Change your Xbox email through your Microsoft account settings
Your Xbox account runs through Microsoft, so changing the email means going into your Microsoft account, not the Xbox app itself. You can do this from any web browser or from your console. The process takes about five minutes and doesn't require you to create a new account or lose your games, achievements, or friends list.
The email you use is how Microsoft sends you security alerts, password reset links, and billing receipts. If you're changing it because you no longer use the old email address, you should do this soon — if someone gains access to that old email, they can reset your Xbox password and lock you out of your account.
Key Takeaways
- You change your Xbox email by signing into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com, not through the Xbox app or console settings.
- You can add a new email address first and then remove the old one, which keeps your account secure during the switch.
- If you've forgotten your password, use the "Can't sign in?" link on the Xbox sign-in screen to reset it before you change the email.
- After you change your email, you'll sign into Xbox with the new address on all your devices.
Change your email from a computer or phone browser
Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser and sign in with your current Xbox email and password. Once you're logged in, look for "Your info" or "Account" in the left menu — the exact wording varies depending on whether you're on a phone or computer, but it's always near the top.
Click on "Manage your Microsoft account" or "Edit your info". You'll see your current email listed as your "Microsoft account email" or "Primary email". Next to it, click "Change email" or the pencil icon to edit it. Microsoft will ask you to verify that you own the current email by sending a code to that address — check your inbox (and spam folder) for the verification code and enter it.
Once verified, you can type in your new email address. Microsoft recommends adding the new email as an additional email first, then removing the old one. To do this, click "Add email" instead, enter your new address, verify it the same way, and then return to remove the original email. This approach means your account stays accessible even if something goes wrong during the switch.
Change your email from your Xbox console
On your Xbox, press the Xbox button to open the guide, then go to "Profile & system" and select "Profile". Choose "Account" and then "Security & privacy". Look for "Email" or "Contact info" — the exact menu name depends on whether you have an Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, or older console.
Select the email field and you'll be prompted to sign into your Microsoft account through the console's web browser. Follow the same steps as above: verify your current email, add the new one, and remove the old one. The console will walk you through each step. After you finish, you may need to sign out and sign back in on that console for the change to take effect.
What happens to your account when you change the email
Your games, achievements, friends list, and Game Pass subscription all stay with your account — they don't disappear or reset. Your Xbox Live Gold membership also transfers. The only thing that changes is the email address you use to sign in.
On every device where you're signed into Xbox, you'll need to sign out and sign back in using your new email address. This includes your console, the Xbox app on PC, and the mobile Xbox app. If you have multiple consoles set to your account, you'll need to update the email on each one.
If you can't access your current email address
If the email you registered with no longer works — the account was closed, you lost access to it, or it's been compromised — you can't verify ownership the normal way. In this case, go to account.microsoft.com and look for "Can't access your account?" or "Help with your Microsoft account". Microsoft will ask you security questions or send a verification code to a phone number you registered with your account.
Answer those questions or verify through your phone, and Microsoft will let you change your email without needing access to the old one. This process can take longer than the standard email change because Microsoft is confirming you're the real account owner. Have your phone number and any backup email addresses you may have registered ready.
Recovering your account if you forget your new password
After you change your email, write down the new address and your password somewhere safe. If you forget your password later, go to the Xbox sign-in screen and click "Can't sign in?" or "Forgot password?". Microsoft will send a reset link to your new email address, so you need to have access to it to regain entry to your account.
If you change your email and then immediately lose access to the new email address, contact Xbox Support through their website. They can help you regain access, but it's slower than a standard password reset, so avoid this situation by making sure your new email works before you remove the old one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same email for multiple Xbox accounts?
No. Each Xbox account must have its own unique email address. If you try to add an email that's already tied to another account, Microsoft will tell you the email is already in use and won't let you proceed. You can have multiple accounts on one console, but each needs a different email.
What if I want to change my email but keep my old one as a backup?
You can add multiple email addresses to your Microsoft account, but only one can be your primary email — the one you sign in with. Add the new email as a secondary address first, verify it, then remove the old one. If you want to keep the old email attached to your account for recovery purposes, you can add it back as a secondary email after you've switched to the new primary one.
Do I need to change my password when I change my email?
No, your password stays the same. You'll just sign in with your new email address and the same password you've always used. However, if you're changing your email because you think your account was compromised, you should change your password too — do that in the same Microsoft account settings area.
How long does it take for the email change to work on all my devices?
The change is instant on Microsoft's servers, but you need to sign out and sign back in on each device for it to take effect. This usually happens within a few minutes of signing back in. If a device doesn't recognize the new email after 10 minutes, restart the app or console.