Change your Xbox username through the Xbox app or web browser

You can change your Xbox username on PC using either the Xbox app (built into Windows 10 and 11) or by signing into your Microsoft account online. Both routes take about five minutes and let you pick a new gamertag right away. The change shows up across all your devices — console, phone, and PC — within a few minutes.

Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days. Until then, other players can still see your previous gamertag in their friends list and recent activity, but your profile displays the new one. If you change your mind within those 30 days, you can switch back to your old name without paying again.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Xbox app on Windows or visit account.microsoft.com in your browser, then navigate to your profile settings to change your gamertag.
  • Your first gamertag change is free; any changes after that cost money through the Xbox website.
  • The new username appears on your profile when ready but may take a few minutes to update in friends' lists and activity feeds.
  • You can revert to your previous gamertag within 30 days at no cost, but after that window closes, the old name becomes available to others.
  • Changing your Xbox username does not affect your Microsoft account email or password — only your gaming profile name changes.

Using the Xbox app on Windows 10 or 11

Open the Xbox app from your Start menu or taskbar. Sign in with your Microsoft account if you are not already logged in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select View profile.

On your profile page, look for the option to edit your profile or change your gamertag — this usually appears near your current username or under a settings menu. Select Change gamertag or Edit profile. Type your new username into the text field and check whether it is available. Xbox will show you a green checkmark if the name is free or a red X if someone else has already claimed it. Once you find a name you want, confirm the change. The app may ask you to verify your identity or confirm the action one more time before saving.

Changing your gamertag through the web browser

Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account. Click Your info or Profile from the left menu, then look for Xbox or gaming settings.

Find the section labeled Gamertag or Xbox profile and select the option to change it. Enter your new username and check availability in real time. Microsoft will tell you right away if the name is taken or if it violates Xbox naming rules — usernames cannot include profanity, impersonation, or hateful language. Once you settle on a name that is available and follows the rules, click Save or Confirm. The change takes effect when ready on your profile, though it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere.

What happens to your old username and friends list

Your previous gamertag stays reserved under your account for 30 days. During this window, you can change back to it without paying a second time. After 30 days, the old name enters a pool that other players can claim. Your friends will see your new gamertag on their friends list within a few minutes, and any messages or activity you post after the change will show your new name.

People who played with you before the change may still see your old gamertag in their game history or achievement records for a while, since those records do not update retroactively. This does not affect your actual profile or account — it is just how the system stores past data.

Cost and restrictions on changing your gamertag

Your first gamertag change is free. Every change after that costs money, which you pay through the Xbox website using a credit card, debit card, or Microsoft account balance. The price varies by region but typically ranges from a few dollars to around ten dollars per change.

Xbox has rules about what usernames are allowed. You cannot use profanity, pretend to be someone else (like a celebrity or public figure), include hate speech, or use names that are sexually explicit. If your chosen name breaks these rules, Xbox will reject it and ask you to pick something else. Names must be between 3 and 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and some special characters, though spaces are not allowed.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the change button does not appear in the Xbox app, make sure you are signed in with the account that owns the profile. You cannot change someone else's gamertag, even if you have access to their account. Try signing out completely and signing back in, or close the app and reopen it.

If a name you want shows as unavailable but you are certain it is not in use, wait a few minutes and try again — the availability checker sometimes needs time to refresh. If you see an error message saying your account is not may be able to access to change its gamertag, your account may be too new, restricted due to a violation, or flagged for security reasons. Contact Xbox Support through the app or at support.xbox.com to find out why and what you need to do next.

How the change affects your other devices

Changing your Xbox username on PC updates your gamertag on every device where you are signed into that Microsoft account. If you play on an Xbox console, your phone, or a tablet, the new name will show up there too within a few minutes. You do not need to sign out and back in — the system syncs the change automatically.

Your Microsoft account email and password do not change. Only your Xbox gaming profile name changes. If you use the same Microsoft account for Outlook, OneDrive, or other Microsoft services, those are not affected at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, within 30 days of the change. Go back to your profile settings and select your old gamertag from the list of names you have used. You will not be charged for reverting within that 30-day window. After 30 days, your old name becomes available to other players and you cannot claim it back without paying the standard change fee.

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

No. Your password and email address stay the same. Only your gaming profile name changes. Your Microsoft account login information does not need to be updated.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my gamertag?

Yes. Your friends list updates automatically, and your friends will see your new name within a few minutes. They can still message you and see your activity. You will not lose any friends or achievements when you change your username.

What if the name I want is already taken?

Try a variation — add numbers, change the spelling slightly, or use a different word. The availability checker shows you right away if a name is free. You can keep trying different names until you find one that works and is available.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your profile updates when ready, but it may take a few minutes for the new name to appear in friends' lists, activity feeds, and leaderboards. If it has been more than 10 minutes and you still see your old name in some places, try signing out and back in to refresh.