How to Send Games as Gifts Over Xbox Network

Give gifts to your Xbox Network friends

By
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen
Writer
  • Shoreline Community College
Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles .
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Updated on March 23, 2021
Reviewed by
Christine Baker
Reviewed by Christine Baker
Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design.
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What to Know

  • Go to the Microsoft Store on your console and find a game, select ​Buy as gift, choose the recipient, then proceed with the purchase.
  • If you want to send a game to someone you aren't friends with on Xbox Network, you'll need their email address.
  • As soon as your friend claims the gift, you lose the ability to request a refund on the purchase.

This article describes how to send games as gifts over Xbox Network on an Xbox One.

How to Give Games Over Xbox Network

To send a gift game to someone on your Xbox Network friends list:

  1. Navigate to the Store tab on your Xbox One console.

  2. Locate a game that you would like to give as a gift and open its store listing.

  3. Select the Buy as gift option, indicated by a gift icon.

    Buying a game as a gift on Xbox Live

  4. Select Choose from your list of Xbox friends.

  5. Select the Gamertag of the person you want to send the game to.

  6. Enter a preferred sender name and a message.

  7. Choose your payment method.

  8. Select Buy as a gift to complete the transaction.

As soon as your friend claims the gift, you lose the ability to request a refund on the purchase.

How to Gift Xbox Games to People You're Not Friends With

If you aren't friends with someone on Xbox Network, but you want to send them a game, you need to know their email address:

  1. Go to the Store tab on your Xbox One console.

  2. Locate a game that you would like to give as a gift and open its store listing.

  3. Select the Buy as gift option.

  4. Enter the email address of the person to whom you would like to send the gift.​ Make sure that you enter the correct address, as you can't verify it later.

  5. Choose your payment method.

  6. Select Buy as a gift to complete the transaction.

After you complete the transaction, a 25 digit code is sent to the email address you specified in step 4. After this code is redeemed, you can no longer request a refund.

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