Change your Xbox password through your Microsoft account settings, not through the console itself

Your Xbox password is actually your Microsoft account password. When you change it, the change applies everywhere you use that account — Xbox, Outlook, OneDrive, and any other Microsoft service. You cannot change the password from the Xbox console. Instead, you go to the Microsoft account website, sign in, and update it there. The change takes effect when ready, and you will need the new password the next time you sign in on any device.

The process takes about five minutes. You will need to know your current password and have access to the email address or phone number linked to your account. If you have forgotten your current password, you can reset it using account recovery before you set a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Xbox passwords are managed through your Microsoft account online, not on the console itself.
  • You need your current password to change it, unless you use the account recovery process.
  • The new password takes effect when ready on all devices where you use that Microsoft account.
  • If you share your console with others, changing your password will sign everyone out of your account on that device.
  • A strong password includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and should not contain your username or real name.

Steps to change your password on a computer or phone

Go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser on your computer or phone. Sign in with your email address and current password. Click on your profile picture or name in the top right corner, then select View account or My account.

On the left side of the page, click Security. Under the section labeled Password, click Change password. Enter your current password once more to confirm it is you. Type your new password in the first box, then type it again in the second box to confirm you spelled it correctly. Click Next, then Finish.

Microsoft will send a confirmation email to the address on your account. You do not need to do anything with this email — it is just a record that the change happened. Your new password is active right away.

What happens on your Xbox console after you change your password

The next time you try to use your account on the Xbox, the console will ask you to sign in again with your new password. You will not be able to use the old password. If other people are signed into your account on that console, they will be signed out automatically, and they will need the new password to sign back in.

If you have set up your console as your home Xbox, other people on that console can still play games you own without signing in with your account — the home Xbox setting is separate from your password. But if they want to sign into your account specifically, they will need the new password.

If you have forgotten your current password

Go to account.microsoft.com/security and click I forgot my password. Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address or phone number. You will then choose how you want to recover your account — usually by receiving a code through email or text message.

Enter the code Microsoft sends you, then create a new password. You do not need to remember the old password for this process. Once you have set a new password, you can sign into your Xbox with it when ready.

Creating a password that is hard to guess

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like !, @, #, or $. An example of a strong password is BlueSky#2024Tree — it mixes capital and lowercase letters, includes a number and a symbol, and does not spell out a real word or name.

Do not use your username, your real name, your birth year, or the word "Xbox" anywhere in your password. Do not reuse a password you have used on other websites. If someone breaks into one website and finds your password, they could use it to access your Xbox account too. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can generate strong passwords and remember them for you.

Signing out of your account on other devices

If you think someone else knows your password, or if you have used your account on a device you no longer own, you can sign out of your account on those devices from the Microsoft website. Go to account.microsoft.com/security and look for the section called Your devices or Recent activity.

You will see a list of computers, phones, and other devices where you have recently signed in. Click on any device and select Sign out. That device will be signed out of your account when ready, even if someone is using it right now. They will need your password to sign back in. This is useful if you sold an old console or lent your account to someone you no longer trust.

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security

Two-factor authentication means that even if someone knows your password, they cannot sign into your account without a second piece of information — usually a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app. This makes your account much harder to break into.

To turn on two-factor authentication, go to account.microsoft.com/security and click Advanced security options. Select Two-step verification and choose whether you want codes sent by text message, email, or generated by an authenticator app like Microsoft Authenticator. Follow the steps to confirm your phone number or set up the app. From then on, you will need to enter a code every time you sign in on a new device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password on the Xbox console itself?

No. The Xbox console does not have a password change feature. You must go to account.microsoft.com on a computer or phone to change it. The console will ask you to sign in again with your new password the next time you use your account.

Will changing my password affect my Game Pass subscription or saved games?

No. Your Game Pass subscription, saved games, achievements, and game library are all tied to your account, not to your password. Changing your password does not touch any of those things. You will still have access to everything once you sign in with the new password.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one?

You can reset it using the account recovery process at account.microsoft.com/security. Click I forgot my password and follow the steps to verify your identity using email or phone. You will be able to set a new password without knowing the old one.

Can I change my password on the Xbox app for Windows?

No. The Xbox app does not have a password change feature either. You must use account.microsoft.com in a web browser. However, once you change your password there, the Xbox app will ask you to sign in again with the new password.

If I change my password, will my friends still see me online?

Yes. Your friends list, online status, and messages are all part of your account and do not change when you update your password. Once you sign back in with the new password, everything will look the same as before.