Creating your Xbox Live account is easy. As long as you have your Xbox console connected to high-speed Internet service, you're ready to rock and roll.
Just insert your Xbox Live enabled game disc into the Xbox disc drive and follow the instructions on the screen. This disc may be a full game included with your Starter Kit, an XboxLive Starter Kit demo disc, or an Xbox Live game sold separately that includes a two-month free trial.
If you have a 12-month subscription card, simply enter the card’s subscription code during Xbox Live sign-up.
Following are some hints, suggestions, and advice to help you set up your account.
Gamertag
Choosing your Gamertag is one of the most monumental things you'll ever do. It's more important than choosing a college, a spouse, a home. Well, not everyone will feel this is true, but we just want you to know it is a big deal. Mainly because it's your very gamer identity we're dealing with! And also because once you've chosen it, you're stuck with it. Forever. If you call Customer Support and say, "Y'know my Gamertag is Spleenmuncher, but I read this book by the Dalai Lama last week and I'm thinking I want a kinder, gentler sort of name…" you're not going to get anywhere. So choose a Gamertag that will last through your many moods and quirks over the years. Because if you want a new Gamertag, you'll have to buy another Starter Kit or subscription card.
Subscription Code
A 12-month subscription codeis included with all Starter Kits, as a card or as a sticker on the Starter Kit disc sleeve. Trial codes (for two-month trial subscriptions) are available with certain Xbox Live enabled games also. The subscription code sticker is covered by silver scratch-off stuff. Scratch this stuff off only when you intend to enter the subscription code during Xbox Live signup. If you scratch off the code cover, you can no longer return your kit for a refund.
When you enter your subscription code into the Xbox Dashboard during signup, you do not need to enter dashes—just the numbers. But if the dashes help you keep track, go ahead and use 'em.
Name
If you have a hyphenated name, please don't enter the hyphen. Just leave a space. Even if your name on your credit card has a hyphen, don't use it in the Xbox Dashboard. Same goes for apostrophes, as in O'Grady, O'Neill, O'Gill, and so forth. Enter only the letters in your name—no symbols.
Address
The address you enter will need to match the billing address for your credit card.
Credit Card
You will need a standard Visa, MasterCard, or a debit card branded with a Visa or MasterCard logo. Yes, you already paid for the first 12 months of service when you bought your Starter Kit, but your account must be linked to a valid credit card. Your card will not be charged for any additional charges without your explicit consent for the duration of the 12 months of service.
Note If your credit card or debit card expires, you'll need to modify your billing information for your account. For more information about your billing profile, see Modifying Your Billing Information.
Debit Card
If you want to use a debit card, a few restrictions apply:
- Your debit card must have either a Visa or MasterCard logo.
- Your debit card must not have restrictions on subscription-based or Internet purchases.
- You must have more than 99 cents available in your debit card account.
- The expiration date on your debit card cannot be the same month and year as the date you set up your account.
If you do not know if your debit card has restrictions on subscription-based or Internet purchases, contact the financial institution that issued the card for more information.
Opting In or Out of Information Sharing
You have the opportunity to opt in or opt out of getting more information from Microsoft and third-party publishers. This is a super-important decision, because if you opt in, you’ll receive regular communications from Xbox Live about new games, new content downloads, tournaments, contests, events, sweepstakes, and more. One of the best parts of Xbox Live is all the great things we provide for members to make the service more and more fun, but you have to opt in to receive them. Also, be sure to give us an accurate e-mail address to get all of this extra info.
Managing Your Account
Once you’ve created your account, you can sign in at any time and set up additional controls for Xbox Live access:
- Set a secret pass code for sign-in.
- Modify your billing profile, including updating your credit card information.
- Renew your subscription to Xbox Live.
- Set parental controls for games, voice chat, and content download.
For more information, see Account Management.
