How Do I Recover My Old Xbox Account?

Introduction

If you’ve been away from the gaming scene for a while and deleted your Xbox account, it may reach a point where you want to recover it. Microsoft allows you to recover your Xbox account if you haven’t exceeded 60 days from deletion. If you can't remember your password by the time you return to gaming, worry not; you can still recover your account in a few simple steps. Here are the steps to help recover your old Xbox account.

Gather the Necessary Information

To ensure a smooth recovery process, find the email address associated with your Xbox account and any credit card you may have used for purchases on the gaming platform. Next, head to the Xbox website and click the “Sign In” button. This will prompt you to enter your email address or the phone number linked to your account. You can also sign in with a security key using a flash drive. Enter the required information and click “Next.”

Enter Your Password

Once you enter your email address or mobile number, the system recognizes your account and prompts for a password on the next page. If you deleted your account but still remember the password, this is the correct time to use it. The next step opens up a message informing you that your account has been marked for closure, and you can reopen it if you’d like.

Verify Your Email Address

Once the pop-up message is displayed, click “Reopen Account.” The platform will then require verification to prove you own the account and prevent unauthorized access. Write your email address in the designated section on the account recovery page, then click “Send Code.” Since the system already knows the account email, you must input the same email address for it to work. After filling in the email address, click send code.

Enter the Security Code

If your email address matches the one on the Microsoft system, you’ll receive a security code in your inbox, which you must enter the recovery page's new section. Copy and paste the code to ensure that it’s correct. If you’re using a secondary device to access the code, double-check to ensure you’ve written the correct code before submitting it.

Submit the Security Code

Once confident that the code you’ve entered is correct, click “Next.” Your request is then submitted, and in a few seconds, a message pops up informing you that your account will no longer be closed as it was intended. When you deleted your account, it was only marked for closure; everything is intact after the recovery. Click “Done” to complete the recovery process.

Restore Purchased Games and Content

If you lose access to purchased games after recovering your Xbox account, don’t panic. Sign in to your account and navigate to the “Purchase History” section. This opens up a list of your previously purchased games and content. Select the ones you want to restore, then reinstall the games on your Xbox console. If you need further help, contact the Xbox customer support team.

Conclusion

Recovering an old Xbox account is a simple process that takes little time. No data is lost during the process, and you find your games the way you left them during the account deletion. Always keep your purchase receipts safe, as you can use them in the future to recover lost content.