Skip to main content
Microsoft
Xbox
Xbox
  • Home
    • Xbox One consoles
    • Xbox One X
    • Xbox One S
    • Shop consoles
    • Games home
    • Xbox One games
    • Xbox One X Enhanced games
    • Xbox Game Pass
    • Backward Compatible games
    • Xbox Play Anywhere games
    • Games with Gold
    • Deals with Gold
    • Sales & Specials
    • Xbox 360 games
    • Windows 10 games
    • EA Access
    • Redeem Code
    • Meet Xbox Live
    • Xbox Live Gold
    • Mixer
    • Xbox App
    • Shop accessories
    • Windows 10 Gaming
    • Xbox App on Windows 10
    • All support
    • Xbox One
    • Xbox 360
    • Xbox on Windows 10
    • Games
    • Billing
    • My Account
    • Xbox on other devices
    • Xbox Forums
    • Error & Status Code Search
    • Xbox Live Status
    • Mixer
      • Office
      • Windows
      • Surface
      • Xbox
      • Deals
      • Support
      • Windows apps
      • OneDrive
      • Outlook
      • Skype
      • OneNote
      • PCs & tablets
      • Accessories
      • Xbox games
      • PC games
      • Windows digital games
      • Movies & TV
      • Microsoft Azure
      • Microsoft Dynamics 365
      • Microsoft 365
      • Microsoft Industry
      • Data platform
      • Microsoft Advertising
      • .NET
      • Visual Studio
      • Windows Server
      • Windows Dev Center
      • Docs
      • Microsoft Store
      • Microsoft Rewards
      • Free downloads & security
      • Education
      • Gift cards
    • View Sitemap
    Sign in
    Share this page

    Xbox Support

    Xbox One
    Xbox & accessories Password & security Getting started 4k and HDR Apps Console Controllers Ease of Access Family Networking OneGuide and Live TV Social and Broadcast Microsoft Store Voice and digital assistants Warranty and service Xbox Insider
    Xbox 360
    Xbox on Windows 10
    Games
    Mixer
    Billing
    My account

    Real name sharing on Xbox One

    With the Share my real name option, you can let people on your friends list know your real name, and let them share your real name with their friends, making it easier to discover people you already know on Xbox Live.

    How to turn on the “Share my real name” option

    It’s easy to turn on the Share my real name option and select which friends you want to see your real name. Here’s how:

    1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
    The Xbox Guide is displayed on the Xbox One Home page.
    1. Select Settings.
    The Settings icon is selected on the Guide, and the Settings panel is displayed, offering access to All Settings, as well as options to turn the Kinect mic on or off and to turn off or restart the console.
    1. Select All Settings.
    The Settings panel is displayed over the Xbox Home screen, and the 'All Settings' icon is highlighted.
    1. Select Privacy & online safety.
    The 'Privacy & online safety' category is highlighted on the main Settings screen.
    1. Select View details & customize.
    The 'View details & customize' button is highlighted on the main 'Privacy & online safety screen'.
    1. Scroll right until you see Share my real name.
    The 'Customize privacy & online safety screen' is displayed, and the 'Share my real name,' area is visible, along with several others.
    1. Select the current setting to expand all options, and then select whom you want to share your real name with. By default, all accounts are set to Block.
    The 'Block' option is highlighted under 'Share my real name' on the 'Customize privacy & online safety' screen.
    1. You can also choose to share your real name with friends of friends. This would allow someone to find you even if they don’t know your gamertag.

    How to turn off the “Share my real name” option

    You can turn off the Share my real name option at any time by following the steps in the previous section and selecting Block in Step 7.

    The “Share my real name with friends of friends” option

    The Share my real name with friends of friends option lets you find friends you may not have realized were on Xbox Live. It also lets friends discover you through a mutual friend.

    To find friends through your friends:

    1. Press the Xbox button  to open the guide, and then select Friends & clubs.
    2. Select a friend’s gamertag, and then select View profile.
    3. Scroll to the right to view whom your friend is following.

    Frequently asked questions

    If I don’t share my real name with someone on my friends list but my friend does, can that person see my real name through friends of friends?

    No. Your real name will remain hidden from that person regardless of whether your friend is sharing real names with that person. Your preference is honored first.

    How do I tell if someone can see my real name?

    Here’s how:

    1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide, and then select Friends & clubs.
    2. Select that person’s gamertag.
    3. Select Relationship. Look for the Can they see my name? button under Report or block.

    This shows whether that person can see your real name and which friend is sharing your name. If you want to change the real name sharing permission for this person, you can do it here.

    Can I block someone from seeing my real name if they aren’t on my friends list?

    Yes. To block a specific person from seeing your real name, add that person to your block list by selecting block under Report or block on that person’s gamercard. See Mute or block other players on Xbox Live.

    Can other people see the real name of my child?

    No. Real name sharing is not available for young children. Teens can share real names, but only if an adult in the family enables this setting for their account.

    How do I edit how my real name appears?

    You can edit how your name appears at account.microsoft.com. Select Your info, select Edit name, and then update the name you want others to see.

    Related Issues

    How to add new Xbox friends
    How to view the activity of your friends on Xbox One
    Back to top

    Was this article helpful?

    Yes
    No

    Thank you for your feedback

    Thanks for your feedback!

    We're sorry this article didn't solve your problem. We won't give up and neither should you. Try this community option, below.
    Get help from the community
    Ambassador chat image
    Ambassador chat
    Chat one on one with a fellow Xbox User who wants to help.
    Chat with an Ambassador

    Provide feedback for this topic

    255 characters remain.
    To protect your privacy, please do not include contact information in your feedback.
    Get help from the community
    Ambassador chat image
    Ambassador chat
    Chat one on one with a fellow Xbox User who wants to help.
    Chat with an Ambassador

    Support resources

    Error & Status Code Search
    Repair and service centre
    Manuals and warranty info
    Post on the Community Support Forums
    Contact us

    Contact Us

    Would you like to contact Support regarding the "Real name sharing on Xbox One" issue you were reading about or a different issue?

    Share this page

    Xbox

    • Feedback
    • Support
    • Photosensitive Seizure Warning
    • Code of Conduct

    Fans

    • Xbox Wire
    • Jobs

    For Developers

    • Games
    • ID@Xbox
    • Windows 10
    English (New Zealand)
    • Contact Microsoft
    • Privacy & cookies
    • Terms of use
    • Trademarks
    • About our ads
    • © Microsoft 2019