• Account Management
• Xbox Live Features

Join Xbox Live

Xbox Live is a realm where gaming is king. Something is always going on: you can find people to play with and talk to 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You use a single, persistent identity—your gamertag—across all games, and you can download new stuff for your games any time you feel like it.

To create a child membership for Xbox Live, see Join Xbox Live: Child Membership.

To join Xbox Live:

1. Make sure your Xbox 360 console is connected to Xbox Live.
   
   For information about connecting to Xbox Live, see Connect to Xbox Live.
2. To simplify the process, collect the details of your Microsoft Passport Network account before you create your Xbox Live membership. You already have a Passport Network account if you have any of the following:
   • A Hotmail account.
   • An MSN account.
   • An Xbox.com account.
   
   
   If you don't have them yet, visit www.passport.net to set one up, or you can create one from the Xbox Dashboard during this sign-up procedure.
   
   A Passport Network account requires a valid e-mail account, which you cannot create during sign-up. To set up a free Hotmail account, visit MSN Hotmail.
3. Turn on your system with no disc in the tray. From the Xbox Live area of the Xbox Dashboard, select the Xbox Live banner. This will open the Xbox Live area of the Xbox Guide.
   
   
4. Select Join Xbox Live and follow the on-screen instructions.
   
   Here you will have the option to change your gamertag. You'll also supply information like the e-mail address and password associated with your Passport Network account, your country/region, your language, your name, and your phone number.

   Tip

   You can enter information using either a USB PC keyboard plugged into a controller port or your Xbox 360 controller and the on-screen virtual keyboard.

5. When prompted, select your desired membership type from the list of options.
   
   
   
   Xbox Live Gold memberships are paid memberships that require you to supply valid credit-card information. For more information about Xbox Live memberships, see www.xbox.com/live.
6. Follow the remaining steps: enter a contact address, choose an Xbox Live Gamer Zone, set your communication preferences for Xbox 360 promotions, and select a time zone and daylight-saving option.
   
   Then you'll be all set to dive headlong into exciting multiplayer Xbox Live play, multiplayer chat, Xbox Live Marketplace downloads, and other cool activities.