How to gift Xbox and PC digital games in 2025 – the official steps

Table of Content

Microsoft has updated its official guidance for 2025 on gifting digital games across Xbox consoles and PC. The process covers the Microsoft Store on Xbox, the Xbox app on PC (including ROG Ally), Microsoft Store online via a web browser, and the Microsoft Store on Windows. Delivery is fast and handled through an Xbox message and email to the recipient linked to their account. The steps and available delivery options vary slightly by platform.

What’s changed in the 2025 update

The company reiterates platform‑specific options and a key restriction: the sender and recipient must be in the same country. It also clarifies where you can choose an Xbox friends list versus email only, and confirms support for games, add‑ons, and subscriptions as giftable content.

Gifting on Xbox consoles

• Open the Microsoft Store on your console and locate the game you want to send.
• Select the gift‑wrap icon to access Buy as gift.
• Choose a recipient from your friends list or enter an email address – both are supported on console.
• Confirm the purchase. The recipient will receive an Xbox message and an email with a code.
• They select Redeem code to add the item to their account.

Through the Xbox app on PC (including ROG Ally)

The steps mirror the console flow. Search for the game, select the “…” menu, then choose Buy as gift. You can send to an Xbox friend or via email. On ROG Ally handhelds, the same steps apply when using the Store tab in the Xbox Full Screen Experience.

Gifting via web browser

On the Microsoft Store online, the process is similar but the delivery method is email only. Sign in, find the game, add‑on, or subscription, choose Buy as gift from the “…” menu next to the buy button, and complete the send‑by‑email flow.

Microsoft Store on Windows

Within the Microsoft Store app on Windows, gifting also supports email only. Find the item, select Buy as gift (icon to the right of the buy button), sign in, and send to the recipient’s email.

Redemption and supported content

• Recipients get a console message (where applicable) and an email tied to their Xbox account.
• They redeem the provided code to access the content.
• Giftable items include games, add‑ons, and subscriptions (including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate).
• Country match required: the sender and recipient accounts must be registered in the same country.

Read also our article: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora update flips the camera — and raises the stakes with New Game+

Quick comparison – where you can send gifts

The table below summarizes recipient options across platforms so you can pick the route that fits your use case.

Official tutorial video

Gifting Digital Games on Your Xbox Console (YouTube):

Final takeaway – a streamlined path to digital gifting

The 2025 guidance standardizes how to send games and subscriptions across Xbox and PC, with clear notes on where friends‑list delivery is available and when email‑only applies. Keep the same‑country rule in mind, and your recipient can redeem and start playing within minutes.