Xbox is linked to your Microsoft account. These settings protect your identity across both. An Xbox account breach isn’t just a gaming problem — it’s a Microsoft identity problem.
DO / DON’T
DO:
- Enable 2-Step Verification on your Microsoft account — Xbox is linked to your Microsoft identity
- Review Privacy & Online Safety settings thoroughly — defaults expose too much
- Set up Family Safety if children use the console
DON’T:
- Use a gamertag that contains your real name or any identifiable information
- Allow strangers to see your online status, activity, or real name
- Skip reviewing linked social accounts
Settings Navigation
Path: Xbox console > press Xbox button > Settings > Account > Privacy & Online Safety
Privacy & Online Safety — Default Profiles
When you first access Privacy & Online Safety, you can choose a baseline:
- Child: Most restrictive — designed for under-13 accounts
- Teen: Moderate restrictions — designed for 13–17
- Adult: Default adult settings — still worth reviewing and tightening
- Custom: Full manual control — recommended; configure each setting individually
Select Custom and go through every setting below.
Online Status & History
- See your online status: Set to Friends only
- See your activity feed: Set to Friends only
- See your gaming history: Set to Friends only or Block
Profile Visibility
- See your profile: Set to Friends only
- Real Name: Set to Friends who added you, or Block — do not display your real name to strangers
- Profile Picture: Review; do not use a photo of yourself
Friends & Clubs
- Friend Requests: Set to Friends of friends or Block strangers
- Club membership visibility: Set to Friends or Only me
- Review current Friends list — remove accounts you don’t recognize
Communication & Multiplayer
- You can communicate with voice and text: Set to Friends only
- You can join multiplayer games: Set to Friends or Everyone depending on your use case
- You can join cross-network play: Disable if you don’t play with players on other platforms
- Others can communicate with voice or text: Set to Friends only
Gaming Content
- Others can see your game clips: Set to Friends only or Block
- You can use video for communications: Disable if not needed
App Privacy
Path: Settings > Account > Privacy & Online Safety > App Privacy
- Review which apps have permission to access your profile, activity, or communications
- Revoke access to any apps you don’t use
Sharing Outside Xbox
- Sharing data with games and apps: Review individual app data sharing
- Tailored experiences: Turn OFF — prevents Microsoft from using your gaming data to target advertising
Buying & Downloads
- Ask before buying: Enable — requires account password confirmation before any purchase
- Spending limit: Set a monthly spending limit for child accounts
Message Safety
Path: Privacy & Online Safety > Xbox Safety > Message Safety
- Set message filtering to Friendly — filters out potentially harmful messages
- Review recent messages for any suspicious contacts
Data Collection
Path: Settings > Account > Privacy & Online Safety > Xbox Safety > Data
- Review data collection settings
- Disable optional diagnostics and usage data sharing
- Opt out of interest-based advertising where available
Linked Social Accounts
Path: Microsoft account > Connected Accounts (account.microsoft.com)
- Review linked accounts (Twitter/X, etc.)
- Unlink any accounts you don’t want connected to your Xbox and Microsoft identity
Content Restrictions / Family Safety
Path: Settings > Account > Family Settings OR Xbox Family Safety app (iOS/Android)
- Install the Xbox Family Safety app for comprehensive child account management
- Set age-appropriate content restrictions
- Enable screen time limits and spending limits
- Review activity reports through the app
Set Privacy & Online Safety to Custom and go through each setting. “Ask Before Buying” is the one most households with kids overlook — enable it and set a spending limit.