How to Redeem an Xbox Gift Card Code (Console, PC, Phone & Web)
September 2, 2026 · Updated November 2, 2026
To redeem an Xbox gift card, go to xbox.com/redeem (or redeem.microsoft.com) in any browser, sign in with your Microsoft account and enter the 25-character code, then confirm. On a console, open the Microsoft Store and choose Redeem; on Windows, use the Microsoft Store or Xbox app. The money becomes Microsoft account balance, usable on Xbox and PC. A shop card that still fails a day after you bought it needs the retailer, so keep the receipt.
Key facts
- Xbox codes are 25 characters in five blocks of five, and never use A, E, I, O, U, L, S, 0, 1 or 5.
- Codes redeem online at xbox.com/redeem, in the Microsoft Store on console or PC, or in the Xbox app on Windows.
- Microsoft says to sign in to the recipient's account when redeeming a code bought as a gift.
- Shop cards are switched on at the till; if one still fails a day later, the retailer has to fix it.
- Once redeemed, content can't be transferred to another Microsoft account.
All four methods below add the same balance to the same Microsoft account. You don't need a console at all.
Before you start: check three things
- Sign in to the right account. The money goes to the Microsoft account you are signed in with, and it cannot be moved to another account afterwards. On a shared console, check whose profile is active.
- Have the full 25-character code ready. It looks like
XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. On a physical card, scratch off the silver strip on the back gently, since a damaged character is the most common cause of a failed code. - Check the region. A code works only in the country it was sold for. A US card will not redeem into a UK account.
How to redeem an Xbox code on the web (any device)
This is the method that always works, including when the console or app is giving you trouble.
- Open redeem.microsoft.com in a browser.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account you use on Xbox.
- Enter the 25-character code. The dashes are added automatically.
- Select Next, check what the code is for, then select Confirm.
The balance or item appears on your account straight away and syncs to your console, PC and phone.
How to redeem a code on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Press the Xbox button to open the guide and make sure the right profile is signed in.
- Open the Microsoft Store on the console.
- Find Redeem in the Store's menu. You can also search the console's settings for "Redeem".
- Enter the code with the controller or a USB keyboard, then select Next and Confirm.
To check your balance afterwards: Settings → Account → Payment & billing.
The menu names change slightly with dashboard updates. If you can't find Redeem, use the web method above. The money ends up in the same place.
How to redeem an Xbox gift card on PC
You can do this in either app:
- Microsoft Store app: open it, select your profile picture, choose Redeem code or gift cards, enter the code and confirm.
- Xbox app for PC: select your profile picture, find Redeem in the menu, enter the code and confirm.
Or use redeem.microsoft.com in your browser. It's the same account balance, and it can be spent on Xbox console games, PC Game Pass and the Microsoft Store.
How to redeem an Xbox code on your phone (iPhone or Android)
The easiest way on mobile is your phone's browser:
- Open redeem.microsoft.com in Safari or Chrome.
- Sign in with your Xbox account.
- Enter the code and confirm.
Depending on the version, the Xbox mobile app may not offer a redeem option. Apple and Google store rules limit what console apps can sell or redeem. The browser method avoids this completely.
Xbox 360: can you still redeem codes?
Mostly no. Microsoft closed the Xbox 360 Store and Marketplace on July 29, 2024. You can no longer buy anything on an Xbox 360, and download codes that were only for the 360 may no longer be redeemable.
What still works:
- A regular Xbox gift card redeems to your Microsoft account on the web, and the balance can be spent on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC or xbox.com, including many backward-compatible Xbox 360 games.
- Games you already own on the 360 can still be downloaded and played.
How to activate an Xbox gift card from a store
Physical Xbox cards bought in a shop are activated at the checkout when they are scanned and paid for. There is nothing to activate yourself. You just redeem the code as above.
If you get an error saying the card hasn't been activated or the code isn't valid yet:
- Give it up to a day after purchase before trying again, since activation happens at the till and can lag.
- If it still fails, go back to the store with your receipt. Only the retailer can fix an activation that didn't go through. Microsoft can't activate it for them.
Xbox redeem errors and how to fix them
| Error | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "This code wasn't found" or "isn't valid" | A character is wrong or unreadable | Retype it carefully. See the character note below |
| "This code has already been redeemed" | It has been used, possibly on another of your accounts | Check every account you own, then contact the seller |
| "This code is for a different region" | The card's country doesn't match your account | Use it on an account in that region, or return it. Changing your account region is very restricted |
| "This code isn't activated" | The store's activation didn't go through | Wait 24 hours, then take your receipt back to the retailer |
| "Too many attempts" | Several wrong codes were entered in a row | Stop and wait before trying again |
| Code redeemed but balance missing | Usually a short sync delay | Sign out and back in, or check at account.microsoft.com |
Microsoft codes never contain these characters
A, E, I, O, U, L, S, 0, 1 and 5 are never used in Microsoft codes, because they are too easy to confuse with each other. So if you think you see a "0", it is not a zero, and a character that looks like an "S" or a "5" is something else. Compare it with the same character elsewhere on the card. Knowing this fixes most "code not found" errors.
Where to check your Microsoft balance
- Web: account.microsoft.com → Payment & billing
- Console: Settings → Account → Payment & billing
Gift card money becomes Microsoft account balance, and you can spend it on games, add-ons, movies, apps and subscriptions such as Game Pass. Using it for a subscription has a catch around renewal and backup payment methods. See paying for Game Pass or PS Plus with gift cards.
Don't have a code yet?
XPReward pays in real Xbox gift cards: $25, $50 and $100, priced at 144 points per $1, with 250 points to start. It takes real time, and how much you can actually make is upfront about how much. Read how to earn free Xbox gift cards, or create a free account and check live prices in the Reward Store.
Frequently asked questions
Do Xbox gift cards expire?
Microsoft gift card balance generally doesn't expire once redeemed, but some promotional and game codes have an end date printed on them. Redeem codes soon after you get them.
Can I redeem an Xbox code without a console?
Yes. redeem.microsoft.com, the Microsoft Store on PC and the Xbox PC app all work without a console.
Can I move my balance to another account?
No. Once redeemed, the balance stays on that account. Check which account is signed in before you redeem.
Can I stack several gift cards?
Yes. Each one adds to the same balance, up to an account limit.
Is an Xbox gift card the same as a Microsoft gift card?
Yes. Both add balance to your Microsoft account, which you can spend across Xbox and the Microsoft Store.
Someone sent me a "free Xbox code" in a DM. Is it real?
Almost certainly not. Free code generators and DM giveaways are scams, and no legitimate code ever needs your password anywhere except Microsoft's own sign-in page. See rewards site scams.
My code still won't work. What now?
Work through gift card code not working for Xbox, PSN and Steam error fixes. If the code came from a reward site, contact that site's support with the code and a screenshot of the error.
Sources
Xbox redemption steps checked on 2 November 2026 against: