The trouble with using an Xbox passkey is that you can lose it when you need it most. Although unfortunate, doing so was the right decision, as is continuing to use it after recovery. The passkey acts as a bonus layer of security against intruders. It can also allow for additional measures if other people use your Xbox Series X/S, or Xbox One console, especially children and their parents. Additionally, the Xbox passkey carries over to every Xbox you use. On top of that, purchases trigger it, thus preventing accidental or malicious charges.
The passkey usually gets lost when you restore Xbox. Fortunately, it is pretty easy to get it back. With that said, here’s how to recover Xbox passkey.
Method 1. Delete the old passkey, then create a new one
As the title suggests, instead of retrieving the old Xbox passkey, you can create a new one. This won’t work for children’s accounts unless they have their parent’s personal Xbox passkey beforehand. Follow these steps to recover Xbox passkey by erasing the old, then setting up a new one:
- Press the Xbox button on the controller.
- The guide opens on the left-hand side.
- Select Settings under Profile & system.
- Go to Account.
- Select Sign-in, security & passkey.
- Choose Delete my passkey.
- Confirm the decision.
- You can now choose the Create my passkey option.
- Tip. If you can’t, go back to the home screen, and re-trace the steps. If needed, restart Xbox.
- Decide on a 6-digit passkey, and enter it twice.
Method 2. Recover Xbox passkey via your Microsoft account
The problem with the steps above is that you might be asked to enter a current Xbox passkey when trying to erase it. If that happens, here are the instructions to Recover Xbox passkey using a Microsoft account:
- Re-do the activity that requires you to enter an Xbox passkey.
- Enter any 6-digit passkey for Xbox three times in a row, and Xbox will detect it was incorrect.
- You are prompted to re-enter the password for the Microsoft account tied to the console to confirm identity.
- Once you do so, you’ll be prompted to select the Make a new passkey option.
- Enter the new passkey twice.
Method 3. Recover Xbox passkey by deleting Xbox profile
Some Xbox users who have auto-login set up might not remember their password, especially if it was complex or generated. For that reason, you can remove your Xbox profile and sign back in like this:
- Follow steps 1-4 in method 1.
- Select the Remove accounts option.
- Highlight the Xbox profile you want to get rid of.
- Choose the Remove option to confirm, then Close.
- Go back to the Profile & system option, and select Add or switch.
- Select Add new. Enter/auto-fill the e-mail address for your Xbox Live/Microsoft account, and choose Enter.
- Enter or auto-fill the password, then select Enter.
- Select I Accept and configure your account preferences.
- The Xbox passkey should be gone. You can set up a new one using steps 1-5, 8, and 10 in method 1.
Method 4. Clear Xbox cache
Clearing the cache on Xbox One or Xbox Series X or S can also wipe the passkey, and allow you to re-sign in with your Microsoft/Xbox Live account. Here’s how clearing cache on Xbox works:
- Power down your console by pressing and holding the Power button.
- Unplug the power cable both from the outlet and the console.
- After a minute or two, plug the power cable on both sides.
- On Xbox One, wait for the white light to turn orange. On Xbox Series X/S, proceed to the next step after a minute.
- Press the Power button to turn your Xbox on.
Method 5. Contact Xbox Customer Support
If you can’t recover your Microsoft account needed for the Xbox Live service, it’s time to reach out for help. And who better than the service provider, Microsoft’s Xbox department? Visit their Contact Us page, and select a method that fits you best.
How to require a PIN for Xbox purchases?
You don’t want to waste money on things you don’t want or let others sneak into your account and buy stuff, do you? Well, you can make your console ask for your secret code whenever you want to shop from the Microsoft Store. That way, you can make sure that it’s really you who’s buying something and not some impostor. Here’s how you can make this happen:
- Tap the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
- Go to Profile & System> Settings > Account > Sign-in, security & PIN.
- Pick Change my sign-in & security preferences.
- Choose Ask for my passkey or Lock it down. Both options will make your console ask for your secret code when you shop, but the second one will also ask for it when you sign in or change settings.
- Confirm your choice and get out of there.
Now, every time you try to buy something from the Microsoft Store, you’ll have to punch in your secret code before you can seal the deal. This way, you can keep track of your money and keep your account safe from intruders.
How to make and use an Xbox guest key?
Sometimes you have friends or family over who want to play on your console, but they don’t have their own Xbox profile. You can make a guest key for them, so they can use your console without needing you to sign in or be around. A guest key is a 6-digit code that you can type on your controller to use your console.
A guest key lets the guest:
- Play games and apps that are on your console.
- Use your Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate goodies.
- Get past any content limits that you set for your console.
To make a guest key, do this:
- Press the Menu button on your controller, and go to Settings.
- Go to the OTHER PEOPLE section on the right.
- Select Guest Settings > Create a guest key.
- Make up the guest key (i.e., a 6-digit code), and save it.
To use a guest key, do this:
- When no one is playing on your console, press the Menu button on your controller.
- Type the guest key using the arrows and buttons on your controller.
- Now, the guest account shows up as HostName.
Note: A guest key is different from a passkey. A passkey is another way of signing in to your Xbox profile, while a guest key is a way of using your console without signing in. Guest key can only be used when no one is playing on your console, while a pass key can be used at any time.
