Change your username through the Xbox app or website

You can change your Xbox username by signing into your Microsoft account on either the Xbox app (on your console or PC) or the Xbox website. The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing — Microsoft allows one free username change per account, then charges $9.99 for each change after that.

The fastest route is the Xbox app on your console. Go to your profile, select "Customize profile", then choose "Gamertag" and enter your new name. The website method works the same way: sign in at xbox.com, go to your profile settings, find the gamertag option, and type in what you want. Either way, your new name takes effect when ready across all your Xbox devices and services.

Before you submit, Xbox will tell you if the name is already taken or breaks their content policy. Names can be 3 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and some symbols — but not spaces or special characters like @ or #. If you see an error message, try a different combination.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first username change is free; each change after that costs $9.99.
  • You can change your gamertag through the Xbox app on your console, the Xbox app on PC, or the Xbox website — all three methods take the same amount of time.
  • Your new username shows up when ready on your profile, in multiplayer games, and on your friends' friend lists.
  • Xbox will reject names that are already taken, contain spaces, or violate their content policy, and will tell you which rule the name breaks.
  • You do not need to change your Microsoft account email or password when you change your gamertag — only the display name changes.

What happens to your games and friends when you change your name

Your games, achievements, and game saves stay exactly where they are. Changing your gamertag does not affect your Game Pass subscription, your balance of Xbox credit, or any games you own. Friends will see your new name the next time they log in, and you will still be in all the same groups and parties.

If you are in the middle of a multiplayer match when you change your name, you may need to restart the game to see the change reflected in that session. Some older games may take a few hours to update your name across their servers, but this is rare. Your achievement history will show your new name going forward, though some games may still display your old name in old screenshots or clips you recorded before the change.

If your desired name is already taken

Xbox will tell you when ready if someone else has the name you want. You have a few options: try a slight variation (adding a number, changing the spelling, or using a symbol like a hyphen or underscore), wait to see if the name becomes available later, or choose a different name altogether.

Names do become available when accounts are inactive for a long time, but there is no way to know when that will happen or to reserve a name you want. If you see a name you like that belongs to an inactive account, you can check back periodically, but Xbox does not have a waitlist system. Your best bet is to decide on a few backup names you would be happy with, so you are not stuck if your first choice is taken.

Changing your name on a console you share with others

If multiple people use the same Xbox console, each person has their own profile and their own gamertag. When you change your name, it only changes on your profile — other people's profiles and their gamertags stay the same. You will need to sign in with your own account to make the change.

If someone else on the console has already claimed the name you want, you cannot use it. Each gamertag across all of Xbox Live is unique, so even if your family member uses it on a different console, you cannot have the same name on your account.

Undoing a name change or changing it again

If you change your mind about your new name, you can change it again, but the cost depends on how long ago you made the last change. Your first change is free. If you change your name a second time within a year, it costs $9.99. After a year has passed since your last change, your next change is free again.

There is no way to undo a name change and go back to your old gamertag — once you pick a new one, the old name is released and can be claimed by someone else. If you want your old name back later, you would have to pay $9.99 to change to it again (assuming no one else has taken it in the meantime).

Troubleshooting when the name change will not go through

If you see an error message when you try to change your name, the most common reasons are: the name is already taken, the name contains characters Xbox does not allow, the name violates Xbox's content policy, or your account has a restriction on it. Xbox will usually tell you which one it is.

If the error message is unclear, try a completely different name to see if the problem is with that specific name or with your account. If a different name works, then your original choice was either taken or against policy. If no name works, your account may have a temporary restriction — this sometimes happens after a recent report or after you change your name very recently. Wait a few hours and try again, or contact Xbox Support through the Xbox app if the problem persists.

Changing your name on mobile or through the website

You can change your gamertag on the Xbox website from any device with a web browser. Sign in at xbox.com with your Microsoft account, go to your profile, select "Customize profile", and choose "Gamertag". The steps are identical to the console method, and the change takes effect when ready.

The Xbox mobile app (available on iPhone and Android) does not have a gamertag-change option built in. If you want to change your name from your phone, use the Xbox website instead — it works just as well and takes the same amount of time. You do not need to be on a console to make the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Xbox username cost money?

Your first change is free. After that, each change costs $9.99. However, if a full year passes without you changing your name again, your next change becomes free. You will see the cost before you confirm the change, so you can decide whether to go ahead.

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

Yes. Your friends will see your new name the next time they log in, and you will still appear on their friends list. You do not need to re-add them or send new friend requests. They can still message you and invite you to games using your new name.

Can I change my Xbox username to something I used before?

Only if no one else has claimed it since you stopped using it. Old usernames are released back into the pool when you change them, so someone else may have taken yours. If it is still available, you can change to it, but you will pay $9.99 unless it has been a full year since your last change.

What if I see a message that my name violates the content policy?

Xbox's policy blocks names that are offensive, contain profanity, reference illegal activity, or impersonate real people or brands. If your name is rejected, try a different one. If you think your name was rejected by mistake, contact Xbox Support, but most rejections are final.

Can I change my gamertag if my account is suspended or restricted?

No. If your account has any active restrictions or suspensions, you cannot change your gamertag until the restriction is lifted. Contact Xbox Support to find out why your account is restricted and when it will be cleared.