How to Play on Xbox Live for Free

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to obtain a temporary Xbox LIVE subscription for free. You can do this by earning 7000 points through Microsoft Rewards, by signing up for a free trial with a new gamertag, or by entering the code from a two- or three-day subscription card that you'll find in some brand-new or pre-ordered games.

Playing Xbox Live Using the Free 1-Month Trial

Sign into the Xbox LIVE site. Click your profile picture and go to Services & subscriptions. Click "Try Xbox Live Gold for free." If prompted, sign into your account, then add payment information. As long as you cancel before a month passes, you won't be charged.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Microsoft Rewards

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to https://www.bing.com/ .
  2. Click Sign in in the top-right corner of the page, click Connect to the right of the Microsoft logo, and enter your Microsoft email address and password.
    • If you don't have an Xbox LIVE account, create one first.
    • You must have a Microsoft account to sign up for Microsoft Rewards.
    Advertisement
  3. It's the red medal icon in the upper-right side of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
  4. This blue button is in the bottom-left corner of the drop-down menu. Doing so takes you to the Microsoft Rewards page.
  5. It's an orange button at the top of the page.
  6. Doing so will take you to the Microsoft Rewards page. You're now signed up for rewards.
    • Skip this step if you aren't asked to log in again.
  7. Instead of using Google or Yahoo search, use Bing. [1] You'll receive five points for each search. [2]
    • There is a limit to how many searches you can perform, but it varies depending on the available challenges. Keep an eye on your points while searching to make sure that you're still earning them.
    • You can search on multiple browsers to earn points after you hit the limit on one browser.
    • You can change your browser's search engine to have it use Bing if you'd like to search with Bing by default. [3]
  8. Click the "Rewards" icon, then click Claim below any notification offering you points. This will add the points to your overall total.
    • You'll also see challenges that you can participate in here.
  9. Once you earn 7000 points through searches, challenges, and rewards, you can use them to purchase a month of Xbox LIVE.
  10. Go to the Xbox LIVE membership reward page . This is where you'll claim your free month of Xbox LIVE.
  11. It's below the Xbox LIVE gift card image.
  12. After doing so, Microsoft will send an email to your account with your Xbox LIVE code.
    • You may first have to enter your phone number and then enter a code that Microsoft will send to your number.
    13. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using a Free Trial

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to https://www.xbox.com/en-US/live and sign in with your Xbox Silver account. This must be a Microsoft account.
    • This method will only work if you've never had Xbox LIVE on your account. If you've had Xbox LIVE before, you'll need to create a new Microsoft account .
    • You also cannot use the same phone number that you've used for other Microsoft accounts before.
  2. It's in the top-right corner of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
  3. This option is near the top of the drop-down menu.
  4. It's a tab in the blue ribbon at the top of the page.
  5. This link is below the "Xbox" heading. Doing so will take you to a membership selection page.
    • If you see Join Xbox Live Gold here, you can't use a free trial on your current account.
  6. It should be the top option on this page.
  7. This green button is in the bottom-right corner of the page.
  8. You may be asked to enter your email address and password again to confirm that you want to add this subscription to your account.
    • You may also be asked to verify your account. If so, enter the phone number at which you want to receive the verification text, click Send code , open the text from Microsoft and note the code, and then enter the code into the field on this page.
  9. This will usually consist of entering a card's number, security code, name, expiration date, and ZIP code. You won't be charged for anything until the following month when your Xbox LIVE subscription automatically renews for $9.99.
    • You can cancel your subscription at any time to prevent it from auto-renewing at the end of the free trial.
  10. It's in the bottom-left corner of the page. This will save your card information and add the month of free Xbox LIVE to your account.
    11. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using a Free Trial Code on Xbox One

PDF download Download Article
  1. Some games come with a two- or three-day free trial code card in the packaging. You can enter the code on the card into your Xbox One's Settings to redeem your free play days.
  2. Press and hold the "Guide" button, which is the Xbox logo in the middle of the controller. This will turn on both the Xbox and the controller.
  3. Press the "Guide" button, then scroll up to the top of the Guide menu. If you see the correct profile, you're good to go.
    • If you see a different profile than the one to which you want to apply the free trial, select the account, scroll down and select Sign out , and then re-open the Guide menu and sign in with the correct account.
  4. Scroll down to select the gear-shaped Settings icon, then press A .
    • If you had to sign into a different account, first press the "Guide" button again.
  5. This will open the Settings menu.
  6. It's on the left side of the screen.
  7. You'll find this option in the bottom row of options here.
  8. It's in the middle of the screen.
    • If you've used Gold on this account before, you'll just select the Xbox Live Gold option.
  9. Doing so will open a window for you to enter your code.
    • If you've used Gold before, you'll select Change the way you pay and press A , then select Redeem a code and press A .
  10. Press A to select the text field, then use the on-screen keyboard to type in the code.
  11. It's below and to the right of the "Guide" button. This will apply the code and the accompanying free play time to your Microsoft account.
    12. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using a Free Trial Code on Xbox 360

PDF download Download Article
  1. Some games come with a two- or three-day free trial code card in the packaging. You can enter the code on the card into your Xbox 360's Settings to redeem your free play days.
  2. Press and hold the "Guide" button, which is the Xbox logo in the middle of the controller. This will turn on both the Xbox and the controller.
  3. Press the "Guide" button, then look at the name on the left side of the Guide window. If it belongs to the account that you want to use, you're good to go.
    • If you're signed into the wrong account, press X , select Yes , press X again, and select the correct account.
  4. Press the "Guide" button once to do so.
  5. It's on the far-right side of the Xbox 360 menu. Press the RB button seven times to navigate to this tab. [4]
  6. You'll find this option in the bottom row of settings. [5]
  7. It's at the top of the "Your Billing Options" window.
  8. Type the card's code into the text field using the on-screen keyboard. [6]
  9. This button is to the right of the "Guide" button. Doing so will enter your card code and apply the free Gold days to your account.
    • You may have to restart your Xbox 360 for your account to recognize the Gold.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I play movies from my phone on my Xbox 360?
    Community Answer
    If the movie is on YouTube, simply find the movie from the YouTube app on the Xbox 360. If the movie is a local file, you will need to put the file on a USB stick formatted to be read by the Xbox 360 and then insert the USB stick into your Xbox 360.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 15
  • Question
    How do I download Roblox on a normal XBox?
    Community Answer
    You can do this only on an Xbox One or above. You need to go to the store and search Roblox. Then install it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 16 Helpful 5
  • Question
    Does this work everywhere?
    Community Answer
    Microsoft Rewards is only available in the USA, UK, Germany, and Australia. It does not work elsewhere.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 18
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • You can also purchase a 12-month Xbox LIVE subscription if you manage to earn 30,000 points.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Using any online service to play on Xbox LIVE without paying will get your account permanently banned from Xbox LIVE.
        Thanks
        Helpful 9 Not Helpful 4
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      A Complete Guide to Trash Talk
      How to
      Set Up an Xbox Live Account
      How to
      Get Help from Xbox Live's Customer Support Team
      How to
      Access the Xbox One Cloud
      How to
      Set Up an Xbox 360 to Get Online
      How to
      Sign in to Xbox Live
      How to
      Set up Xbox Live
      How to
      Change Your Nat Type on Xbox Live
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/how-to-earn-microsoft-rewards-points-83179747-1807-7a5e-ce9d-a7c544327174
      2. ↑ https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/rewards/about
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/change-your-default-search-engine-in-microsoft-edge-cccaf51c-a4df-a43e-8036-d4d2c527a791
      4. ↑ https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/subscriptions-billing/manage-subscriptions/viewing-and-managing-your-memberships
      5. ↑ https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/subscriptions-billing/manage-subscriptions/viewing-and-managing-your-memberships
      6. ↑ https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/subscriptions-billing/redeem-codes-gifting/redeem-prepaid-codes

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Go to https://www.bing.com .
      2. Sign in to your Microsoft Xbox Live account.
      3. Click the Rewards icon.
      4. Click Join Now .
      5. Click Try it now, free .
      6. Use Bing to search as much as possible to achieve awards.
      7. Redeem your rewards once you reach 7000 points.
      8. Use the points to buy a month of Xbox Live.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 577,503 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement