Xbox profile customization: what you can change and how

Updated

An Xbox profile is the first thing other players see when they check you out in a party, a lobby, or an LFG post. Some parts of it you can edit in settings in a minute. Others, like your gamerscore or follower count, build up over time. This guide walks through each part of the profile and how to change it.

The parts of an Xbox profile

Every Xbox profile is made of the same building blocks. Knowing which is which makes it easier to decide what to work on first.

  • Gamertag: your public name, and the part people remember.
  • Gamerpic: your profile picture, either a stock image, an uploaded image, or a legacy picture.
  • Bio and location: short free-text fields.
  • Presence: the line that shows what you are doing or when you were last online.
  • Followers and friends: who follows you and who you follow back.
  • Gamerscore: the total points from every achievement you have unlocked.

What you can change yourself

Your gamerpic, bio, location, and colour can be edited from the profile settings on console, in the Xbox app, or on the web. Your gamertag can also be changed there: the first change is free, and later changes are paid.

The limitation is availability. Most short and clean gamertags were registered years ago, so the name you want is often taken.

What takes time to build

Gamerscore comes only from unlocking achievements, and followers come from other players choosing to follow you. On a new account both start at zero, which makes the profile look new even if you have played for years on another account.

This is where profile services come in: followers, friend requests, and gamerscore can be added to your existing account, and rare gamertags can be transferred to you.

Details most players miss

Classic Xbox 360-era gamerpics were removed from the picker years ago, so profiles that still show one stand out. Your presence line is also more visible than most people think: it appears on your profile card to anyone who views it.

Doing it all at once

If you want several of these changes, X6RR's Build Your Profile combines followers, friend requests, gamerscore, presence, a classic picture, and a rare gamertag into one order with one order number.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change my Xbox gamertag for free?
Your first gamertag change is free. After that, changes are paid through the Microsoft Store.
Why can I not select an Xbox 360 profile picture any more?
Microsoft removed the classic 360 gamerpics from the selection list. Profiles that already had one set kept it, which is why they are now rare.