How do I change the Microsoft account linked with my Xbox account?

Joshua O'Sullivan · Apr 10, 2023

I've been playing on both console and PC for most of my life and the only thing stopping me from buying an Xbox Series X is that the account that I've invested much of my time on is linked to my mother's Microsoft account. I was a kid when my account was set up for the Xbox 360, and I know Microsoft accounts and Xbox accounts are one in the same, but I desperately need to make it so the account signs in with my email address. I know it's probably more hassle than it's worth, but asking my mother for her credentials in my 20's is a price I'm not willing to pay to stay on the platform. I'm not interested in making a new Xbox account and losing my achievement and gamerscore.

:)

Mister Getafix

Hi there.

Creating a fresh account would create a new email address for the new account so you would not lose the older account.

Keep in mind there is no way to transfer the old email to the new account though.

Hope that helps clarify the options!

Rostom L

Well, that depends on what services from Microsoft does your mother use. If she used her Microsoft account for example on her office works connected to Microsoft Office applications then switching emails won't work because those services are linked to the account itself and not only by a primary email address. The email addresses or aliases of our accounts are just used for signing in purposes - it's not the account itself technically. Also, if she used a Microsoft email address like @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, etc. it cannot be transferred to a different Microsoft account.

Joshua O'Sullivan

Would there be any consequence in taking my mother's Microsoft account, and replacing the primary email address with my one? Swapping our Microsoft accounts could work but I don't want to cause any future problems for her.

Rostom L

Hi Joshua!

I am sorry to know about the situation. Unfortunately, it's not possible to transfer your account data or Xbox profile to a different account. It will always stay on that particular account. I am afraid we can no longer do anything about that aside from using your mother's own account. It is because a Microsoft account is a single credential to access any Microsoft products and services including Xbox.

WPAK

Web translation:

Account

How do I change the account linked to my gamertag

Response:

Hi there,

the thing you can change is the primary email address connected to the Microsoft Account, which results in you needing a different email address to sign in to your Microsoft Account and thus also the Xbox Live Account.

See this link for the steps on how to change the primary email address on the account:

https://support.xbox.com/my-account/microsoft-account/change-email-sign-in-for-microsoft-account

If you seek something else then please let it know so we can try and specify the steps you need (if available)

How do I change the Microsoft account linked with my Xbox account?