The fastest way to send Game Pass is through a gift card
You cannot transfer your own Game Pass subscription to someone else, but you can buy them a Game Pass gift card that they redeem on their own account. Microsoft sells these cards in set amounts — typically $10, $20, or $50 — and you can buy them online or in stores, then send the code to your friend by email, text, or in person.
The gift card approach works because your friend creates or uses their own Microsoft account to redeem it. They then use that credit toward a Game Pass subscription at whatever tier they choose (Game Pass for PC, Game Pass for Console, or Game Pass Ultimate). This is the only official way to give someone Game Pass without them paying directly themselves.
Alternatively, you can buy a Game Pass gift subscription directly through the Microsoft Store, which lets you specify your friend's email address and choose how many months to give them. This method is simpler if you want to give them Game Pass itself rather than store credit.
Key Takeaways
- Game Pass gift subscriptions let you buy 1, 3, or 12 months directly for your friend's account through the Microsoft Store.
- Game Pass gift cards come in $10, $20, and $50 denominations and can be purchased at retailers or online, then redeemed by your friend on their own account.
- Your friend needs a Microsoft account to redeem either a gift card or a gift subscription, but they do not need an existing Game Pass membership.
- Gift subscriptions are sent by email and can be redeemed when ready or saved for later, depending on whether your friend already has an active subscription.
Buying a Game Pass gift subscription through Microsoft Store
Open the Microsoft Store on your PC or go to xbox.com/game-pass in your web browser. Search for "Game Pass gift" or navigate to the Game Pass section and look for the gift option. You will see three subscription lengths: 1 month, 3 months, or 12 months. Select the length you want to give and click the purchase button.
At checkout, you will enter your payment method and the email address where you want the gift code sent. Microsoft will send a redemption link to that email address. Your friend clicks the link, signs in with their Microsoft account (or creates one if they do not have one), and the subscription is added to their account. If they already have an active Game Pass subscription, the gift months stack on top of their current expiration date.
This method is the most direct because your friend does not have to do anything except click the email link and sign in. The subscription starts when ready upon redemption, so if they want to delay it, they should not click the link until they are ready.
Purchasing Game Pass gift cards at retailers
Game Pass gift cards are sold at most major retailers including Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and GameStop, both in-store and online. You can also buy them directly from the Microsoft Store website. The cards come in $10, $20, and $50 amounts, and each one can be used toward any Xbox or Microsoft Store purchase, including Game Pass subscriptions.
When you buy a physical card in a store, it comes with a scratch-off code on the back. If you buy online, the code is sent to your email when ready. You then share that code with your friend however you prefer — text it to them, email it, write it on a card, or read it aloud. Your friend goes to xbox.com/redeem, signs in with their Microsoft account, enters the code, and the credit is added to their account balance.
Once they have the credit, they can use it to start a Game Pass subscription or buy anything else from the Microsoft Store. This method gives them more flexibility because they control when and how to spend the credit, but it requires one extra step compared to a direct gift subscription.
What your friend needs to redeem a gift
Your friend must have a Microsoft account to redeem either a gift card or a gift subscription. If they do not have one, they can create one for free at account.microsoft.com using an email address and password. They do not need to have Game Pass already, and they do not need to own an Xbox console — a Microsoft account is all that is required.
When they redeem a gift subscription or gift card code, they sign in with that account, and the credit or subscription is attached to it. If they later want to use Game Pass on a different device or console, they sign in with the same Microsoft account on that device.
Stacking multiple gifts and managing expiration
If your friend already has an active Game Pass subscription and you send them a gift, the new months are added to their current expiration date rather than replacing it. For example, if they have 2 months remaining and you gift them 3 months, their subscription will now expire 5 months from today. This means you can give multiple gifts over time and they all stack together.
Game Pass subscriptions do not expire once redeemed — the months only count down while the subscription is active. If your friend redeems a 12-month gift but does not set up Game Pass for a few weeks, the 12 months do not start until they actually turn on the subscription. This gives them flexibility to use the gift whenever they are ready.
Choosing between gift subscriptions and gift cards
A gift subscription is best if you want to give Game Pass specifically and do not want your friend to have to make any decisions. You pick the length, pay for it, and they receive the subscription in their email. It takes one click on their end.
A gift card is better if you want to give your friend flexibility or if you are not sure which Game Pass tier they want. They can use the credit toward Game Pass for PC, Game Pass for Console, Game Pass Ultimate, or anything else in the Microsoft Store. Gift cards are also easier to find in physical stores if you prefer to buy in person.
Both methods cost the same amount and both result in your friend having Game Pass. The choice comes down to whether you want to decide the subscription length for them or let them choose.
Troubleshooting common issues
If your friend does not receive the gift subscription email, ask them to check their spam or promotions folder — Microsoft emails sometimes get filtered. If it is not there, the email address you entered may have been misspelled. Contact Microsoft Support with your order number and they can resend the code to the correct address.
If a gift card code is not working, make sure your friend is entering it at xbox.com/redeem and not somewhere else. Codes are case-insensitive, but they must be entered exactly as written, with no extra spaces. If the code still does not work after a few tries, the card may be damaged or defective — contact the retailer or Microsoft with proof of purchase for a replacement.
If your friend's account is in a region where Game Pass is not available, they will not be able to redeem the gift. Game Pass is available in most countries, but a small number of regions do not have access. If this is the case, the credit or subscription cannot be used and you may be able to request a refund from Microsoft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I gift Game Pass if I do not have a subscription myself?
Yes. You do not need to own Game Pass to buy a gift for someone else. You can purchase a gift subscription or gift card from the Microsoft Store or a retailer without having an active subscription on your own account.
What happens if my friend already has Game Pass when I send them a gift?
The gift months stack on top of their current subscription. If they have 1 month left and you gift them 3 months, their expiration date moves 3 months forward. They do not lose anything and do not have to do anything except let the subscription continue.
Can I gift Game Pass Ultimate instead of regular Game Pass?
If you buy a gift subscription, you choose the tier at purchase — Game Pass for PC, Game Pass for Console, or Game Pass Ultimate. If you buy a gift card, your friend can use the credit toward whichever tier they want. Either way, Game Pass Ultimate is available as an option.
How long does it take for my friend to receive the gift?
Gift subscription codes are sent to your friend's email within a few minutes of your purchase. Gift cards bought online are also delivered by email when ready. Physical gift cards from stores are ready to use as soon as you buy them. Your friend can redeem any of these right away or wait until later.
What if my friend wants to cancel the gift subscription?
Your friend can manage their subscription through their Microsoft account settings. They can pause it, turn off auto-renewal, or cancel it at any time. If they cancel, they lose access to Game Pass but any remaining months do not carry over or refund.