Xbox Live Gold is Microsoft’s premium online gaming service for Xbox consoles. It gives you access to online multiplayer gaming, free games every month, exclusive discounts in the Xbox Store, and more. Before you can take advantage of Xbox Live Gold benefits, you need to activate and set up a subscription. In this article we talk about Activate Xbox Live Gold In 2024.
Prerequisites
Before activating Xbox Live Gold, make sure you meet these requirements:
- You need an Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S console connected to the internet. Xbox 360 consoles also work but have fewer Gold benefits.
- You’ll need a valid payment method – a credit/debit card or PayPal account. You can’t activate Gold with Xbox gift cards or account credit.
- If activating on an Xbox 360, make sure you’ve installed the latest console update.
- Your Xbox profile needs to have a Gamertag (username).
Buying an Xbox Live Gold Membership
You can purchase an Xbox Live Gold subscription in a few ways:
On Your Xbox Console
- Turn on your Xbox and press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
- Navigate to the Store tab. Select Browse All then navigate to Subscriptions.
- Pick the Xbox Live Gold membership you want. Options are 1 month, 3 months or 12 months. The longer the subscription, the higher the discount.
- Complete your purchase with your payment method on file.
On the Xbox Website
- Go to account.microsoft.com/services on a web browser. Sign into your Microsoft account.
- Under Subscriptions, select Xbox Live Gold.
- Pick your desired membership plan’s duration and complete the purchase.
At Retail Stores
You can also buy Xbox Live Gold membership cards at retail stores like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, or Walmart. Redeem the code on the back of the card to add Gold to your Xbox account.
Activating Xbox Live Gold
Once you purchase a subscription, it doesn’t automatically activate. You have to activate Gold through your Xbox console:
- Turn on your Xbox and press the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Navigate to the far right tab labelled Profile & System.
- Select Settings.
- Go to Account > Subscriptions.
- Under Active subscriptions, select Xbox Live Gold.
- Choose Activate subscription and follow the prompts.
After activation, the benefits become available. You can confirm by checking for the Gold crown logo next to your Gamertag on your profile.
Using Xbox Live Gold
Now that it’s set up, here are the top Xbox Live Gold benefits to enjoy:
Free Games with Games With Gold
Every month, Microsoft gives Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers 4 free games – 2 Xbox One titles and 2 Xbox 360 titles. You can browse and download the games through the Games with Gold tab on your Xbox dashboard. Once claimed, the Xbox One games are yours to keep forever.
Online Multiplayer Gaming
This is the core benefit of Xbox Live Gold. You need an active subscription to play online multiplayer in games like Call of Duty, FIFA, Fortnite, and hundreds more. It connects you with other players for competitive and cooperative online play.
Deals with Gold Savings
Xbox Live Gold members get exclusive discounts of up to 75% on select game add-ons and season passes. Discounted items refresh weekly, so check the Deals with Gold section regularly to save money.
Games on Demand Playable Demos
Xbox Live Gold grants unlimited access to playable game demos from the Xbox dashboard. It lets you preview games before buying so you don’t waste money on titles you end up not liking.
Games with Gold Vault Games
In addition to the monthly free games, hundreds of Xbox 360 titles are discounted for Xbox Live Gold members in the Games with Gold Vault sale. Iconic last-gen games are available for up to 65% off.
Renewing Your Membership
When your Gold membership nears expiration, renew it from your Xbox console or the Xbox Accounts website. Renewing extends your benefits for the duration chosen at checkout.
To maximize savings, purchase an annual plan since its effective monthly cost is lowest. Or enable recurring billing (on by default) while subscribing so it renews automatically at the current membership rate.
Conclusion
Activating Xbox Live Gold grants online multiplayer gaming, free monthly games, exclusive member discounts, playable demos, and more. First purchase a subscription, then activate it through your Xbox console settings. Check the Gold member area on your dashboard to browse all benefits. Enjoy next-gen gaming with your activated Xbox Live Gold membership. I sincerely hope you find this “Activate Xbox Live Gold In 2024” article helpful.