How to Change Your Xbox Username for Free
To change your Xbox username for free, you can do so by following these simple steps: sign in to your Xbox account, scroll right to Settings, and then select Profile and Edit Profile > Gamertag > Enter New Gamertag, where you can enter a new gamertag (up to 15 characters) and select Done. This free change is only available once, so choose your new username wisely, as any subsequent changes will cost you $9.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Changing Your Gamertag
- How much does it cost to change your Xbox gamertag the second time? The cost to change your Xbox gamertag for the second time is $9.99 or £7.99 in the UK.
- Why do I have to pay to change my gamertag? You have to pay to change your gamertag because, with Microsoft, you don’t have a nickname, you have an account name, and to change that requires a complete update of your entire account and everything associated with it.
- What happens to your old gamertag when you change it? When you change your gamertag, your old one becomes available for others to claim, but if no one claims it and it follows the Xbox Code of Conduct, you can claim it back.
Keeping Your Existing Gamertag
- Can I keep my existing gamertag? Yes, you can keep your current gamertag with zero change in experience, and no suffix will be attached, but anyone else who chooses the same gamertag as yours will have a suffix added to distinguish them from you.
- Can multiple people have the same Xbox gamertag? Yes, multiple people can have the same Xbox gamertag, but to differentiate, a suffix will be added to the new users.
Refunds and Changing Your Gamertag
- How do I get a refund for a gamertag change? You cannot get a refund if you change your Xbox gamertag, as once you have purchased the gamertag change with Microsoft points, the purchase is final and non-refundable.
- How long does it take to change Xbox username? It can take up to 48 hours for your Xbox username to change, although it’s usually pretty much instant.
Classic Gamertag and Availability
- What is the classic Xbox gamertag? The classic Xbox gamertag is an option to customize a gamertag that can be up to 15 characters without a suffix, used in games that don’t support the new system, such as Xbox 360 games.
- How do I know if my Xbox name is taken? You can check the availability of Xbox Gamertags using Gamertag.world, which is the easiest and fastest way to see if a gamertag is available on Xbox Live.
Xbox Account Management
- How do I change my Microsoft account name? You can change your Microsoft account name by clicking the Manage my Microsoft account link, editing your name, and saving the changes.
- Do Xbox usernames expire? Per the Xbox terms of service, if a person doesn’t sign into their Xbox account for 5 years, the tag will be freed up.
Finding Old Friends and Gamertags
- How do I find my old friend’s gamertag? You can find a friend’s gamertag by using the suggested friends’ function on an Xbox One or in the Windows Xbox app, or they can give you their gamertag directly.
- Can I get my old Xbox gamertag back? You can claim your old Xbox gamertag back if no one has taken it and it follows the Xbox Code of Conduct, but if someone else has already claimed it, you may not be able to get it back unless they release it.
Changing and Using Your Gamertag
- Can I change my gamertag back to an old one? You may not be able to change your gamertag back to an old one, especially if it’s 14 characters and doesn’t meet the current gamertag requirements.
- Will I lose everything if I change my gamertag? No, you won’t lose anything, including your games, as they are tied to your account, which is linked to your email and password, not your gamertag.