You can change your Xbox gamertag through your Microsoft account settings, and the process takes about five minutes

Your gamertag is the name other players see when you're online. Microsoft lets you change it once for free, then charges $9.99 for each change after that. The change takes effect immediately across all Xbox services — your profile, messages, achievements, and any games you're playing.

You don't need to own an Xbox console to do this. If you have a Microsoft account, you can change your gamertag from a phone, tablet, or computer. The old name becomes available for someone else to claim after a few months, but your achievement history and friends list stay attached to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first gamertag change is free; every change after that costs $9.99 through the Xbox website or app.
  • You can change your gamertag from any device with internet access by signing into your Microsoft account, not just from a console.
  • The change happens instantly across all Xbox services, but your old name becomes available for others to use after a waiting period.
  • Offensive, impersonating, or sexually explicit gamertags will be rejected during the change process, and repeated violations can result in a permanent ban.

Changing your gamertag on the Xbox website

Go to account.xbox.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select My profile. You'll see your current gamertag displayed prominently on the page.

Click Edit profile, then select the field that shows your gamertag. Type your new name into the box. Xbox will tell you immediately if the name is already taken or violates the code of conduct — you can't use spaces, and the name must be between 3 and 15 characters. Once you've entered a name that's available, click Save. If this is your first change, you won't be charged. If you've already used your free change, you'll be asked to pay $9.99 before the change goes through.

Changing your gamertag in the Xbox app

Open the Xbox app on your phone, tablet, or Windows PC. Tap or click your profile picture, usually in the top left or top right corner. Select Profile or My profile depending on your device.

Look for an Edit button or pencil icon next to your gamertag. Tap or click it, then enter your new name. The app will check availability in real time. If the name is available and follows the rules, confirm the change. You'll see the same $9.99 charge if you've already used your free change.

What happens to your old gamertag

Your old gamertag doesn't disappear from your account history. Your achievements, game progress, and friends list all stay connected to your Microsoft account under your new name. When you look at your achievement list or game history, it will show your new gamertag, not the old one.

The old name itself becomes available for someone else to claim after about 30 days. This means a new player could eventually use your former gamertag, but they won't have access to your account, achievements, or friends. Your account remains yours — only the name changes.

Gamertag rules and what gets rejected

Xbox rejects gamertags that contain profanity, slurs, or sexually explicit language. Names that impersonate real people, celebrities, or Xbox staff are also blocked. The system checks these automatically when you try to save, so you'll know right away if your choice violates the code of conduct.

If you change your gamertag to something that breaks the rules and it somehow gets through the filter, Xbox can force you to change it again without refunding the $9.99. Repeated violations can lead to a temporary suspension of your account or a permanent ban, depending on the severity. Stick to names that wouldn't be inappropriate in a conversation with a stranger.

If you can't change your gamertag

The most common reason the change won't go through is that the name is already taken. Try variations — add numbers, abbreviations, or underscores if Xbox allows them in your region. Some regions have different character restrictions, so what works in one country might not work in another.

If the website or app says your account isn't may be able to access to change its gamertag, you may have a suspension or enforcement action on your account. Check account.xbox.com/enforcement to see if there are any active restrictions. If you see an enforcement notice, you'll need to wait until it expires before you can change your name. Contact Xbox Support through the website if you believe the restriction is a mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my games or achievements if I change my gamertag?

No. Your games, achievements, game progress, and friends list all stay with your account. Only the name displayed changes. When you log in with your new gamertag, everything you've earned is still there.

Can I change my gamertag back to my old one for free?

Only if you haven't used your free change yet. If you've already changed your name once, changing it back costs $9.99 like any other change. The old name also has to be available — if someone else claimed it in the meantime, you can't use it.

What if someone else is using a gamertag I want?

You'll have to choose a different name. Xbox doesn't force inactive players to change their gamertags, so if someone claimed the name you want, it's theirs unless they abandon their account. Try adding numbers or a short prefix to make a similar name available.

Does changing my gamertag affect my Xbox Live subscription or Game Pass?

No. Your subscription and Game Pass membership stay active and attached to your account. The change only affects the name other players see — it doesn't touch your billing, subscription status, or access to games.