You can change your Xbox username once per year at no cost through your Microsoft account settings
Xbox allows one free username change every 12 months. After that, each additional change costs $9.99. The process takes about five minutes and happens entirely online — you do not need to contact Xbox support or visit a store. Your new username takes effect when ready across all Xbox services, including Xbox Live, Game Pass, and any multiplayer games you play.
The free change resets on the anniversary of your last username change, not on a calendar date. If you changed your name on March 15, your next free change becomes available on March 15 of the following year. You can check when your next free change is available by looking at your account settings before you start the process.
Key Takeaways
- One free username change is available every 12 months; additional changes within that period cost $9.99 each.
- You change your username through your Microsoft account online, not through your Xbox console.
- The new username appears when ready on your profile and in all games, though some games may take a few hours to sync the change.
- Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after you change it.
- Changing your username does not affect your game library, achievements, or friends list.
Steps to change your username on a computer or phone
Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with the email and password for your Xbox account. Once you are logged in, look for "Your info" or "Account" in the left menu and click it. You should see your current Xbox username displayed on this page.
Click on your username or look for an option that says "Manage your Microsoft account" or "Edit profile". This takes you to a page where you can see your current gamertag. Click the button next to your username that says "Edit" or "Change gamertag". The system will tell you whether your free change is available or if you need to pay.
Type your new username into the text box. Xbox usernames can be 3 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and some symbols. As you type, the system shows you whether the name is available. If the name is taken, try adding a number or symbol. Once you find a name that is available and you want to use it, click "Check availability" or "Next" to confirm.
Review the confirmation screen to make sure the new name is spelled correctly, then click "Change gamertag" or "Confirm". The system processes the change when ready. You will see a message saying your new username is now active.
Steps to change your username on an Xbox console
Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide menu. Navigate to "Profile & system" and then select "Profile". Choose "Customize profile" or "Edit profile".
Select "Gamertag" from the menu. The console will take you to the same Microsoft account page you would reach on a computer, so the steps from that point forward are identical — you type your new name, check availability, and confirm the change.
Some players find it faster to use a computer or phone because the text entry is quicker, but both methods reach the same account settings and produce the same result.
What happens after you change your username
Your new username appears on your profile when ready and shows up in all your games within a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the game. In some older games or games that do not sync with Xbox Live frequently, it may take longer. Your friends will see your new name the next time they look at their friends list.
Your old username becomes available for other players to claim as soon as you change it. If you are worried about someone else taking a name you liked, do not change to a temporary name — choose your final name the first time.
Changing your username does not affect your game library, achievements, saved games, or friends list. Everything stays attached to your account. If you change your mind within a short time, you can change back to your old name if no one else has claimed it, but you will use your next free change or pay the $9.99 fee.
What to do if your preferred username is taken
If the name you want shows as unavailable, try adding a number at the end or beginning. Many players add their birth year, a lucky number, or a zero instead of the letter O. You can also try a different spelling or abbreviation of the name you want.
Xbox does not hold usernames for inactive accounts, but very old or very popular names are often claimed. If you see a name that looks inactive (no profile picture, no activity in years), that account still owns the name — Xbox does not free up usernames even if the account has not been used.
You can also check whether a specific username is available without starting the change process. Go to the gamertag change page and type the name into the search box. It will tell you if it is available before you commit to changing.
Understanding the $9.99 fee for additional changes
After you use your one free change per year, Xbox charges $9.99 for each additional change within that 12-month period. This fee is charged by Microsoft and goes through your Xbox account payment method — the same card or account you use to buy games or Game Pass.
The fee is per change, not per year. If you change your username three times in one year, you pay $9.99 twice (the first change is free, the second and third cost money). Once your 12-month period resets, you get one free change again.
You can see your payment history and the date your free change resets by going to your account settings and looking at your billing or account activity. This shows you exactly when you will be may be able to access for another free change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to my old one?
Yes, if no one else has claimed it. You can change back to any previous username you owned, but it counts as a regular change — you will use your free annual change or pay $9.99. If someone else claimed your old name, it is no longer available to you.
Do my friends see my old username or my new one?
Your friends see your new username once it syncs, usually within a few hours. They do not see a notification that you changed your name — they will just notice the new name the next time they look at their friends list or play with you.
Will my achievements and game progress disappear if I change my username?
No. Your achievements, game library, saved games, and account history all stay attached to your account. Changing your username is purely cosmetic — it changes what people see your name as, but nothing else about your account changes.
What if I change my username by mistake?
You can change it again when ready, but you will use your next free change or pay $9.99 if you are outside your free change window. There is no undo button, so make sure you type your new name correctly before you confirm.
Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?
You can use some symbols like hyphens, underscores, and periods, but not spaces. Xbox will show you which characters are allowed as you type. The system rejects names with profanity or names that violate Xbox's code of conduct.