You get one free username change on Xbox, then paid changes after that
Xbox allows you to change your username once at no cost. After you use that free change, each additional username change costs $9.99. There is no way around the paid fee for subsequent changes — Microsoft does not offer a second free change or a workaround to avoid the cost. The free change is a one-time benefit tied to your account, not something that resets.
The free change works the same way as a paid one: you go to your Xbox account settings, enter a new username, and the change takes effect when ready. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period. Games, achievements, and friends lists stay with your account — the username is just the display name.
Key Takeaways
- Every Xbox account gets one free username change; after that, each change costs $9.99 and must be purchased through your account settings.
- You change your username through the Xbox website or the Xbox app on your console, not through a game or a third-party site.
- The change takes effect right away, but your old username stays reserved for a few weeks before others can use it.
- Changing your username does not affect your gamertag history, achievements, or friends — only the name people see when you play.
How to use your free username change
Go to account.xbox.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Your info. Look for the section labeled Gamertag and click Edit or Change gamertag.
Type your new username into the text box. Xbox will check whether it is available in real time — if the name is taken, you will see a red X and a message saying so. Keep typing options until you find one with a green checkmark. When you have a name you want, click Check availability to confirm, then Save. The change happens when ready.
If you are on your Xbox console instead of a computer, you can also change your username through Settings > Account > Your info > Gamertag. The steps are the same, and you will see the same availability checker.
What happens to your old username
Your old username does not disappear right away. For about 30 days after you change it, the name stays reserved under your account and nobody else can claim it. This gives you a window to change your mind — you can go back through the same settings and switch back to your old name without using your free change a second time.
After 30 days, your old username becomes available for anyone else to take. Your friends will see your new username in their friends list, but your achievement history and game progress stay exactly the same. Games do not care what your username is — they track you by your account ID, which never changes.
Why the second change costs money
Microsoft charges for username changes after the first one because frequent changes can confuse friends, make it hard to track player history, and create support requests when people cannot find their friends. The $9.99 fee is designed to discourage casual renaming while still allowing people who genuinely need a new name to get one.
This is the same model many online games use — one free change to fix a name you regret, then a cost to prevent constant switching. There is no discount for multiple changes, no bundle pricing, and no way to earn the fee through gameplay or rewards. Each change is a separate $9.99 purchase.
Usernames you cannot use
Xbox blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. The system also rejects names that are too similar to existing usernames — for example, if someone already has "ShadowKnight", you cannot use "ShadowKnight1" or "ShadowKnights". Names that impersonate real people or celebrities are also blocked.
If you try a name and see a message that it violates the Code of Conduct, you cannot use it. The system will not tell you exactly why — just that it does not meet Xbox standards. Try a different variation. If you believe a name was rejected by mistake, you can contact Xbox Support through support.xbox.com, but they rarely overturn rejections for policy violations.
Changing your username on mobile or through the app
You can change your username through the Xbox app on your phone or tablet. Open the app, tap your profile picture at the bottom, then tap Profile. Select Customize profile and look for Gamertag. Tap Edit and follow the same steps as on a computer — type a new name, check availability, and save.
The mobile app works identically to the website, and the change syncs across all your devices when ready. If you are signed into Xbox on multiple consoles, the new username appears on all of them within seconds. You do not need to sign out and back in.
What to do if your free change is already used
If you have already used your one free username change and want to change again, you will need to pay $9.99 through your account settings. Go to account.xbox.com, navigate to your gamertag settings, and when you try to save a new name, you will be prompted to purchase the change. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or Microsoft account balance.
There is no way to get a second free change. Some people ask Xbox Support whether they can receive a free change for a specific reason — a name that became offensive, a privacy concern, or a mistake — but Microsoft does not grant exceptions. The policy is one free change per account, period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to my old one for free?
Yes, but only within 30 days of changing it. Your old username stays reserved during that window, and switching back does not count as using your free change. After 30 days, your old name becomes available to others, and reclaiming it would cost $9.99 like any other paid change.
Will my friends still see my achievements and game history after I change my username?
Yes. Your username is just a display name. Your account ID, achievements, game progress, and friends list all stay the same. Friends will see your new username in their list, but everything else about your account remains unchanged.
What if someone else takes my old username after 30 days?
You cannot get it back without paying $9.99 to change to it again. Once the 30-day reservation ends, the name is fair game. If you think you might want your old name back, change to it again before the 30 days are up.
Can I change my username more than once per year?
Yes, but each change after the first costs $9.99. There is no limit on how many times you can change your username — only on how many times you can do it for free. You can change it as often as you want if you are willing to pay each time.
Does changing my username affect my Game Pass or subscription?
No. Your Game Pass, Xbox Live Gold, and any other subscriptions stay active and tied to your account. Changing your username does not touch your subscriptions, payment methods, or billing information.