Change your password directly from your Xbox console or the Microsoft website

You can change your Xbox password in two ways: through your Xbox console itself, or through your Microsoft account online. The console method is faster if you are already signed in. The website method works if you do not have your console handy or if you think someone else knows your current password. Both methods change the same password — the one tied to your Microsoft account, which is what Xbox uses to identify you.

Your Xbox password is separate from your console PIN. The PIN is a four-digit code that prevents anyone with physical access to your console from signing in as you. Changing your password does not change your PIN, and changing your PIN does not change your password.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password on your Xbox console by going to Settings, then Account, then Security, then Change Password.
  • You can also change your password at account.microsoft.com by signing in, selecting Security, and choosing Password.
  • Your Xbox password is the same as your Microsoft account password — changing one changes the other everywhere.
  • If you forget your password, you will need to use the account recovery process on the Microsoft website, not the Xbox console.
  • After you change your password, you will be signed out of your console and will need to sign back in with the new password.

Changing your password on the Xbox console

Start from the home screen and press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Scroll right to find your profile icon and select it. Choose Settings from the menu that appears.

In Settings, scroll down and select Account. Then select Security, and you will see the option Change Password. Select it and follow the prompts. You will need to enter your current password first to confirm your identity, then type your new password twice to make sure there are no typos.

After you submit the new password, you will be signed out of your console. The next time you try to use your account, you will be asked to sign in again with your new password. This is normal and expected.

Changing your password on the Microsoft website

Go to account.microsoft.com in any web browser and sign in with your current email and password. Once you are signed in, look for the Security section — it is usually on the left side of the page or under a menu labeled Account or Settings.

Select Security, then find the option that says Password or Change Password. Click it and enter your current password to verify you are the account owner. Then type your new password twice and select Next or Confirm.

You will see a confirmation message. After that, any Xbox console or device signed into your account will ask you to sign in again the next time you try to use it. This is a security feature to make sure only you have access.

What to do if you forget your current password

You cannot change your password from the Xbox console if you do not remember the current one. Instead, go to account.microsoft.com and select the option to sign in. Look for a link that says "Can't access your account" or "Forgot my password."

Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity. You can do this by entering a recovery email address, a phone number linked to the account, or by answering security questions you set up earlier. Once you verify who you are, you can create a new password without needing the old one.

This process can take a few minutes. After you reset your password, sign back into your Xbox console with the new password.

The difference between your password and your console PIN

Your password is what you use to sign into your Microsoft account from any device — your Xbox, a computer, a phone, or anywhere else. Your console PIN is a four-digit code that only works on that specific Xbox console. It prevents someone who has physical access to your console from signing in as you without knowing the PIN.

If you change your password, your PIN stays the same. If you change your PIN, your password stays the same. They are two separate security layers. You can change your PIN in the same Settings menu where you change your password — look for Security and then PIN instead of Password.

What happens after you change your password

You will be signed out of your Xbox console when ready. The next time you try to use your account on that console, you will see a sign-in screen asking for your email and password. Enter your new password and you will be back in.

If you have multiple consoles signed into the same account, you will need to sign in again on each one. If other people have their own accounts on your console, their accounts are not affected — only your account will be signed out.

If you are signed into Xbox on a phone, tablet, or computer, you may also be signed out of those devices. Check those apps and sign back in if needed.

Why you might want to change your password

Change your password if you think someone else knows it, if you have used the same password on multiple websites and one of those websites had a data breach, or if you have not changed it in a long time. You should also change it if you shared your console with someone who no longer lives with you or if you sold or gave away a console.

If you suspect someone has been using your account without permission, change your password right away and then check your account activity on the Microsoft website. Look at the Security section to see what devices have signed in recently and remove any you do not recognize.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password on each Xbox console I own?

No. Your password is tied to your Microsoft account, not to individual consoles. Changing it once changes it everywhere. However, you will need to sign back in on each console with the new password.

What if I change my password and forget the new one right away?

Use the password reset process on account.microsoft.com. You will verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number, and then you can create another new password. You do not need to remember the old one to do this.

Can someone else change my password if they have my console?

Not if you have a console PIN set up. They would need to know your PIN to access Settings and change the password. If you do not have a PIN, set one up in the Security menu right away.

Will changing my password sign me out of Game Pass or my other subscriptions?

No. Your subscriptions stay active. You will just need to sign back in with your new password the next time you use your console or the Xbox app.

How often should I change my Xbox password?

There is no set rule. Change it if you think it has been compromised, if you have used it elsewhere and that site had a breach, or if you have not changed it in over a year. Otherwise, you only need to change it when circumstances suggest you should.