You can gift Xbox Game Pass directly if the relevant Xbox or Microsoft Store offers a Buy as gift option for the subscription. If it does not, give an Xbox or Microsoft gift card instead; the recipient can use its balance toward Game Pass. For a gift card, match the recipient’s country and have them redeem the code on the Microsoft account they intend to use.
Choose between a subscription gift and a gift card
| Gift option | What the recipient gets | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Game Pass subscription gift | A selected Game Pass subscription, where the store offers the gift option. | Confirm that “Buy as gift” appears for the plan in the recipient’s relevant store. Microsoft says Game Pass can be gifted this way, and Xbox Wire’s December 5, 2025 guide describes the option for subscriptions including Game Pass Ultimate. Microsoft Store gift cards; Xbox Wire gifting guide. |
| Xbox or Microsoft gift card | Store balance the recipient can spend toward Game Pass or other eligible purchases. | Buy a card for the recipient’s country and currency, and make sure the recipient redeems it to the intended Microsoft account. Xbox gift cards; Microsoft code redemption instructions. |
The direct option is more specific: you choose the subscription, if gifting is available for that plan and market. A gift card leaves the spending choice to the recipient, subject to their local store options and the balance. It is not a preselected Game Pass plan.
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$25 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
How to gift a Game Pass subscription directly
- Open the Xbox Store or Microsoft Store for the relevant market and find the Game Pass subscription you want to give.
- Look for Buy as gift in the menu beside the regular purchase button. Xbox Wire describes gifting a subscription through the console or online store; the exact controls may differ by interface.
- At checkout, enter the recipient and delivery details requested. Before paying, verify the subscription and store region.
- The recipient should redeem the delivered code while signed in to the Microsoft account they want associated with the subscription.
Do not assume the gift option exists for every plan or country. Microsoft’s gift-card page describes gifting Game Pass through the store, and Xbox Wire gives a current example, but availability can vary by product, market, and interface. Check the actual listing before purchase.
How to give a gift card that can go toward Game Pass
- Buy an Xbox or Microsoft gift card for the recipient’s country and currency. Microsoft says Xbox gift cards work only in the country where purchased.
- Send the physical card or digital code. Microsoft says its digital gift-card code is delivered by email; participating retailers are another purchase route.
- Ask the recipient to sign in to the Microsoft account they intend to use, then redeem the code through Microsoft’s redemption page or the applicable Xbox or Microsoft interface.
- After redemption, the recipient can use the balance toward Game Pass through their local store’s purchase flow, or spend it on another eligible Microsoft or Xbox purchase.
Because a gift card is balance rather than a subscription, the recipient chooses which available plan to buy. Whether the balance covers the full purchase depends on the amount gifted and the price shown in the recipient’s store.
#1 Best Overall
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Check the country and account before redeeming
Match the gift card to the recipient’s country
Microsoft’s US Xbox gift-card information says cards are denominated in local currency and only work in the country where purchased. Buy for the recipient’s country and store region rather than assuming a card bought abroad will work. Microsoft’s country and region help page includes Xbox Game Pass among the services connected with Microsoft Store region settings, but it does not provide a compatibility chart for every subscription code. Microsoft gift-card information; Microsoft Store country and region help.
Redeem on the intended Microsoft account
The code is tied to the account used to redeem it. Xbox warns: “Just make sure you’re signed in to the correct Microsoft account before you redeem your code because you won’t be able to transfer it.” Have the recipient check the account before entering the code. Xbox code redemption guidance.
Rank #2
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Use Microsoft’s redemption flow
Microsoft’s support instructions direct users to select Redeem code, sign in, and enter or paste the code or token. Once redeemed, gift-card balance can be spent at Microsoft Store online, in Windows, or on Xbox. Microsoft code redemption instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- XBOX GIFT CARD: Buy full digital game downloads, game add-ons, in-game currency, memberships, devices, apps, movies, TV shows, and more.
- DIGITAL GAMES: Choose from hundreds of games, from AAA to indie options. Start playing the moment your most anticipated game is available when you pre-order and pre-download it.
- GAME AD-ONS: Extend the experience of your favorite games with add-ons and in-game currency.
- MOVIES & TV SHOWS: Rent or buy new and popular movies and TV shows from a massive library.
- PERFECT GIFT: Great as a gift for a friend or yourself. Xbox Gift Cards are easy to use, never expire, and give the freedom to pick the gift they want. Enjoy more ways to play without a credit card attached to your Microsoft account.
Rank #4
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Rank #3
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Which option should you choose?
- Choose a direct subscription gift if you want to select the Game Pass plan and the store offers Buy as gift for that plan.
- Choose a gift card if direct gifting is unavailable, or if you want the recipient to choose Game Pass or another eligible purchase.
- If the recipient’s country or Microsoft account is uncertain, confirm both before buying or redeeming a code. A card’s country restriction and the account’s redemption choice can affect whether the gift is usable as intended.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
