Skip to main content
Microsoft
Xbox
Xbox
  • Home
    • Xbox One consoles
    • Xbox One X
    • Xbox One S
    • Xbox for families
    • Shop consoles
    • Deals
    • 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
    • Xbox Community
    • Xbox Live
    • Xbox Live Gold
    • Esports
    • Mixer
    • Xbox App
    • Shop accessories
    • Design your controller
    • Shop Xbox Official Gear
    • Xbox
    • Gears of War
    • Minecraft
    • Halo
    • PUBG
    • Sea of Thieves
    • Forza
    • More Gear
    • Windows 10 Gaming
    • Xbox App on Windows 10
  • Where to Buy
    • All support
    • Xbox One
    • Xbox 360
    • Xbox on Windows 10
    • Games
    • Billing
    • My Account
    • Mixer
    • Xbox Forums
    • Error & Status Code Search
    • Xbox Live Status
    • Home
    • Profile
    • Achievements
    • Friends
    • Messages
    • My games
    • Clubs
    • Trending on Xbox Live
      • Office
      • Windows
      • Surface
      • Xbox
      • Deals
      • Support
      • Windows apps
      • OneDrive
      • Outlook
      • Skype
      • OneNote
      • PCs & tablets
      • Accessories
      • Xbox games
      • PC games
      • Windows digital games
      • Movies & TV
      • Books
      • Microsoft Azure
      • Microsoft Dynamics 365
      • Microsoft 365
      • Enterprise
      • Data platform
      • Microsoft Advertising
      • .NET
      • Visual Studio
      • Windows Server
      • Windows Dev Center
      • Docs
      • Microsoft Store
      • Microsoft Rewards
      • Free downloads & security
      • Education
      • Store locations
      • Gift cards
    • View Sitemap
    0 Cart
    Sign in

    Services: Purchase and Content Usage

    Games: Xbox One: Fortnite

    See details

    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

    What is Xbox Live and how do I get started?

    When you sign in to your Microsoft account on your Xbox One console, you’re automatically connected to Xbox Live at the basic level. If you don’t already have a Microsoft account, you can create one for free.

    Note If you’re just getting started with your new Xbox One console, use the Xbox One System Set Up Solution.

    Learn about Xbox Live

    Topics

    anchor
    What is Xbox Live?
    anchor
    How do I connect my Xbox One console to Xbox Live?
    anchor
    How do I redeem my code?
    anchor
    How can I take advantage of Gold sharing on my home Xbox?
    anchor
    Do I need a console to use an Xbox Live Subscription?

    What is Xbox Live?

    Xbox Live is the online service for Xbox One. Xbox Live is your ticket to the most exciting social entertainment network in the world.

    With an Xbox Live free account, you can experience the hottest games, HD movies and TV shows, live events, music, and sports, along with premier entertainment apps, Microsoft Edge, and Skype on your TV.

    With an Xbox Live Gold account membership, you'll have access to Games with Gold and free games for both the Xbox One and Xbox 360. Plus, we've introduced Deals with Gold for Xbox One, which gives members exclusive discounts on games in Microsoft Store. With all this and the most advanced multiplayer gaming, Xbox Live Gold is better than ever. And your Xbox Live Gold membership extends across Xbox 360 and Xbox One. So if you're already an Xbox Live Gold member, you're good to go.

    Here's a sampling of what you can do on Xbox Live:

    • Enjoy unlimited online multiplayer gaming with friends wherever they are
    • Download and play free game demos and full Xbox One games*
    • Enjoy exclusive member deals and previews
    • Catch up on movies and TV shows through Movies & TV and a great lineup of partner services
    • Watch sports with ESPN, NFL, and other sports apps, which will be continually added to Xbox One
    • Listen to personalized music with Groove** and iHeartRadio
    • Use your phone or tablet as a second screen for an enhanced game and entertainment experience
    • Access your cloud game saves wherever you are*
    • Use your voice to easily find games, music, movies, and TV shows with Kinect

    *This feature requires an Xbox Live Gold membership. Visit Xbox Live Gold to join today.
    **This feature requires a Groove Music Pass subscription. Visit Microsoft Groove to join today.

    How do I connect my Xbox One console to Xbox Live?

    You can connect your console to Xbox Live with a wired or wireless connection.

    • Wired connection

      A wired network connection is the fastest and most reliable way to connect to Xbox Live. For a wired connection, you use a network cable to connect your Xbox One console to a router or modem. Here's what you need:

      • A router, gateway, or modem
      • A network cable
      • A high-speed Internet connection, such as cable or DSL
    • Wireless connection

      A wireless network connection lets you connect your Xbox One console to Xbox Live without using network cables. This allows you the freedom to move your console further away from your network hardware (the router, gateway, or modem). Your Xbox One console can use your existing wireless network. Here's what you need:

      • A high-speed Internet connection, such as cable or DSL

        Note Satellite and 3G or 4G mobile connections are not recommended because you are likely to experience slow performance or lag.

      • A router, gateway, or wireless access point

    For more information about how to connect your Xbox One console to Xbox Live with either a wired or wireless connection, follow the steps in the Xbox One First-Time Connection Solution.

    How do I redeem my code?

    If you have a prepaid code for an Xbox Live Gold free trial membership, learn how to redeem it by going to How to redeem an Xbox prepaid code.

    If you don’t have a trial membership but would like one, see How to get an Xbox Live Gold trial membership.

    How can I take advantage of Gold sharing on my home Xbox?

    Xbox Live Gold members can take advantage of Gold sharing on their home Xbox. The first time you sign in on an Xbox One and save your password, that console becomes your home Xbox. The My home Xbox feature allows you to do the following:

    • Share games and downloadable content purchased from Microsoft Store with anyone else who signs in on your console. You can even share games downloaded as part of a subscription.
    • Share your Xbox Live Gold membership with anyone else who signs in on your console.

    You can also play downloaded games while traveling or, in the event of a network or service outage, on your home Xbox. You'll need to ensure that your console is set as your home Xbox before you go offline. To learn more, see Using Xbox One offline.

    If you have more than one Xbox One console, or if you sign in on multiple consoles, we recommend you designate the most frequently used console as your home Xbox. See How to designate an Xbox One console as your home Xbox to find out how.

    Do I need a console to use an Xbox Live Subscription?

    No, you don't need to own a console to use an Xbox Live Subscription. For example, if you play Minecraft on any "Bedrock" platform—Win10, Android, Nintendo Switch or iOS—Xbox Live will let you join multiplayer games with users on any of those platforms. Also, with an Xbox Live account, any Minecraft content you purchase in the Minecraft Marketplace can be used on any Bedrock version of the game you might own.

    Related Issues

    Getting started with Xbox One
    Xbox One Sign-In Solution
    Using Xbox Live Gold sharing features on Xbox One
    Back to top

    Did this resolve your issue?

    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 center
    Manuals and warranty info
    Post on the Community Support Forums
    Contact us

    Contact Us

    Would you like to contact Support regarding the "What is Xbox Live and how do I get started?" issue you were reading about or a different issue?

    Share this page

    Xbox

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

    Fans

    • Xbox Wire

    For Developers

    • Games
    • ID@Xbox
    • Windows 10
    • Creators Program
    • Designed for Xbox
    English (United States)
    • Sitemap
    • Contact Microsoft
    • Privacy & cookies
    • Terms of use
    • Trademarks
    • Safety & eco
    • About our ads
    • © Microsoft 2019