Sign in to Xbox
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Although there are several methods you can use and platforms where you can sign in to Xbox, the overall process is the same.
Note If you have an Xbox profile on another device and want to keep your profile history (gamertag, gamerscore, achievements, and so on), make sure you sign in using the same profile.
Create a new Xbox profile
If you don’t already have an Xbox profile, we can help you create one using an existing email address (or if you prefer, you can create a new email address specifically for signing in to Xbox):
To create a new Xbox account for a child, or to add new members to a family group, see:
Sign in on an Xbox console
- If no one is signed in on the console, select Add new, and then follow the on-screen instructions to enter the sign-in info for your account.
- If someone is already signed in on the console, press the Xbox button to open the guide, go to Profile & system > Add or switch > Add new. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the sign-in info for your account.
If you aren’t sure which email address is the right one to use for signing in, or if you can’t remember your password, see these resources for help:
To learn more about adding and removing accounts on your console, see:
Note If you prefer to sign in using the keyboard on a Windows or mobile device rather than your controller, select the Use another device option on the console Sign in screen. The console will display a URL and a code to use. Open the URL on your phone or PC, and then enter the code. This allows you to sign in to your console remotely.
Sign in on a Windows device
Different kinds of “sign in” on Windows devices
How you’re signed in can affect availability and permissions for some games:
Signing in to the Windows device: On shared Windows devices with more than one user profile, the visibility of games and apps can change depending on which profile is selected. Check that you’re signed in to the device under the same user profile that was used when the game or app was installed.
Signing in to the Xbox app: When you open the Xbox app on your device, be sure you sign in to the app using your own Xbox account. This will sync up your personal gaming profile info, including your stats, settings, and achievements. (For more info on how to sign in to the Xbox app, see the section “Signing in to the Xbox app for Windows” below.)
Signing in to the Microsoft Store: In some cases, you may also need to be signed in to the Store (xbox.com) in order to play a purchased game. To make sure your permissions for the game can be validated, be sure to sign in to the Store using the same account that was used to purchase the game.
Signing in to the Xbox app for Windows
If you’re signed in to Windows with a Microsoft account
If you have an Xbox profile associated with your Microsoft account
When you sign in, the Xbox app uses the Microsoft account credentials you used to sign in to Windows and check to see if there's an Xbox gamertag associated with this account. To sign in:
- Open the Xbox app.
- Select Profile & settings in the upper-right corner, and then select Sign in.
- Windows will automatically find your account info.
If there's an Xbox profile associated with your Microsoft account, you'll see your gamertag and gamerpic on the screen. If you don’t recognize the Xbox profile shown, select Switch accounts and then enter a different Microsoft account.
If you aren’t sure which email address is the right one to use for signing in, or if you can’t remember your password, see these resources for help:
If you don’t have an Xbox profile associated with your Microsoft account
When you sign in to the Xbox app using a Microsoft account that doesn’t have an Xbox profile associated with it, the app will auto-generate a new Xbox gamertag for you. When you accept this gamertag, a new Xbox profile will be created and linked to your Microsoft account.
To sign in:
- Open the Xbox app.
- Select Profile & settings in the upper-right corner, and then select Sign in.
You can change your gamertag for free within the first 30 days. After that, there’s a small fee. For info on how to change your gamertag, see:
If you’re signed in to Windows with a local account
What is a “local account”?
A local account is a set of credentials other than a Microsoft account. These might be older sign-in credentials that carried over from an earlier version of Windows.
If you’re signed in to Windows with a local account, when you launch the Xbox app, you'll be prompted to create or sign in with a Microsoft account. This first Microsoft account you use to sign in becomes the default account for your device.
Scenario 1: You already have a Microsoft account, but you don’t have an Xbox profile yet
- On the Choose an account screen, click the Microsoft account button.
- On the Add your Microsoft account screen, enter the email address and password associated with your Microsoft account.
- On the Make it yours screen, you'll have the option to make this Microsoft account your primary account. (This makes sign-in, settings, and syncing happen automatically for all other Microsoft services.) Complete this step by entering your password again and selecting Next.
- Because no Xbox profile is associated with this Microsoft account, the system will auto-generate a new gamertag for you. You can change your gamertag for free within the first 30 days.
If you need help finding the email address or password for your Microsoft account, or changing your Xbox gamertag, see these resources:
Scenario 2: You have a Microsoft account that’s associated with an existing Xbox profile
- On the Choose an account screen, click the Microsoft account button.
- On the Add your Microsoft account screen, enter the email address and password associated with the Microsoft account you use to sign in to your Xbox profile.
- On the Make it yours screen, you'll have the option to make this Microsoft account your primary account. (This makes sign-in, settings, and syncing happen automatically for all other Microsoft services.)
- If you want to use this same Microsoft account for all Microsoft services, enter your password again and select Next to make it your primary account.
- If you have another Microsoft account that you prefer to use for other Microsoft services, select I'll connect my Microsoft account later so that this Microsoft account doesn't become your primary account.
If you need help finding the email address or password for your Microsoft account, see these resources:
Scenario 3: You don’t have a Microsoft account
- On the Choose an account screen, click the Microsoft account button.
- On the Add your Microsoft account screen, skip over the Microsoft account sign-in boxes and instead select Create one. Fill in the fields to create your new Microsoft account.
- On the Make it yours screen, you'll have the option to make this Microsoft account your primary account. (This makes sign-in, settings, and syncing happen automatically for all other Microsoft services.) Complete this step by entering your password again and selecting Next.
- Because no Xbox profile is associated with this Microsoft account, the system will auto-generate a new gamertag for you. You can change your gamertag for free within the first 30 days.
If you need help changing your Xbox gamertag, see:
Signing in to Game Bar
To access all features of Game Bar, sign in by pressing the Windows logo key + G, and then going to Settings > Account.
Frequently asked questions about signing in on Windows devices
How do I sign in with a different gamertag?
You can sign out of the Xbox app or a game at any time and sign back in with a different gamertag. Each Xbox profile you sign in to is stored in the account picker for quicker sign-in in the future.
To sign out, go to Profile & settings in the Xbox app and select Sign out.
To sign back in, select Sign in when you open the app. You can select a previously entered account, or select Microsoft account to sign in with a new profile.
How do I play a game using a different account from the one used to purchase the game?
From inside the game, choose Switch account (on the home screen or wherever the profile is located). If the game doesn't have a Switch account button, select Profile & settings in the Xbox app and then select Sign out. Then sign back in with the profile you want to use and restart the game.
Note that you may need to be signed in to the Microsoft Store (xbox.com) with the account used to purchase the game in order to validate your permissions for the game.
I get an error message saying, “You are already signed in to this game on another device.” What does that mean?
Some games can only be played on one device at a time under the same Xbox profile. On the error screen, you'll have the option to sign your profile out on the other device in order to play on the current device. Or, you can choose to switch to a different Xbox profile.
Note You can be signed in to the Xbox app on as many devices as you like, but with cloud-saved games, you can only be signed in on one device at a time. This is to avoid conflicts when saving game progress and achievements.
Sign in on a mobile device
For all Xbox mobile apps, you need to sign in with the Microsoft account that you use on your console to access the app features.
If you aren’t sure which email address is the right one to use for signing in, or if you can’t remember your password, see these resources for help:
Xbox mobile app: When you open the app, a sign-in button appears, prompting you to sign in with your Microsoft account.
Xbox Family Settings app: You may see two Next prompts when you open the app, and then a sign-in button appears, prompting you to sign in with your Microsoft account.
Xbox Game Pass app: You can follow the prompt to sign in when you open the app, or you can browse game titles without signing in. However, once you choose to install a game, you’ll be prompted to sign in before you can install.
Sign in on a smart TV
When you first launch the Xbox app on a compatible smart TV, you’ll be provided with a QR code and URL to follow to complete sign in on another device. If you have an existing Xbox profile, make sure you sign in using that same account. If you don’t have an Xbox profile, you’ll be prompted to create one.
For more info on getting set up for cloud gaming on a smart TV, see:
If you aren’t sure which email address is the right one to use for signing in, or if you can’t remember your password, see these resources for help:
Sign in on a handheld gaming device
The first time you launch Xbox cloud gaming on a handheld gaming device, you’ll be prompted to sign in using your Microsoft account. If you don’t have an Xbox profile, you’ll be prompted to create one.
For more info on getting set up for cloud gaming on a smart TV, see:
If you aren’t sure which email address is the right one to use for signing in, or if you can’t remember your password, see these resources for help:
Having trouble signing in?
Check the Xbox service status
If the Xbox service is unavailable, you won’t be able to sign in until the service is restored. Check for service alerts on the Xbox status page, and if you find any alerts, you can ask to receive a message when the service is up and running again:
Reset or recover your sign-in info
If you can’t remember the email address or password you use to sign in to Xbox, use these resources for help:
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