you will still be able to message them and play together.
Does changing my Xbox username change my Microsoft email?
No. Your Xbox username and your Microsoft email are completely separate. Changing your gamertag does not touch your email, password, or any other account settings. You sign in with your email, but your friends see only your username.
Why does my new username not show up in a game I just played?
Some games store your username in their own system rather than pulling it from Xbox every time. These games may take a few hours or up to a day to sync with your new Xbox username. If it has been more than a day, restart the game or restart your console to force it to refresh.
What if the username I want is taken?
You cannot use a username that another player has claimed. Try adding a number at the end, using an underscore, or changing one letter. You can also check if the name is held by an inactive account — if the account has not been used in a very long time, Xbox may eventually release the username, but there is no way to request this yourself.