How do I change my aircraft tail number in MSFS?

To change an aircraft tail number in Microsoft Flight Simulator, open the aircraft’s pre-flight configuration from the World Map or Free Flight screen, find the Customization, Identity or ATC options, enter the registration in the Tail Number field, and apply it before loading the flight. Menu wording differs between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.

Where is the tail-number setting in MSFS 2020 and 2024?

The aircraft registration is normally set in the selected aircraft’s pre-flight options, not from the cockpit after the flight has loaded.

1. Open flight planning. Use the World Map in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or Free Flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
2. Select the aircraft and livery. Choose the livery first, because changing it afterwards can restore that livery’s saved identity or reveal a registration painted into its textures.
3. Open the identity settings. In MSFS 2020, look for Customization or ATC Options. In MSFS 2024, open the selected aircraft’s configuration or details panel and find its identity or ATC fields. The exact panel label can vary by interface and activity.
4. Enter the registration. Type the required value in Tail Number, such as N123AB or G-ABCD.
5. Apply it before departure. Confirm the change if the interface offers an Apply button, then load the flight.

The setting is not always global. Recheck it after switching aircraft, liveries or saved flight configurations. Structured activities can also supply a fixed aircraft identity, so use Free Flight when testing whether the change works.

Why does the old tail number still appear?

A changed Tail Number field only alters the visible marking when that aircraft and livery support Microsoft Flight Simulator’s dynamic registration system.

• The number is painted into the livery. A texture-based registration cannot be replaced by the identity field.
• The model has no dynamic registration decal. ATC may use the new number even though nothing changes on the exterior.
• The aircraft was already loaded. Return to flight planning, reselect the aircraft and start a fresh flight.
• The add-on has separate settings. Complex aircraft may store their registration in an EFB, cockpit tablet or aircraft-specific configuration panel.
• The decal rejects the format. If it remains blank, try letters and digits without punctuation; character support differs between aircraft.

A mistake we see constantly is expecting the Tail Number field to repaint a fixed livery. For example, this 787 livery with a realistic replacement registration supplies its marking through the aircraft paint rather than relying solely on the simulator’s dynamic decal.

Does changing the tail number also change the ATC callsign?

For general aviation, built-in ATC normally uses the tail number when no separate airline callsign and flight number override it.

• Tail Number is the aircraft registration.
• Call Sign is the airline or operator name spoken by ATC.
• Flight Number is the service number appended to that callsign.

Do not place an airline callsign and flight number in the Tail Number box. Configure those separate fields instead. If the aircraft provides its own EFB identity page, keep that registration consistent with the simulator setting so ATC, cockpit displays and exterior markings do not disagree.

How do I make a tail number permanent?

A permanent exterior tail number normally requires a dedicated livery or repaint rather than the pre-flight Tail Number field.

On PC, create a separate livery package instead of overwriting an official aircraft package, because simulator updates can replace direct edits. Our repaint creation and installation guide explains the paint-kit workflow and why a texture-based registration differs from the simulator’s ATC identity.

On Xbox Series X|S, and on PlayStation 5 for MSFS 2024, users cannot manage Community-folder packages as they can on PC. Use the built-in identity field or a compatible livery supplied through the simulator. Choose the built-in setting for quick ATC changes; choose a repaint when the exact registration must appear permanently on the airframe.