The quickest way to change your Xbox username

You can change your Xbox username through the Xbox app on your console, through the Xbox website on any browser, or through the Xbox mobile app. The process takes about five minutes and costs 800 Microsoft Points the first time you change it (roughly $10 USD, though prices vary by region). After that, you can change it once every 30 days for the same cost.

Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after you change it. Your game progress, achievements, and friends list stay with your account — they follow your new username automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username on your Xbox console, the Xbox website, or the Xbox mobile app, and the change takes effect when ready across all your games and services.
  • The first username change costs 800 Microsoft Points; subsequent changes within 30 days cost the same amount, but you can change it once per month free after that.
  • Your gamertag history is visible to other players, so they can see what usernames you have used in the past.
  • If your new username is flagged as inappropriate by Xbox's system, you will be asked to choose a different one before the change completes.

Changing your username on an Xbox console

On your Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One, or older console, go to the home screen and select your profile icon in the top left corner. Choose Customize profile, then select Gamertag. Type your new username and select Check availability to see if it is taken.

If the name is available, select Confirm. You will be asked to review the cost (800 Microsoft Points for the first change). Select Buy or Confirm purchase depending on your console generation. The change takes effect when ready, and you will see your new username on your profile and in all your games.

If the name is unavailable or flagged as inappropriate, Xbox will suggest alternatives. You can accept one of these suggestions or type a different name and check availability again.

Changing your username on the Xbox website

Go to account.xbox.com in any web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select Customize your profile or Profile from the menu. Look for the Gamertag section and select Edit or Change gamertag.

Type your new username and select Check availability. If it is available, you will see the cost displayed (800 Microsoft Points). Select Change gamertag or Confirm to complete the purchase. The change syncs to your console and all connected devices within a few minutes.

Changing your username on the Xbox mobile app

Open the Xbox app on your phone or tablet and tap your profile icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap Customize profile or Edit profile. Find the gamertag field and tap Edit or Change.

Enter your new username and tap Check availability. If the name is free, review the cost and tap Confirm or Buy. The change will appear on your console and in all your games within minutes.

What happens to your old username

Your previous gamertag becomes available for other players to claim when ready after you change it. You cannot reserve it or prevent someone else from taking it. If you want to use that username again in the future, you would have to wait for someone else to abandon it or change their own name.

Other players can see your gamertag history by viewing your profile. This means people can see what usernames you have used before, even though you are no longer using them. There is no way to hide or delete this history.

Usernames that Xbox will not allow

Xbox's system automatically flags usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. It also blocks names that impersonate real people, celebrities, or Xbox staff members. If your chosen name is flagged, you will see a message saying it violates the Code of Conduct, and you will need to pick a different one.

Names that are too similar to existing usernames may also be rejected. Xbox allows numbers, hyphens, and spaces in usernames, but some special characters are not permitted. If you get an error message, try removing special characters or choosing a different variation.

Troubleshooting a failed username change

If your purchase fails, check that your Microsoft account has a valid payment method on file. Go to account.microsoft.com, select Payment & billing, and make sure your credit card or payment method is current. If it is expired or declined, update it and try again.

If the name you want suddenly shows as unavailable after you checked it, someone else claimed it between your check and your purchase. Choose a different username and try again. If you keep seeing an error message even with a different name, sign out of your account completely, wait a few minutes, and sign back in before trying once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username for free?

No, the first change costs 800 Microsoft Points. After that, you can change your username once every 30 days for the same cost. There is no free option, though some promotional events occasionally offer discounted or free changes.

Will my friends still see me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list does not change, and your friends will see your new username automatically. You will still appear in their friends list under your new gamertag, and they can still message and play with you.

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

Only if no one else has claimed it. Since your old username becomes available when ready after you change it, someone else may have taken it. If they have, you would need to wait for them to change their name or choose a different username.

How long does it take for the change to show up everywhere?

The change takes effect when ready on the device where you made it. On other consoles, phones, and the website, it usually appears within a few minutes. In some games, it may take up to an hour to update fully.

What if Xbox says my username is inappropriate?

You will see a message explaining that the name violates the Code of Conduct. You cannot use that name. Choose a different username and check availability again. If you believe the rejection was a mistake, you can contact Xbox Support through your account settings.