How to redeem an Xbox or Microsoft Store code

Codes for Xbox and for the Microsoft Store are redeemed against a Microsoft account, not against a particular console or computer. That makes them flexible: you can redeem a code on the web and have the game waiting on your console when you get home. It also means the most common mistake is redeeming on the wrong Microsoft account, especially on a family console where several people are signed in.

The code itself is 25 characters long, usually written as five groups of five. Hyphens are optional when you enter it.

Check which account you are using

Before you redeem anything, make sure the account shown on screen is the one you want the game on. On a console, press the Xbox button and check the profile at the top of the guide. On the web, check the account in the top-right corner of the page after you sign in.

Like the other platforms we sell for, a redeemed code cannot be moved to a different account afterwards.

On an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One

1. Open the Store from the home screen.
2. Press the View button on your controller (the small button with two overlapping squares) to open the Store menu, then select Redeem.
3. Enter the 25-character code and follow the prompts to confirm.
4. The game or add-on is added to your account, and the console offers to install it.

Menu layouts on Xbox change with system updates. If the Redeem option has moved, it is always somewhere in the Store's own menu.

On the web

Go to redeem.microsoft.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, enter the code and confirm. This is the most dependable route because you can see exactly which account you are signed in to. If your console is switched on and set to install automatically, the download may start without you doing anything else.

On a Windows PC

Open the Microsoft Store app, select your profile picture at the top of the window and choose the option to redeem a code. Enter the code and confirm. PC games then appear in the Microsoft Store's library and in the Xbox app.

Xbox, Microsoft Store and Play Anywhere

On our product pages you will see some codes labelled Xbox and others labelled Microsoft Store. The label tells you where the code is meant to be redeemed and what it includes, so check it against the device you want to play on:

• An Xbox code is for Xbox consoles. Some titles are also part of Microsoft's Play Anywhere programme, which means one purchase covers both the console and the Windows PC version. If that matters to you, check the game's page on the Microsoft Store before buying, because not every title takes part.
• A Microsoft Store code is usually for the Windows version of a game or app.

You can filter the catalogue by either platform on the game keys page.

Region settings on Microsoft accounts

Microsoft accounts have a country or region setting, and some codes can only be redeemed on accounts set to particular countries. Where a product we sell has a requirement like this, the product page says so before you buy.

Do not change your account's region to make a code work. Microsoft limits how often the region can be changed, and an account region that does not match where you live can cause problems with payments and future purchases. If the product page shows a restriction that does not match your account, choose a different listing instead. Our guide to region-specific activation explains how to read these notices.

Common error messages

• This code has already been redeemed. If this appears the first time you enter it, stop and contact us with a screenshot.
• This code isn't valid in your market or region. The code has a region requirement that does not match your account's settings.
• The code can't be found or isn't valid. Check for typing errors. Characters such as the letter O and zero, or the letter I and the number one, are easy to confuse when copying by hand, which is why the copy button on your order is the safer route.

Still stuck? Email [email protected] with your order number and a photo or screenshot of the message. See what to do if a key does not activate for what to include.