How to Change Your Xbox Gamertag

Don't like your screen name? Get a new one!

What to Know

  • Xbox One: Press Guide, then select profile image. Choose My Profile > Customize. Select your Gamertag and input a name. Choose Claim It.
  • Xbox 360: Choose Social > Sign in or out. Choose profile, then select Settings > Profile > Edit Profile > Gamertag > Enter New Gamertag.
  • Xbox website: Go to account.xbox.com. Enter your new preferred Gamertag, then select Check Availability. Follow the instructions.

There are several ways to change your Xbox network gamertag. In this guide, we show you how to do so on Xbox One, Xbox 360, the Xbox website, and the Windows 10 Xbox app.

How to Change Xbox Gamertag on Xbox One

You can change your gamertag directly from your console by following these steps.

  1. Press the Guide button in the very middle of the Xbox controller.

  2. Select your picture in the upper left corner of the screen, then press the A button.

  3. Select My Profile > Customize.

  4. Select your gamertag and input the new name you desire. The system will tell you whether or not the option is available.

  5. Select Claim It and you're done.

Changing your gamertag will have no impact on your saved preferences, achievements; it will simply change your displayed name and how people find you on the Xbox network. It will also automatically change on Friends' lists, but they may not know who you are.

How to Change Gamertag on Xbox 360

The method for changing your gamertag on Xbox 360 is a bit different from the Xbox One, but follows a similar procedure.

  1. Select Social > Sign in or out.

  2. Select your profile. Scroll right to Settings, then select Profile.

  3. Select Edit Profile > Gamertag.

  4. Select Enter New Gamertag.

  5. Type your new gamertag, then select Done. If your gamertag is available, you're all set. Otherwise, you'll be prompted to enter something else.

You can change your gamertag once for free, but only if you originally chose a randomly assigned pne. If you choose your own, Microsoft charges you every time you change it.

How to Change Gamertag From the Xbox Website

If you don't have access to your console, you can still change your gamertag from any web browser.

  1. On your internet browser, navigate to the Change Gamertag page on account.xbox.com.

  2. You're prompted to enter your account information. Do so.

    xbox account sign in screen
  3. Enter your new gamertag, then select Check Availability.

  4. Just like on the Xbox One, if the gamertag is available, select Claim It.

Close up of XBOX controller in black and white
Tom Wood / Getty Images 

How to Change Your Gamertag From the Windows 10 Xbox App

The last option for changing your gamertag follows a pretty similar procedure to the other methods, but uses the Xbox app for Windows 10.

  1. Login to the Windows 10 Xbox app on your PC using your associated email and password.

  2. Choose your gamerpic in the top left corner of the Xbox app home screen.

  3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.

    The Windows 10 Xbox app with the Settings option highlighted
  4. Select Change Gamertag.

    A person's profile in the Xbox app for Windows 10 with the Change Gamertag option highlighted
  5. You're redirected to Microsoft's website and must sign into your account to continue.

  6. Type your new Gamertag, then select Check Availability. If it's available, you're good to go. If not, you're prompted to enter a new selection.

    An Xbox user tries to change their gamertag. The Check Availability option is highlighted.
Was this page helpful?