Xbox.com | Xbox LIVE 101 - Getting Started on Xbox LIVE

Getting Started on Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE® is your ticket to great downloads and gameplay on your Xbox 360® console. Getting started is easy. It's just three simple steps.

Step 1: Decide what membership level you want
Choose from two types of Xbox LIVE memberships: Silver and Gold.

A free Silver membership lets you sign in to Xbox LIVE, download stuff like movies, TV shows, videos, games, game add-ons, themes, and gamer pictures from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, build friends lists, and send text and voice messages.
For a fee, a Gold membership adds online multiplayer gameplay, matchmaking, exclusive offers, and more community options.

For more info about membership levels, see Membership Levels - Gold and Silver.

Step 2: Connect your console to the Internet
To connect to Xbox LIVE, you need an Internet connection and a way to connect your console to that connection. You can plug right into your cable modem, to a router, or through your computer. For info about connecting your console, see Introduction to Xbox LIVE Connection Methods.

Step 3: Sign up!
And now the fun part: actually getting on Xbox LIVE. There are several ways to sign up.

Sign up on your console. Get right to it on your console by selecting Join Xbox LIVE on the Xbox Dashboard. During signup, you can either buy a Gold membership or stick with Silver. If you choose a Silver membership, you'll automatically start with a one-month free Gold membership. At the end of the month, you'll revert back to Silver.
Use a prepaid card. Buy an Xbox LIVE Gold subscription card from a local retail store. Then, on your console, select Join Xbox LIVE, sign up, and use your card to set up your Gold membership. If you already have an Xbox LIVE account, apply the prepaid card to your account in account management.
Use a trial membership card or code. Some Xbox 360 games and accessories include a card or code that gives you a free trial Gold membership. Like the prepaid card, during signup, use the card or code to go Gold. A trial code cannot be applied to an existing account.
Sign up on Xbox.com. If you prefer to sign up on your computer, go to the Xbox.com Sign In page, click Register Now, and fill in the details for your account. When you're ready to sign in on your Xbox 360 console, select Recover Xbox LIVE Gamertag and you're good to go.

Note: If you sign up for a Silver membership on Xbox.com, it stays Silver when you recover it to your console and is not eligible for a free Gold membership trial. You can, however, buy an upgrade to Gold on Xbox LIVE or apply a prepaid Gold membership card.
Migrate your original Xbox LIVE account. If you have a current Xbox LIVE membership on an original Xbox console, you can use it on your Xbox 360 console. On your Xbox 360 console, select Recover Xbox LIVE Gamertag. After you migrate, you can use your Gamertag on both your Xbox 360 and original Xbox consoles.

For more info about signing up for Xbox LIVE, see Join Xbox LIVE.

Getting Started on Xbox LIVE

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