Change Your Username Through the Xbox App or Website
The fastest way to change your Xbox username on Series S is through the Xbox app on your console or through Xbox.com on any web browser. You do not need to buy anything or wait for approval — the change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up in games.
On your Series S console, press the Xbox button to open the guide, then go to Profile & system > Profile > Customize profile. Select Gamertag and choose Change gamertag. Type your new username and confirm. If the name is available, you will see it locked in right away.
On a computer or phone, sign in at Xbox.com, select your profile picture in the top right, then choose Customize profile. Click Edit gamertag and follow the same steps. Both routes work identically — use whichever device is closest.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your gamertag directly from your Series S console through Profile > Customize profile > Gamertag, or through Xbox.com on any browser.
- The first gamertag change is free; each change after that costs 800 Microsoft Points, which is roughly ten dollars.
- Your new gamertag shows up in your profile when ready but may take a few minutes to appear in games and on your friends' lists.
- Gamertags must be between 3 and 15 characters, cannot contain spaces or most special characters, and cannot match an existing username.
- If your desired name is taken, the system will suggest similar alternatives you can choose from instead.
What Names Are Allowed and What Names Are Not
Xbox has rules about what characters and words you can use. Your gamertag must be between 3 and 15 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, and a few special characters — specifically a space, hyphen, or period — but not symbols like @, #, or &. The system will reject your choice when ready if it breaks these rules.
Xbox also blocks gamertags that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. If you try to use a name that violates the code of conduct, you will see an error message saying the name is not allowed. The system does not explain why — it just rejects it. If you believe a rejection was a mistake, you can contact Xbox Support, but most rejections are final.
Names that are already taken by another player will show as unavailable. The system will offer you suggestions based on what you typed — for example, if "ShadowKnight" is taken, it might suggest "ShadowKnight47" or "ShadowKnight2024". You can accept one of these or type something completely different.
Understanding the Cost of Changing Your Gamertag
Your first gamertag change is free. After that, each change costs 800 Microsoft Points. At current pricing, 800 points is roughly ten dollars, though the exact amount varies slightly by region and can change over time. You do not have to buy points separately — if you have a balance in your Microsoft account, the cost will be deducted from it.
If you do not have enough points, the system will prompt you to buy more before completing the change. You can purchase points directly from your Series S by going to Profile & system > Settings > Account > Payment & billing > Add funds. On Xbox.com, the option is in your account settings under the same heading.
The free change is a one-time offer per account, not per year. Once you use it, every future change will cost points. Plan your first change carefully if you are unsure about a name.
How Long It Takes for Your New Name to Show Everywhere
The change is when ready in your profile settings — you will see your new gamertag on your Series S when ready after you confirm it. However, it takes a few minutes to propagate through Xbox's systems and show up in games, on your friends' lists, and in party chat. Most of the time this happens within five to ten minutes, but it can occasionally take up to an hour.
During this delay, some friends may still see your old name in their friends list or in-game. This is normal and temporary. If you are playing online during the transition, your new name will show correctly to other players in the game itself, even if their friends list has not updated yet.
If your new name does not appear after an hour, sign out of your Series S completely, wait a minute, and sign back in. This forces a refresh of your profile data and usually resolves the delay.
Changing Your Display Name Versus Your Gamertag
Xbox has two separate name fields: your gamertag and your display name. Your gamertag is your unique identifier — it is what other players see in games and on leaderboards, and it cannot contain spaces. Your display name is what appears on your profile and in messages, and it can include spaces and more characters.
When you change your gamertag through the steps above, you are changing your unique identifier. If you only want to change how your name appears on your profile and in messages, you can change your display name instead, which is free and takes effect when ready. To do this, go to Profile & system > Profile > Customize profile > Edit profile, then edit the display name field.
Most players want to change their gamertag, not their display name, because the gamertag is what shows in games. But if you are happy with your gamertag and only want a different name on your profile, the display name change is the faster, free option.
What Happens to Your Old Gamertag After You Change It
When you change your gamertag, your old name becomes available for someone else to claim after a short waiting period. Xbox does not hold old gamertags for you — if you change from "OldName" to "NewName" and then decide you want "OldName" back, you will have to compete with other players to claim it, and you will have to pay the 800-point fee again.
Your game progress, achievements, and friends list all stay with your account. Changing your gamertag does not reset anything — it is purely a name change. Your friends will see your new name, but all your history and unlocks remain exactly as they were.
If you are changing your name because you want a fresh start or are concerned about privacy, understand that your old name will eventually be reused by someone else. There is no way to permanently retire a gamertag or prevent others from using it.
Troubleshooting When a Name Change Does Not Work
If you see an error message when trying to change your gamertag, the most common causes are: the name is already taken, the name contains forbidden characters or words, you do not have enough Microsoft Points (if it is not your first change), or your account has a restriction on it.
Account restrictions can happen if there has been a report against your account or if Xbox flagged unusual activity. If you see a message saying you cannot change your gamertag due to an account issue, go to Xbox.com, sign in, and check your Account settings > Enforcement. This page shows any active restrictions and explains why they are in place. If you believe a restriction is wrong, you can appeal it through the same page.
If the name you want is taken but you are certain it is not in use, wait a few hours and try again. Occasionally the system has a brief delay updating availability. If it remains unavailable after several hours, the name is genuinely claimed by another player.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my gamertag back to my old one?
Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime. After you change your gamertag, the old name becomes available to other players. If you want it back, you will have to pay 800 Microsoft Points and hope it has not been taken. There is no way to reserve or hold an old gamertag.
Does changing my gamertag affect my game saves or achievements?
No. Your game saves, achievements, and all progress stay with your account. Changing your gamertag is purely cosmetic — it does not reset anything or move your data. All your friends will see your new name, but your history remains intact.
How do I change my gamertag if I forgot my password?
You will need to reset your password first. Go to account.microsoft.com on any browser, click Sign in, then Can't access your account. Follow the recovery steps, which usually involve verifying your email or phone number. Once you have access again, you can change your gamertag normally.
What if the gamertag I want is taken but the person is not playing anymore?
Xbox does not recycle inactive gamertags. If a name is taken, it stays taken even if the account has not been used in years. There is no way to request that an inactive account's name be released. Your only option is to choose a different name.
Can I have different gamertags on different Xbox accounts?
Yes. Each Xbox account has its own gamertag. If you have multiple accounts on your Series S, each one can have a different name. You change each one separately through that account's profile settings.