You can change your Xbox gamertag once per year at no cost
Microsoft lets you change your gamertag one time every 12 months without paying anything. After that first free change, each additional change costs $9.99. The process takes about five minutes and happens right on your console or through the Xbox website — you do not need to call support or wait for approval.
Your gamertag is the name that appears to other players when you play online. Changing it does not affect your account, your games, your achievements, or your friends list. Everything stays attached to your account; only the display name changes.
Key Takeaways
- You get one free gamertag change every 12 months; additional changes cost $9.99 each.
- The change takes effect immediately on your console and across all Xbox services.
- Your games, achievements, friends, and account balance stay exactly the same.
- You can change your gamertag on your console, on the Xbox website, or through the Xbox mobile app.
- Profane or offensive gamertags get flagged by Microsoft and you will be asked to change them again.
How to change your gamertag on your Xbox console
Start at the home screen of your Xbox. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide menu on the left side of the screen. Scroll up to find your profile picture and gamertag at the top of the menu.
Select your profile, then choose Customize profile. You will see several options; select Gamertag. The system will show you whether your free change is still available or if you have already used it this year. Type in your new gamertag and select Check availability. If the name is taken, Xbox will suggest similar alternatives. Once you find one that is available, select it and confirm the change. The new name appears on your console immediately.
How to change your gamertag on the Xbox website
Go to account.xbox.com in any web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select Your profile from the menu on the left side.
Look for the section showing your current gamertag and select Edit gamertag or the pencil icon next to your name. Type your new gamertag into the box and select Check availability. If it is available, select it and confirm. The change takes effect within a few minutes across all your devices.
What gamertags you cannot use
Microsoft blocks gamertags that contain profanity, slurs, hate speech, or references to illegal activity. The system also rejects names that impersonate Microsoft staff, celebrities, or other well-known accounts. Gamertags with excessive numbers or symbols, or names that are just random characters, may be rejected during the availability check.
If you change your gamertag to something that violates the Code of Conduct, Microsoft will flag it and send you a message asking you to change it again. You will have a set number of days to pick a new one. If you do not change it, your account may face restrictions. This second change does not count against your free annual change — it is a separate enforcement action.
What happens to your old gamertag
Once you change your gamertag, your old name becomes available for someone else to use after a short delay. You cannot reserve it or get it back later. If you think you might want your old gamertag again, wait before changing it.
Your friends will see your new gamertag the next time they log in. Old messages and party chat history still show your old name, but your profile and all future activity displays the new one. Games you have already played and achievements you have earned stay on your account under your new gamertag.
If your free change has already been used
If you have already changed your gamertag once in the past 12 months, the system will tell you when you can make another free change. The 12-month timer resets from the date you made your last change, not from January 1st.
If you want to change your gamertag before the 12 months are up, you can pay $9.99 to change it immediately. Select the option to pay during the gamertag change process on your console or the website. The charge appears on your Microsoft account or payment method within a few minutes.
Troubleshooting a gamertag change that is not working
If the availability check keeps rejecting your chosen name, the gamertag may already be taken, contain blocked words, or have too many numbers. Try a different spelling, add a number or symbol, or pick a completely different name. The system will suggest alternatives if your first choice is not available.
If you see an error message during the change process, sign out of your account completely and sign back in. If you are on your console, restart it. If you are on the website, clear your browser cache and try again in a different browser. If the problem continues, the issue may be temporary server maintenance — wait a few minutes and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my gamertag affect my games or achievements?
No. Your games, achievements, game progress, and account balance all stay exactly the same. Only the name that displays to other players changes. You keep access to everything you own.
Can I change my gamertag more than once a year for free?
No. You get one free change every 12 months. After that, each change costs $9.99. The 12-month timer starts from the date you made your last change.
What if someone else takes the gamertag I want?
Gamertags are first-come, first-served. If the name is taken, you cannot use it. Try a variation with a number, underscore, or different spelling. Xbox will suggest available alternatives when you search.
Will my friends still see me after I change my gamertag?
Yes. Your friends list does not change, and your friends will see your new gamertag the next time they log in. You stay in all the same groups and communities.
Can I change my gamertag on my phone?
Yes. Download the Xbox mobile app, sign in, go to your profile, and select the option to edit your gamertag. The process is the same as on the website.