How to Change Your Xbox Gamertag
By Fred, Editor
Xbox lets you change your gamertag, but your first change is free and later ones cost a fee. Here is the exact path, plus how to stop the old gamertag slipping away.
Why Change Your Xbox Gamertag?
Your gamertag is the name friends, teammates and lobbies see. Changing it can help you:
- Move away from the auto-generated name Xbox gave you at signup
- Match the handle you already use on PSN, Steam and Twitch
- Drop the trailing numbers and pick something memorable
- Rebrand after changing what you play or stream
📋 Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Xbox Gamertag
- 1
Open your Xbox profile
Go to account.xbox.com on the web, or open the Xbox app on console, PC or mobile and sign in.
- 2
Choose "Change gamertag"
On the web, open your profile and select "Change gamertag". On console, go to Settings → Account → Change gamertag.
- 3
Type your new name
Enter the gamertag you want: 1 to 15 characters, letters, numbers and single spaces. Xbox shows whether it is available.
- 4
Confirm the change and any fee
Your first change is free. Later changes cost a fee, so review both the name and the price before you confirm.
- 5
Check your old gamertag
Your old gamertag is released the moment you change. If it is valuable, claim it on another account or set up monitoring.
Claim your handle before someone else does
Enter a username and get alerted the moment it becomes available on any platform.
⚠️ Important Things to Know Before Changing
💰 First change free, later ones paid
Xbox gives you one free gamertag change. After that each change carries a fee, so pick something you will keep.
🔢 Numbers may be added
If you keep an auto-generated gamertag, Xbox adds a suffix like #1234. Choosing your own unique name removes it.
⚡ Your old name is released
Once you change, anyone can take your old gamertag. Secure it elsewhere or monitor it if it matters.
🔗 Old links break
Profile links with the old gamertag stop working. Update your bio, Discord and social links.
🎮 Existence, not claimability
Xbox only tells us whether a gamertag exists; reserved names look free but cannot be claimed.
✅ Best Practices for Choosing Your New Gamertag
🎯 Want a Gamertag That's Already Taken?
If the gamertag you want is taken, do not give up. Gamertags free up when accounts go inactive or get deleted. Set up 24/7 monitoring and get an instant email the moment it drops.
Claim your handle before someone else does
Enter a username and get alerted the moment it becomes available on any platform.
⚡ Free monitoring • Hourly checks available • Track across Xbox, PSN and 38 more