Change your Halo Infinite username through your Microsoft account

Your Halo Infinite username is tied to your Microsoft account, so you change it the same way you would change your Xbox gamertag. You do this through the Microsoft account settings online, not inside the game itself. The change takes effect when ready in Halo Infinite and across all Xbox services.

You get one free username change every 30 days. If you change your mind and want to revert to a previous name, you can do that as one of your 30-day changes — it counts as a new change, not a reversal. After your first free change, Microsoft charges for additional changes within the same 30-day window.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and select "Your info" to find the gamertag change option.
  • You get one free username change every 30 days; additional changes within that period cost money.
  • The new name appears in Halo Infinite within seconds and works across Xbox Live, Game Pass, and other Microsoft services.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after a short delay, usually within hours.
  • Some names are blocked by Microsoft's filter — profanity, slurs, and references to real public figures cannot be used.

Step-by-step process to change your gamertag

Start by opening a web browser and going to account.microsoft.com. Sign in with the Microsoft account connected to your Halo Infinite profile. If you play on console, this is the account you use to sign into your Xbox. If you play on PC, it is the account you selected when you launched Halo Infinite for the first time.

Once you are signed in, look for "Your info" in the left menu and click it. On the main panel, you will see your current gamertag displayed. Click "Edit gamertag" or the pencil icon next to your name. A text box will open where you can type your new username. Enter the name you want, then click "Check availability" to see if it is already taken. If it is available, click "Save" to confirm the change.

The system will ask you to confirm that you understand this counts as your free monthly change. Click through the confirmation, and your new gamertag will be active when ready. You do not need to restart Halo Infinite — the change syncs automatically.

What names Microsoft will not allow

Microsoft's filter blocks usernames that contain profanity, slurs, hate speech, or references to real public figures and celebrities. It also rejects names that impersonate Microsoft staff or Xbox support. The filter is automated, so you will see "This gamertag is not available" without explanation if your choice violates the policy.

If you think your name was blocked incorrectly, you can try slight variations — adding a number, changing a letter, or using a different spelling. There is no formal appeal process for rejected names, so experimentation is the fastest way forward. Names that are straightforward too similar to existing ones will also be rejected, so avoid copying famous players or streamers.

Timing and cost of additional changes

Your 30-day window resets from the date you made your last change, not on a calendar date. If you changed your name on March 15, your next free change is available on April 15. Any changes you make between those dates cost money — Microsoft charges a small fee per additional change, though the exact amount varies by region and currency.

Before you pay for a change, consider whether you can wait 30 days. If you made a mistake or do not like your new name, you can use your next free monthly change to go back to something else. Many players use their free change strategically — changing once a month to test different names before settling on one they want to keep long-term.

How your old username becomes available again

When you change your gamertag, your old name does not disappear when ready. Microsoft holds it for a short period — usually a few hours to a day — before releasing it back into the pool of available names. During that holding period, no one else can claim it, and you cannot reclaim it either. Once it is released, the first person to search for it and claim it owns it.

This matters if you had a name you were proud of or that other players knew you by. If you think you might want it back, do not change to something else and then wait — use your next free monthly change within 30 days to reclaim it before someone else does. After 30 days, you would have to pay to change back.

Changing your username on console versus PC

The process is identical whether you play on Xbox Series X, Xbox One, or PC. You always change your gamertag through account.microsoft.com, not through the game or console settings. Console settings let you change your profile name (the display name on your Xbox home screen), but that is different from your gamertag — your gamertag is what appears in Halo Infinite and online.

If you are on console and want to avoid opening a browser, you can change your gamertag through the Xbox app on Windows PC, or through the Xbox mobile app on your phone. The steps are the same: sign in, go to your profile, find the gamertag option, and enter your new name. The change syncs to your console and to Halo Infinite within seconds.

What happens to your stats and progress

Changing your username does not affect your rank, battle pass progress, cosmetics, or any unlocked items in Halo Infinite. Everything stays with your account. Other players will see your new name in matches, but your match history, kill-death ratio, and seasonal rank all carry over. If you were Onyx rank before the change, you remain Onyx rank after.

Friends who had you added under your old name will still see you in their friends list under your new name. You do not need to re-add anyone or re-join any groups. The change is purely cosmetic — it updates your label across the system without touching any of your account data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once in 30 days?

Yes, but only your first change each month is free. Additional changes within the same 30-day window cost money. If you change your name on day 5 and want to change again on day 20, you will pay for the second change. On day 35, you get another free change.

What if someone else takes my old gamertag after I change it?

Once your old name is released, it is available to anyone. If someone claims it before you can reclaim it, you cannot get it back unless they change their name and release it again. This is why it is important to reclaim a name you want within your 30-day window if you think you might need it later.

Does changing my username affect my Xbox Live friends or party chat?

No. Your friends list, party invites, and chat history all stay the same. Friends see your new name when ready, but they do not need to re-add you or do anything on their end. You remain in the same groups and communities.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my gamertag?

Gamertags can include numbers and some special characters, but spaces are not allowed. Hyphens, underscores, and periods are usually accepted, but the system will tell you if your chosen character is not allowed when you try to save.

How long does it take for my new username to show up in Halo Infinite?

Your new gamertag appears in Halo Infinite within seconds of saving it on Microsoft's website. You do not need to restart the game or your console. If you are already in a match when you change it, you may need to back out to the main menu and rejoin for other players to see the new name.