How to Set Up an Xbox Live Account

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: July 27, 2020 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to create an Xbox LIVE account, which you can use to track your Xbox achievements and play online.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using the Xbox LIVE Website

1
Go to the Xbox LIVE website. You can create a brand new Xbox LIVE account from here.
2
Click Sign in. This option is in the top-right corner of the page.

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3
Click the Create one link. It's below the "Password" field in the center of the page.
- If you have a Microsoft Account but not an Xbox Live account, you can sign in with your Microsoft Account and it will create an Xbox Live profile using your Microsoft Account information and take you directly to the User Agreement page.
4
Type in an email address. It must be an email address that hasn't been taken yet; if your selected email address already exists, you'll be prompted to try again.
5
Type in a password.
6
Click Next. It's at the bottom of the page. This will take you to a page with a code entry field.
7
Verify your email account. To do so, you'll open the email address you just entered and look for an email from Microsoft. Open the Microsoft email, find the seven-digit code in the email's body, and enter the code in the provided field on the Xbox LIVE website.
- If you're creating a brand new email address for Xbox LIVE, you won't have to verify your email address.
Tip: Check your email's Spam folder if you don't see the email from Microsoft within a few minutes of clicking Next.
8
Click Submit. Doing so will submit your code, which will verify your email address.
9
Enter your personal information. This will include the following information:
- Your first and last name
- Your date of birth
- Your current region
10
Click Next. It's below the "Region" field on this page.
11
Click I Accept. This button is at the bottom of the page; clicking it will create your Xbox LIVE account. You'll be able to use this profile to sign into Xbox LIVE on any Xbox 360 or Xbox One console.
- If you'd like to change anything about your profile (e.g., your profile picture or your username), click Customize profile below your Microsoft-assigned username.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using an Xbox One

1
Turn on your Xbox One. To do so, press the Xbox button on the right side of the console.

Tip: You can also hold down the Xbox button in the middle of a connected controller to turn on the Xbox One.
2
Open the sidebar. To do so, simply flick the left analog stick left while on the Home screen.
3
Select Sign in and press A. The "Sign in" option is in the top-left corner of the screen. Doing this will open the user menu.
4
Select Add new and press A. If the Xbox One you're using has another user registered, you'll scroll left to select Add new.
5
Press B. This will allow you to select an option other than the text field on this page.
6
Select Get a new account and tap A. It's on the bottom of the screen.
7
Type in your preferred email name. This email address must not have been taken already.
8
Press A. Doing so will save your Xbox LIVE email address.
9
Press ☰. This button is near the middle of your controller.
10
Enter your first name and press ☰. Doing so will save your first name.
11
Enter your last name and press ☰. This will apply your last name to your Xbox LIVE account.
12
Enter a password of your choice twice. You'll have to press ☰ after entering your password both times.
13
Enter your date of birth.
14
Select Next and press A. This option is in the top-right corner of the screen.
15
Enter your phone number and press ☰. Your phone number is necessary to secure your account if you ever lose your password.
16
Select I accept and press A. Doing so will finalize your account creation. You can now use your Xbox LIVE account on your Xbox One.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using an Xbox 360

1
Turn on your Xbox 360. Do so by pressing the "On" button on the right side of the console, or by pressing and holding the "X" button in the middle of a connected controller until the console turns on.
2
Scroll over to the "Social" tab. You'll press RB to do so.
3
Select Sign In or Out and press A. This option is at the bottom of the screen.
4
Scroll over to Create Profile and press A. It's on the far-right side of this menu.
5
Select a save location and press A. If you have external storage added to your Xbox 360, it will be listed here in addition to your console's internal storage.
6
Type in a username and press ►. This button is near the middle of your Xbox 360 controller.
7
Select an avatar and press A.
8
Select Save and Exit and press A. This option is on the far-right side of the screen.

Note: You can also customize your avatar here if you wish to do so.
9
Press the Xbox button. It's the "X" in the middle of your controller.
10
Select Join Xbox Live and press A. You'll see this option near the bottom of the list of options in the menu here.
11
Press A. Doing so will take you to the "Welcome to Xbox Live" page.
12
Press A again. This is where you'll begin setting up your Xbox LIVE account.
13
Enter your first and last name and press ►. This will save your name to your Xbox LIVE account.
14
Enter an email address and press ►. Your email address must end in @outlook.com to qualify as an Xbox LIVE ID.
15
Enter a password of your choice twice. You'll have to press ► after entering your password both times.
16
Select a secret question and press A. You'll be able to enter the answer to your secret question to verify your identity if you're ever locked out of your account.
17
Type in an answer to your secret question. When you're done, you'll press the ► button on your controller.
18
Enter your date of birth.
19
Select Done and press A. Doing so will save all of the information you've entered so far. You'll be prompted to review your account details before finalizing your account creation.
20
Press A. Your Xbox LIVE account has now been set up. If you ever migrate to an Xbox One, you'll be able to use your Xbox LIVE ID that you created here to sign in.

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Community Q&A

Question

Do I need an Xbox to get an account?

Community Answer

No, you can set up an Xbox Live account through Microsoft's site via computer.
Question

When I try to set up my account, I get a message saying that I have another profile. What does this mean?

Community Answer

It probably means that your email address is registered with another account.
Question

Do I need a Microsoft account to set up an Xbox Live account?

Community Answer

Yes.

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About This Article

Written by:

wikiHow Technology Writer

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 377,668 times.

17 votes - 64%

Co-authors: 15

Updated: July 27, 2020

Views: 377,668

Categories: Xbox Live

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