It’s quite straightforward to change your gamertag, if you’re no longer keen on your Xbox name. Here’s how.
Key Takeaways
- The first Xbox gamertag change is free, subsequent changes cost $10.
- Changing your gamertag is easy on Xbox system or through the web.
- Filters prevent profanity and hate speech in gamertags; be careful with changes.
A bit like an email address that you set up in your teenage years and now need to update to a more professional or mature option, plenty of us have a gaming handle that might undermine our credibility a little. While not nearly as vital as changing your email address, being able to clean up your alias on console or PC can help save you some embarrassment when jumping into an online lobby.
Changing it can be a bit of a chore depending on your platform, but here we're talking about Xbox. This is a simple process, and you can do it a couple of ways, but there may be a caveat or two you should keep in mind.
Can you change your Xbox gamertag for free?
Will it cost you to change your name?
This is a slightly complicated question because there are basically two answers.
If you've never changed your gamertag before, then we've got good news — the first time you want to change your gamertag you can do it completely for free. However, if you've already changed it before, whether once or many times, a charge of $10 will apply.
Your first name change is free, but any additional changes will cost you $10.
This means that everyone gets one free do-over, but it's worth thinking quite carefully before you commit to it, as every subsequent rewrite will cost you actual money, even if it's not a huge amount. Unsurprisingly, there are also filters in place to stop you including profanity or hate speech in your gamertag, although we're very much hoping that you weren't intending to use any in the first place, so this shouldn't affect most people.
How to change your Xbox gamertag on a console
Change it on your system
If you're on your Xbox Series X, Series S, or Xbox One, and you'd like to make the change to your gamertag right there on your console, here's how to change it.
- Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the smart guide, and go to Profile & System
- Select the profile you want to change
- Got to My Profile and then to Customize Profile
- Go to Choose your new gamertag and enter your new choice, then hit Check availability
- If your choice is available, you'll be shown how it will be displayed
- Hit Change gamertag if you're happy to complete the process
How to change Xbox gamertag on the web
Change it from your computer
You can also change your gamertag through the web, in case that's easier, in any browser and on any device — by following the steps below.
- Head to the Change gamertag page on the Xbox website
- Sign in to the relevant Microsoft account
- Check that the gamertag you want to change is the one displayed at the top right of the page
- Type in your new gamertag and click or tap on Check availability
- When you have a new gamertag, you'll be shown how it'll be displayed
- Hit Claim it to complete the process and change your gamertag
