Can You Change Your Xbox Account Age? Everything You Need to Know

Yes, you can change the age associated with your Xbox account, but the process depends on whether you have a child account or an adult account and your situation within a Microsoft Family group. Changing your Xbox account age is directly linked to modifying the date of birth on your associated Microsoft account. This modification impacts the access you have to certain content, features, and online services. Therefore, understanding the process is crucial for seamless gaming experience.

How to Change Your Age on Your Xbox Account

The primary method for altering your Xbox account age involves adjusting the date of birth on your Microsoft account. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

For Adult Accounts

1. Sign in to Your Microsoft Account: Navigate to account.microsoft.com and sign in using your email and password.
2. Go to Your Info: On the navigation bar, click on Your info.
3. Edit Your Profile Info: Select Edit profile info under your profile summary.
4. Change Date of Birth: Look for the date of birth field, and correct it. Note that for security purposes, you may be asked to re-enter your password or verify your identity using a security code sent to your alternate email or phone number.
5. Save Your Changes: Once the date of birth has been amended, click Save.

Once you complete these steps, the date of birth associated with your Microsoft account will be updated, which will reflect on your Xbox account. However, remember this applies to adult accounts.

For Child Accounts

Changing a child account’s age is more nuanced, requiring an adult account within a Microsoft family setup. Here’s what you should know:

• Parental Control: If your account is classified as a child account, you cannot directly modify your age. Instead, a parent or an adult member of the Microsoft Family group needs to make the changes.
• Microsoft Family Website: The designated adult account needs to sign into the family management settings at family.microsoft.com.
• Manage Permissions: On the Your Family page, select the child’s profile. Go to Manage consent and on the Manage Permissions page, choose Edit this child’s personal info.
• Adjust Date of Birth: Proceed with correcting the date of birth, and then select Save.

It is crucial to understand that the age of majority differs in regions, often 18 years old, but it can vary (for example, it can be 19 in South Korea). If a child account has an age set below the age of majority, certain content and services may be restricted.

Why is My Xbox Account Age Restricted?

If your account is age-restricted, it’s likely due to the following reasons:

• Incorrect Date of Birth: The date of birth entered during account creation was incorrect, placing you below the age of majority for Microsoft services.
• Child Account Status: The account was created as a child account and is part of a Microsoft Family group.
• Family Content Restrictions: Family content restrictions on the Xbox network may be set to filter content suitable for specific ages.

Understanding the Microsoft Family Group

The Microsoft Family group is a service that allows parents to manage and set restrictions for child accounts. It provides tools to control:

• Screen time
• Spending limits
• Content access
• Privacy settings

When a child account is set up under the age of majority, it falls under the control of an adult account in the family group. Any age changes require the authorization of an adult member of the group.

How to Remove Age Restrictions

Here’s how to tackle those restrictions:

1. Correct Date of Birth: First, accurately adjust the date of birth on your Microsoft account as described earlier.
2. Microsoft Family Settings: Go to the Microsoft Family website, and if you are the child in question, have your parent access the website and remove the child from their parent controlled account..
3. Xbox App Settings: Open the Xbox Family Settings App.
4. Content Restrictions: Under Content restrictions, select Apply age filters. Adjust the age limit to Age 18+ (unrestricted), and then select Save.

Important Considerations

• Verification: Microsoft may require you to verify your identity by re-entering your password or using a security code.
• Changes May Not Be Immediate: Updated settings may take time to fully reflect across all services.
• Contacting Support: If the changes do not work or you encounter persistent issues, it’s crucial to contact Xbox Support.

By following these instructions, you should be able to effectively change your Xbox account age and manage the necessary settings to align with your correct age and gaming preferences. It is essential to ensure your Microsoft account settings reflect your correct information to avoid future complications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I change my Xbox account age if I am still a child within a Microsoft Family?

No, you cannot directly change it. You will need an adult in your family group to go to the Microsoft Family website and update the date of birth of your account.

2. What happens to my Xbox account when I turn 18?

Typically, nothing automatically happens. Your account will remain as is, but if you were a child account under a Microsoft Family group, you will likely have your parent remove you from the family after the date of birth change.

3. Why does my Xbox account say I’m a child even when I’m an adult?

This likely happens when your account’s date of birth is set below the age of majority, or if you are still included in a Microsoft family account when over the age of 18.

4. How do I remove parental control from my Xbox account?

The adult in your Microsoft family needs to remove your account from the family group through the Microsoft Family website.

5. Can I change my date of birth on Xbox multiple times?

While you can change it, excessive changes might flag the account for security checks. Microsoft may require additional verification if changes are made often.

6. What is the minimum age to have an Xbox account?

The minimum age is 13 years old according to Microsoft, but those under 13 will require parental supervision.

7. What if I can’t access the Microsoft Family website?

Ensure you are signed into the correct adult Microsoft account that is linked to the family.

8. How do I know if I have a child account?

If you are asked for parental permission when attempting to access content or if your settings are locked, you likely have a child account.

9. How can I verify my date of birth on Xbox?

Sign into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com. Navigate to “Your info” and then “Edit profile info” to verify your current date of birth.

10. Why is my Xbox account asking for parental consent?

You are likely recognized as a child within the Microsoft Family group due to your associated date of birth or because you are linked to the family group as a child.

11. What are content restrictions on Xbox?

Content restrictions limit the access to games, movies, and online features based on the user’s age.

12. Is there a way to bypass age restrictions on my Xbox?

The only legitimate way is to ensure your account’s date of birth is correct and that no age filters are in place. Bypassing restrictions can violate Microsoft’s terms of service.

13. How do I unlink my child account from a parent account on Xbox?

Through the Microsoft Family website, an adult account needs to remove the child from the family group.

14. Can I create multiple adult Xbox accounts under one Microsoft account?

No, you can have multiple Microsoft accounts but not multiple adult Xbox accounts linked to a singular Microsoft Account. Each will need its own unique profile.

15. What should I do if I encounter errors when changing my age on Xbox?

If you run into issues when making changes on your account, contact Xbox Support for assistance and they will resolve it. They will guide you to the correct solution.