How do You Sign In with Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7?

As promised a few weeks ago, I wanted to come back and walk you through the experience of using Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone. Today we’ll focus on how you log in, and how Windows LIVE ID is integrated into the system. Next time we’ll walk through how the gameplay experience works. Lots to talk about here, so I’ll just dive right in!

One of the most important things to understand about Windows Phone 7 is that access to all of your information centers around a Windows LIVE ID (WLID for short, also once known as a Passport or Hotmail ID). When you use Windows Phone, you log in once with your WLID. That, in turn, gives you access to a variety of linked data services including Hotmail, Windows Live Photos, Find My Phone, and yes, your Xbox LIVE account. Many people have a Windows LIVE ID (WLID for short) associated with their own personal email address, and if you have a Hotmail account you also already have a WLID.

The first time you power on a Windows Phone you’ll be asked if you have a Windows LIVE ID. To show your Xbox LIVE account on the phone you need to enter the WLID associated to your gamertag. If you don’t remember the WLID username and password you can tap the information link “I have an Xbox LIVE account.” for instructions to find your WLID on your console.

Once you’ve completed that setup, when you enter the Games hub it will retrieve your Xbox LIVE account, and you’ll see your Gamertag and other Xbox LIVE profile information as you continue to use the phone. If you want to use a different WLID on your phone (e.g. you want to use your Messenger ID instead), you will need to use your console to repoint your Xbox LIVE account to the phone WLID before you make purchases in the Marketplace or use Xbox LIVE in the Game hub. You can find information on how to associate your Xbox LIVE account with a different WLID here.

After signing in with your Windows LIVE ID, you’ll land on the start screen which has a Games Hub icon. Selecting the Games Hub icon brings you to the Games Hub itself. Note that at this point the avatar shown is either your real one (if you’ve associated your Xbox LIVE account with your WLID), or a generic one (because you aren’t currently an Xbox LIVE member).

If this is your first time with Xbox LIVE, you can select the “Play games with friends. Join free!” option. You’ll then go through a simplified Xbox LIVE account sign up process where you enter your Country and Date of Birth. Hit Accept, and you’re now the proud owner of a free Xbox LIVE account… with a couple of minor things left to tweak.

Since this is a new Xbox LIVE account, we don’t have a Gamertag for you, nor an avatar. To speed your signup we automatically create a Gamertag and show a blank avatar silhouette. You’ll be able to change them later, so select “done” and we move to the Games Hub.

You’ll notice your automatically generated Gamertag here, as well as a rather drab avatar silhouette. Tap on the avatar silhouette and you’ll be taken to an avatar editor, or tap the Gamertag to edit your profile details and change your Gamertag.

Once done, you’ll be back at the Games Hub and ready to explore all that Xbox LIVE has to offer on Windows Phone 7. You might choose to check out some of the suggestions in the Spotlight, or edit your avatar. You can view your achievements, and browse game invites and requests. Or take a look at the game Marketplace and see what tickles your fancy!

We’ll talk more next time about how you can purchase games and how the game play experience works. In the meanwhile, let us know if you have any questions!

Related posts:

1. How Do I Use Xbox LIVE APIs on Windows Phone?
2. Your Thoughts on Xbox LIVE and Windows Phone?
3. The Three Pillars of Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone
4. Want to Make Games for Windows Phone? Go to GDC!
5. Windows Phone 7 Series at GDC