How can Microsoft charge to change gamertag after an auto name was given to me?

FranciscoA1992 · Nov 20, 2023

Hello.

I am new to Xbox world bought an Xbox Series X one week ago.

While setting up my Xbox account online I had a default username , so I wanted to have the same as the one I have on my PlayStation so I inserted "crazy*****", which I have since PS3 and all my PS friends known me for. However, Microsoft added automatically a random number after staying "crazy*****4121" which I thought was mandatory, because it automatically added that number and I could hide.

Later I found out that hiding the suffix as suggested, my PlayStation friends (that I only play with) and other online players, wouldn't see the suffix that Microsoft has added automatically to my name.

After that I realised that I wanted "92" staying "crazy*****92" (instead that ridiculous random no. "4121"), which was unique this time, but now its asking to pay 10 EUR? Surreal...

I really can't understand why Microsoft just doesn't notifies the person that this name is already taken and to choose right after another, instead adding automatically a nonsense 4 digits. This situation doesn’t happen on PlayStation where they just notify that name is already taken and needs to be another one (obviously they give some suggestions).

All this process misleads the customer to be honest. I can't comprehend that Microsoft procedure.

I payed 500 EUR for Xbox and now need to pay +10 EUR to change for a more recognisable gamertag? Fortunately I didn't open the Xbox box yet since I was expecting for better Black Friday deals, but this situation makes me feel cheated by Microsoft. I am already thinking to return the console to the store and get a PS5, which is currently with better deals in my country.

Sadly, not the right way to enter on the Xbox ecosystem.

Curiously, now when adding this topic, I had to choose my profile name that will be shown on the community so I have put my name "Francisco" but there was a red notification informing "The display name is taken. Available names: Francisco_770 and FranciscoQY." (as you can see in the picture", and didn't make auto change like on gamertag. This is what should happen while I was changing my Gamertag!

:)

Smwutches

The system does tell you that information when you change it.

FranciscoA1992

Yes, but the point here is that Microsoft shouldn’t never substitute automatically to an alternative name right after you try to get that gamertag you want.

They should obligate the change until the person finds the name… everybody knows that adding random numbers after the gamertag, raises exponentially the chance to get their name, so this should be up to people.

All platforms usually recommend alternative names whenever those are already taken. Even they do that in that case I showed when I was trying to submit this topic.

For a new gamer in the ecosystem, this situation can mislead us.

Thanks for the response!

Eden0032

Hi there Wendy,

To confirm the answer that others have given you:

You can change your Gamertag once for free (this is when you change it from the automatic Gamertag to your first Gamertag name).
Any further changes will be charged at approximately £10/$10 depending on your region. This can be done from your Xbox Profile on the console or the xbox.com website.
There has always been a charge for Gamertag changes. The only reason Gamertag changes might happen without a charge is when the name violates the Xbox Live Terms of Use and Code of Conduct when a forced change is given.

I hope this information is helpful.

-

EvilWoman1979

I am new here, and was given a random gamertag, so that I may activate my account that I hadn't used since Feb. 2008. I didn't know I had a MS account, and don't recall why I got one in the first place. Anyway, the default gamertag given to me was silly,
so I changed it to my YT name after reading on this site that you can change it ONCE, for FREE. After that, they will charge you 800 points. They should reimburse me the 800 points. I don't expect to have to change my new gamertag. Besides, don't they want
me to purchase more games? How long does the process take?

FlatColt8593512

My gamertag was changed on me one day saying it was offensive. I get on Microsoft to change my gamer id and they trying to charge me 10$. HOW is Thothead offensive?? If Microsoft changes my gamertag to something gay, I should be able to get a free name change
but NOOOO I contact support and get nothing after 20 mins of chatting live. I am soooo freakin *** at Microsoft for infringing on my religious beliefs by changing my gamer id to begin with..... Would it have been offensive if Jesus was in my gamertag??

How can Microsoft charge to change gamertag after an auto name was given to me?