Microsoft.com/link Minecraft Sign-In: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

If your Minecraft, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch screen suddenly asks you to visit microsoft.com/link and type a code, you are one short step away from playing online. This guide covers exactly where the code goes, what each device needs, and how to fix the most common sign-in failures without losing your saved worlds.

On this page:
What is microsoft.com/link •
Sign-in steps •
By device •
Common errors •
Is it safe •
FAQ •
TLDR

What is microsoft.com/link and why Minecraft needs it

Minecraft uses a Microsoft account to save purchases, skins, and Realms access across every device you own. On screens that cannot easily open a keyboard and browser together, such as an Xbox console, a Nintendo Switch, or a smart TV app, Minecraft shows a short alphanumeric code instead of a full sign-in form. You then open microsoft.com/link on a separate phone or computer, enter that code, and complete sign-in there. This is called a device code flow, and it is the same method used by many streaming apps and smart TVs, not something unique or risky to Minecraft.

• microsoft.com/link only accepts a code, it never asks for your Minecraft username directly.
• The code usually expires in about 10 to 15 minutes for security.
• You must sign in with the same Microsoft account tied to your Xbox gamertag or Minecraft purchase.

Step-by-step: link your Microsoft account in Minecraft

1. Get your code in Minecraft

Launch Minecraft and select Sign in with Microsoft. A short code, usually made of letters and numbers, appears on the screen along with the web address microsoft.com/link.

2. Open microsoft.com/link on another device

Using your phone or a computer browser, go to microsoft.com/link. Type the exact code from Minecraft and select Next. Codes are not case sensitive but must be entered without spaces.

3. Confirm your Microsoft account

Sign in with the email, phone number, or Skype ID linked to your Microsoft account, then approve the connection request. Return to Minecraft, and it will sign in automatically with your gamertag.

• Double-check you are using the Microsoft account that originally purchased or redeemed Minecraft.
• If you manage a child account, an adult must approve the sign-in from their own Microsoft account first.
• Keep the Minecraft screen open while you complete the steps on your other device.

Microsoft.com/link by device

Device	Where the code appears	Notes
Xbox console	Sign-in screen on first launch	Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Core needed for online play
Nintendo Switch	Below the microsoft.com/link URL	A free Microsoft account works, no Xbox subscription required
Windows PC	Minecraft Launcher sign-in window	Can usually sign in directly without a second device
Android or iOS	In-app sign-in screen	Use a second phone or a laptop browser to enter the code
PlayStation	First-time Minecraft sign-in prompt	PlayStation Plus still required for online multiplayer

Common microsoft.com/link errors and fixes

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
Code says expired or invalid	Took longer than 10 to 15 minutes to enter it	Back out of sign-in in Minecraft and generate a fresh code
Page loads but nothing happens after entering code	Typo in the code, or extra spaces pasted in	Retype the code manually instead of pasting it
Signed in but Minecraft still shows sign-in screen	Cached login token on the console or app	Fully close Minecraft, sign out and back into the Xbox app, then relaunch
Account needs adult permission	Account is registered as a child account under 18	A parent must approve the sign-in from the Microsoft family settings

• Never enter your microsoft.com/link code on a site with a different or misspelled domain.
• If a fix does not work, restart the console or app fully before trying again.
• Keep your Microsoft account recovery email and phone number up to date to avoid lockouts.

Is microsoft.com/link safe to use

Yes. Microsoft.com/link is an official Microsoft domain used across Xbox, Minecraft, and other Microsoft products for device-based sign-in, and it never asks for your password on that page, only the short code. The actual password entry happens on Microsoft’s own login page after the code is accepted. Be cautious only of look-alike domains in search ads or messages that are not microsoft.com.

Frequently asked questions

What is microsoft.com/link used for in Minecraft?

It is the official Microsoft device sign-in page where you type a short code shown in Minecraft to link the game to your Microsoft or Xbox account.

What if my microsoft.com/link code expires?

Close and reopen the sign-in screen in Minecraft to generate a new code, then enter it again on microsoft.com/link.

Do I need Xbox Live Gold to sign in this way?

No, signing in with a Microsoft account is free on every device. A subscription like Xbox Game Pass Core, PlayStation Plus, or Nintendo Switch Online is only required for online multiplayer, not for sign-in itself.

For device-specific token errors, see the official Xbox gaming services repair tool from Microsoft support, and the official Minecraft and Microsoft accounts reference page for account linking rules straight from Mojang.

If sign-in still fails after these steps, our detailed Minecraft Drowned error fix guide and Xbox account sign-in troubleshooting guide cover token cache resets and console-specific repairs in more depth.