Xbox charges $9.99 to change your gamertag, and you can do it once for free

Microsoft charges $9.99 each time you change your Xbox username after your first free change. That first change is included with your Xbox account at no cost — you get one freebie when you create your account or whenever you decide to use it. After that, every additional change costs the same $9.99 fee.

The change takes effect when ready once you pay and confirm it. Your old gamertag becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period, usually within a few weeks. Any games, achievements, and friends list stay with your account — the change is just the name that appears to other players.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first Xbox username change is free, but every change after that costs $9.99.
  • The change happens right away once you confirm the payment, and your old gamertag opens up for others to use.
  • You can change your gamertag through the Xbox app on your console, the Xbox website, or the mobile app.
  • Xbox does not refund the $9.99 fee if you change your mind within a certain time frame, so choose carefully before you pay.

How to change your gamertag on Xbox

On an Xbox console, go to Settings, then select Your Profile, and choose Customize Profile. Select Gamertag, enter your new name, and confirm the purchase. The system will tell you if the name is taken or violates Xbox's code of conduct before you pay.

On the Xbox website, sign in to your account, go to Settings, select Personalization, and choose Gamertag. Type your new name and review the cost — it will show $0.00 if you have not used your free change yet, or $9.99 if you have. Confirm and pay if prompted.

On the Xbox mobile app, tap your profile picture, select Customize Profile, choose Gamertag, and follow the same steps. All three methods use the same account system, so a change made on your console will show up on the website and app when ready.

What happens to your old gamertag

Once you change your username, your old gamertag does not disappear right away. Microsoft holds it for a period of time — typically 30 days, though this can vary — before releasing it back into the pool of available names. During that holding period, no one else can claim it, and you cannot switch back to it without paying the $9.99 fee again.

After the holding period ends, anyone can claim your old gamertag. If you had a popular or short name, it may be taken within hours. Your friends list, achievements, and game progress all stay with your new gamertag, so switching does not erase your history.

Restrictions on gamertag changes

Xbox does not let you change your gamertag more than once every 30 days. If you just changed it, you have to wait a full month before you can change it again, even if you pay the $9.99 fee. This rule prevents people from rapidly cycling through names to avoid reputation or hide from other players.

Your new gamertag must follow Xbox's code of conduct — it cannot contain profanity, slurs, or references to drugs, violence, or sexual content. If you choose a name that violates the policy, the system will reject it before you pay. If you pay for a name and Microsoft later decides it violates the code, they can force you to change it without refunding the fee.

Payment methods and refunds

You can pay the $9.99 fee using any payment method linked to your Microsoft account: a credit or debit card, a gift card, or account balance from Xbox Game Pass or other subscriptions. The charge appears as "Xbox Services" on your statement.

Microsoft does not refund the $9.99 gamertag change fee once the transaction is complete. If you change your mind after paying, you cannot get the money back. This is why it is important to decide on a name you are comfortable with before you confirm the purchase — the system shows you the name one more time before charging you, so use that moment to make sure.

Why gamertag changes cost money

The $9.99 fee exists partly to prevent spam and abuse — if changing names were free, people could rapidly switch identities to avoid bans or harassment reports. The fee also covers the cost of updating your name across Xbox's servers, your profile, your friends' lists, and any games that store your username in their databases.

The first free change is meant to let you fix a name you chose hastily or that no longer fits. After that, Microsoft treats it as a service you are paying for, similar to changing your display name on other platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my old gamertag back after someone else claims it?

No. Once the 30-day holding period ends and someone else claims your old gamertag, you cannot get it back. You would have to contact that person and ask them to change it, which they have no reason to do. Plan ahead if you have a gamertag you want to keep.

Do I have to pay $9.99 if I change my gamertag on a different console?

No. Your Xbox account is the same across all consoles and devices. If you change your gamertag on your Xbox Series X, it changes everywhere — your Xbox One, the website, the mobile app, and any other device you sign into. You only pay once per change, not once per device.

What if I used my free gamertag change years ago and forgot?

You can check whether you have used your free change by going to your profile settings and attempting to change your gamertag. If it shows $0.00, you still have it. If it shows $9.99, you have already used it. There is no way to get a second free change.

Can I change my gamertag if I have been banned?

It depends on the type of ban. If your account is suspended temporarily, you can still change your gamertag. If your account is permanently banned, you cannot change anything on it. A permanent ban is meant to be final, so Microsoft does not let you modify the account.

Is there a way to change my gamertag without paying?

Only if you have not used your one free change yet. After that, the $9.99 fee is the only way to change it. Some third-party websites claim to offer free gamertag changes, but these are scams — they either steal your account information or do nothing at all. Always change your gamertag through the official Xbox website or console.