How to Join Xbox Live

Last Updated: June 3, 2020

Xbox Live is an online service for the Xbox One and 360 consoles that allows you to play demos of Xbox games, rent movies, and download updates for the games you currently own. There are currently two versions of Xbox Live - Xbox Live Free and Xbox Live Gold, the latter of which allows for multiplayer gaming, Skype, and access to Internet Explorer on your television, among many other features.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Joining Xbox Live Free

1
Go to Microsoft Live at https://signup.live.com/. You will be required to sign up for a Microsoft account before you can sign up for Xbox Live.
- If you already have a Microsoft Live account, skip to step #5.
2
Enter your personal information into the fields provided. You will be asked to type in your name, a password, country, zip code, date of birth, and your telephone number.

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3
Click on “Create account.” Microsoft will send you an email so you can verify your new Microsoft Live account.
4
Open the verification email from Microsoft and click on the “Verify” button. Your Microsoft Live account will then be created.
5
Go to the Xbox Live Free signup page at https://www.xbox.com/en-US/live.
6
Click on “Join Now For Free.”
7
Enter your Microsoft Live email address into the field provided. The email address you enter can also be used with other Microsoft services, such as Windows 8, Windows Phones, and the Games for Windows marketplace.
8
Click on “Next.”
9
Review the Xbox Live Terms of Use and Privacy Statement, then click on “I Accept.” Your Xbox Live Free account will then be created.
10
Click on “OK.” You will then have the ability to sign into Xbox Live on your Xbox console and access the features of Xbox Live Free, including playing game demos, renting movies, downloading music, and more.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Joining Xbox Live Gold

1
Visit the Microsoft Live signup page at https://signup.live.com/. You will be required to register for a Microsoft account before you can sign up for Xbox Live Gold.
- If you already have a Microsoft Live account, skip to step #5.
2
Type your personal information into the fields provided. You will be asked to enter your name, create a password, and specify your country, zip code, date of birth, and telephone number.
3
Click on “Create account.” Microsoft Live will send you an email so you can verify your new account.
4
Open the verification email from Microsoft and click on the button labeled “Verify.” Your Microsoft Live account will then be created and ready for use.
5
Visit the Xbox Live Gold home page at http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live#fbid=bs62uP3Qk5e.
6
Click on “Join Xbox Live Gold.”
7
Select the Xbox Live Gold membership option of your choice. You can either sign up for the Xbox Live Gold 1-month free trial, pay for a 1-month membership for $9.99, or sign up for a 12-month membership for $59.99.
8
Click on “Next.”
9
Verify your Xbox Live Gold account using any method from the drop-down menu provided. You can either choose to have Microsoft send you a security code via text, telephone call, or email.
10
Click on “Next.”
11
Wait for Microsoft to send you the verification code. You should receive the code within a few minutes.
12
Enter the verification code into the field provided and click on “Submit.”
13
Click on “Add a credit card.”
14
Enter your personal information and credit card information into the fields provided.
15
Click on “Next.” After your credit card information has been processed, Microsoft will continue to automatically renew your account per the terms of your agreement until you decide to cancel your Xbox Live Gold Membership.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I share Xbox Live Gold with family?

Community Answer

You cannot share Xbox Live Gold Edition with your family. Unfortunately, you will have to purchase for individuals.