Where to find your Xbox password depends on your device

Your Xbox password is the same as your Microsoft account password — the one you use to sign into Windows, Outlook, or any Microsoft service. You cannot see it displayed anywhere on your Xbox console or in the Xbox app. Instead, you reset it through your Microsoft account online, or you can use a passwordless sign-in method like Windows Hello or your phone.

If you remember your password but want to change it for security reasons, you can do that from any web browser. If you have forgotten it entirely, Microsoft can send you a recovery code to an email address or phone number linked to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Xbox does not display your password anywhere — it is stored only by Microsoft and protected by encryption.
  • You can reset your password at account.microsoft.com from any device with a web browser.
  • If you have forgotten your password, Microsoft will send a recovery code to your backup email or phone number.
  • You can sign into Xbox without a password by using Windows Hello on your console or a phone sign-in code.
  • Changing your Microsoft password changes it for Xbox, Outlook, OneDrive, and all other Microsoft services at once.

Reset your password through your Microsoft account online

Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser and sign in with your email address. Once you are signed in, select Security from the left menu, then select Password. Click Change password.

Microsoft will ask you to enter your current password once more to confirm your identity. Then type your new password twice — once to enter it, once to confirm it matches. Your new password takes effect when ready on all devices, including your Xbox console. You will need to sign in again on any device where you were previously signed in.

If you are already signed into your Xbox console, you do not need to sign in again right away — the console will prompt you the next time you try to access an online feature or the next time you restart the console.

Recover your password if you have forgotten it

Go to account.microsoft.com and select Can't access your account at the bottom of the sign-in screen. Enter your email address and select Next. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to a backup email address or phone number you registered with your account.

Check the email inbox or text messages for the recovery code. Enter it on the Microsoft website, and you will be able to set a new password. If you no longer have access to your backup email or phone number, select I don't have access to these and Microsoft will walk you through additional verification steps, which may include answering security questions you set up previously.

Recovery can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on which verification method you use. Once your password is reset, sign into your Xbox console with your email address and new password.

Use Windows Hello to sign in without typing a password

If your Xbox console has a Kinect camera or if you are using an Xbox Series X or Series S, you can set up Windows Hello facial recognition. This lets you sign in by looking at the camera instead of entering a password.

On your console, go to Settings > Account > Sign-in, security & passkey > Windows Hello. Follow the on-screen prompts to scan your face. Once set up, you can sign in by standing in front of the camera. You still need to know your password for account recovery and for signing in on other devices, but you will not need to type it on your console.

Use phone sign-in to avoid typing your password

You can sign into Xbox on a console or PC using your phone instead of typing your password. On your Xbox or Windows device, select Sign in with your phone at the sign-in screen. A code will appear on the screen.

On your phone, open the Microsoft Authenticator app (available free on iOS and Android). Select your account, then select Approve when prompted. The code on your screen will disappear, and you will be signed in. This method works even if you have forgotten your password, as long as you can sign into the Authenticator app on your phone.

Change your password on Xbox app for Windows

Open the Xbox app on your Windows PC and select your profile icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then Account. Select Security and then Change password. You will be taken to account.microsoft.com to complete the change, which is the same process as resetting it through the website directly.

Alternatively, you can skip the Xbox app entirely and go straight to account.microsoft.com, which is faster if you just want to change your password without opening the app.

What to do if you think your password has been compromised

If you believe someone else has access to your account, change your password when ready through account.microsoft.com. Then go to account.microsoft.com/security/recent-activity and review the list of devices and locations that have signed in recently. If you see a sign-in from a place you do not recognize, select it and choose This wasn't me.

Microsoft will sign out that device and may ask you to verify your identity again. You should also check your backup email and phone number to make sure they are still correct — if someone has changed them, you may have trouble recovering your account later. Consider enabling two-factor authentication (also called two-step verification) in your security settings to add an extra layer of protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my Xbox password anywhere on my console?

No. Xbox does not display passwords anywhere on the console, in the app, or in your account settings. Passwords are encrypted and stored only by Microsoft. If you need to change it, you must go through account.microsoft.com.

What if I change my Microsoft password — does it change my Xbox password too?

Yes. Your Xbox password and your Microsoft account password are the same thing. Changing one changes all of them at once across Outlook, OneDrive, Windows sign-in, and every other Microsoft service.

Can I sign into Xbox without remembering my password?

Yes. You can use Windows Hello facial recognition on Xbox Series X, Series S, or any console with a Kinect camera. You can also use phone sign-in through the Microsoft Authenticator app, which works even if you have forgotten your password.

How long does it take to recover a forgotten password?

If you have access to your backup email or phone number, recovery usually takes a few minutes. If you need additional verification steps, it can take several hours. Microsoft will guide you through the process and let you know what to expect.

What should I do if my account was hacked?

Change your password when ready at account.microsoft.com, then check your recent activity to see if anyone signed in from an unfamiliar location. Review your backup email and phone number to make sure they have not been changed. Enable two-factor authentication in your security settings for extra protection.