You can change your Xbox gamertag once per year for free through your Microsoft account settings
Microsoft lets you change your gamertag one time every 12 months without paying. After that first free change, each additional change costs $9.99. The change takes effect when ready across all Xbox services — your profile, achievements, messages, and friends list all update to show your new name right away.
You do not need an Xbox console to make this change. You can do it from any computer or phone using your Microsoft account. The process takes about five minutes and requires only your current password.
Key Takeaways
- You get one free gamertag change every 12 months; after that, changes cost $9.99 each.
- You can change your gamertag from any device by signing into your Microsoft account online — you do not need your Xbox console.
- Your new gamertag appears everywhere at once: your profile, friends list, achievements, and message history all update when ready.
- Gamertags must be between 3 and 15 characters, can include numbers and some symbols, and cannot contain spaces or certain words Microsoft blocks.
- If your desired name is taken, you can add a number or symbol to make it unique, or you can check back later in case the other player stops using it.
How to change your gamertag on a computer
Go to account.microsoft.com in your web browser and sign in with the email and password for your Microsoft account. This is the account linked to your Xbox profile.
Once you are signed in, look for your profile picture or name in the top right corner and click it. A menu will appear. Select View profile or Your info depending on which version of the site you see. Then click Manage your Microsoft account.
On the left side of the page, click Your info, then find and click Manage your Xbox profile. This takes you to a page showing your current gamertag. Click the Edit button or pencil icon next to your gamertag name.
Type your new gamertag into the box that appears. As you type, the system tells you when ready whether the name is available. If it shows a green checkmark, the name is yours to use. If it shows a red X, that name is taken. Click Check availability if you want to see suggestions for similar names that are open.
Once you have chosen an available name, click Save or Confirm. The system may ask you to confirm your password again for security. Type it in and click Next. Your new gamertag is now active.
How to change your gamertag on your phone or tablet
Open the Microsoft account app or go to account.microsoft.com in your phone's web browser. Sign in with your email and password.
Tap your profile picture at the top of the screen. Select View profile or Your info. Then tap Manage your Xbox profile.
Tap the Edit button next to your current gamertag. Type your new name and check whether it is available. Once you find a name with a green checkmark, tap Save and confirm your password when prompted.
What names you can and cannot use
Your new gamertag must be between 3 and 15 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, and these symbols: hyphen (-), underscore (_), and period (.). You cannot use spaces, and you cannot start or end your name with a hyphen or underscore.
Microsoft blocks certain words and phrases from being used as gamertags. These include profanity, slurs, and references to illegal activity. The system will not let you save a name if it contains blocked content, so you will see an error message telling you to choose something different.
Your gamertag is public and visible to everyone on Xbox Live, so choose a name you are comfortable with other players seeing. You cannot use another player's real name without their permission, and you should not impersonate a real person or a public figure.
What happens if your desired name is taken
If the gamertag you want is already in use, you have a few options. The easiest is to add a number or symbol to make it unique — for example, if "ShadowNinja" is taken, you could use "ShadowNinja42" or "Shadow-Ninja". The system suggests variations when you search for an unavailable name.
You can also check back periodically. If another player stops using their account or changes their own gamertag, their old name becomes available again. There is no way to reserve a name or put yourself on a waiting list, so you would need to try again manually when you think of it.
Some players sell their old gamertags through third-party sites, but Microsoft does not endorse this and warns that buying accounts or gamertags violates their terms of service. Stick with names you can create yourself.
How the 12-month timer works
Your free change is available once every 12 months, measured from the date you last changed your gamertag. If you changed your name on March 15, your next free change is available on March 15 of the following year. The system tells you the exact date when your next free change becomes available if you try to change your name before that date arrives.
If you want to change your name before your 12 months are up, you can pay $9.99 to do so when ready. This does not reset your free-change timer — you still get another free change 12 months after your last free change, not 12 months after the paid change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my friends still see my old messages after I change my gamertag?
Yes. Your message history stays the same, but your name appears as your new gamertag in all past conversations. Your friends will see your new name next to old messages you sent before you changed it.
Can I change my gamertag on my Xbox console instead of online?
You can view your gamertag on your console, but you cannot change it there. You must change it through your Microsoft account online using a computer or phone. Once you change it online, the new name appears on your console within a few minutes.
What if I change my mind right after changing my gamertag?
You can change it back, but you will use up your free change for the year. If you want to change it again, you will have to pay $9.99 unless you wait until your next free change becomes available 12 months later.
Do I need Xbox Game Pass to change my gamertag?
No. You need only a Microsoft account and an Xbox profile. Game Pass is not required. You can change your gamertag whether you have Game Pass or not.
What if the system says my gamertag contains blocked content but I do not think it does?
Microsoft's filter sometimes blocks names that contain words that are harmless on their own but can be combined to form inappropriate phrases. If you believe your name was blocked by mistake, try adding a number or symbol, or choose a different name. You cannot appeal the block or request an exception.