You can change your Xbox gamertag through your Microsoft account settings on any device with internet access

Your Xbox gamertag is the name other players see when you play online. Microsoft lets you change it once for free, and additional changes cost $9.99 each. The process takes about five minutes and works the same whether you change it on your console, a computer, or a phone — you are always changing it through your Microsoft account, not through the Xbox app itself.

You do not need to be signed into your Xbox console to make the change. As long as you know your Microsoft account password, you can change your gamertag from anywhere. The new name takes effect when ready across all your Xbox devices and in your Microsoft profile.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first gamertag change is free; any change after that costs $9.99 and requires a valid payment method on your Microsoft account.
  • You change your gamertag through the Microsoft account website or the Xbox app, not through console settings alone.
  • The new gamertag appears when ready on all your devices and in online multiplayer games.
  • Gamertags must be between 3 and 15 characters, cannot contain spaces, and cannot include certain symbols or offensive words.
  • If your desired name is taken, the system will suggest alternatives or let you add numbers to make it unique.

How to change your gamertag on a computer or phone

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account email and password. Click on your profile picture or name in the top right corner, then select View profile. On the profile page, look for the option that says Edit profile or Manage your Microsoft account — the exact wording varies depending on whether you are on a computer or phone.

Once you are in your profile settings, find the section labeled Gamertag or Xbox profile. Click or tap on it to open the gamertag editor. Type your new name into the text field. The system will check in real time whether the name is available. If it is taken, you will see a message saying so, and you can either try a different name or let the system suggest variations by adding numbers.

After you have entered a name that is available, review the cost. If this is your first change, it will show Free. If you have already used your free change, it will show $9.99. Click Check availability or Confirm to proceed. If a payment is required, you will be asked to confirm your payment method before the change goes through.

How to change your gamertag on your Xbox console

Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide menu. Navigate to Profile & system in the top left, then select Profile. Choose your account from the list. Scroll down to find Customize profile and select it. You should see an option for Gamertag — select it to open the editor.

Type your new gamertag into the field. The console will check availability as you type. Once you have a name you want, select Check availability. If the name is free and this is your first change, you will see Free displayed. Select Confirm to complete the change. If you have already used your free change, you will be prompted to enter a payment method before the system processes the $9.99 charge.

What names are not allowed

Gamertags must be between 3 and 15 characters long. They cannot contain spaces, and they cannot start or end with a number. Microsoft blocks names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity. The system also blocks names that are too similar to Microsoft employee names or that impersonate public figures.

If you try to use a name that breaks these rules, the system will reject it and explain why. You will not be charged if the name is rejected — you can try again with a different name at no cost. The only time you are charged is when you confirm a name that the system has already told you is available.

What happens if your desired name is taken

When you search for a gamertag and it is already in use, the system will not let you use it exactly as typed. Instead, you have two options: try a completely different name, or let Microsoft suggest variations. The suggestions usually add numbers to the end of your desired name — for example, if you want "ShadowKnight" but it is taken, the system might suggest "ShadowKnight47" or "ShadowKnight2024".

You can accept one of these suggestions, modify the suggestion further, or ignore it and type something entirely different. There is no penalty for searching for names that are taken — you are only charged when you confirm a name that is available and choose to keep it.

How to undo a gamertag change

You cannot undo a gamertag change once it is confirmed. However, you can change it again to your old name if you want — but this will count as a paid change unless it was your first change overall. If you changed your gamertag for the first time and when ready regret it, contact Xbox Support through support.xbox.com within a short window (usually a few days) to ask about reversing it. Support cannot always reverse changes, but it is worth asking if you made a mistake.

For any change after your first one, you will need to pay $9.99 each time, even if you are changing back to a previous name. Plan your new gamertag carefully before you confirm it, since the cost adds up if you change your mind frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my gamertag if I do not want to?

No. Your original gamertag stays active indefinitely unless you change it. You are never required to update it, and there is no important date or expiration date. You can keep the same gamertag for as long as you have your Xbox account.

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

Yes. Your friends list does not break when you change your gamertag. They will see your new name the next time they log in, and they can still message and play with you. Your old gamertag is retired and cannot be used by anyone, including you, unless you pay to change back to it.

Can I change my gamertag more than once?

Yes, as many times as you want. Your first change is free. Every change after that costs $9.99. Each change requires a valid payment method on your Microsoft account, and the new name takes effect when ready.

What if I see an error message when I try to confirm my new gamertag?

The most common errors are payment-related — your card may have expired, or your account may have insufficient funds. Check that your payment method is current in your Microsoft account settings. If the error is about the gamertag itself, the name may have been taken by someone else between the time you checked and the time you confirmed. Try searching for a different name.