Xbox Friend Requests Finally Reintroduced After a Decade

Xbox Revives Friend Requests: A Decade-Long Wait Ends

Xbox has finally reinstated the friend request system, a much-requested feature absent for a decade. This article details the return of this crucial social element.

A Welcome Return for Xbox Gamers

Xbox's announcement of friend requests' return, via blog post and X (formerly Twitter), marks a significant shift from the past decade's follower-based system.

"We're thrilled to bring back friend requests," stated Xbox Senior Product Manager Klarke Clayton. "Friendships are now mutual, invite-based, offering greater control and flexibility." This means users can send, accept, or reject friend requests via the console's People tab.

Addressing Past Shortcomings

The previous "follow" system, while fostering an open social environment, lacked the control and intentionality of friend requests. The line between friends and followers blurred, creating ambiguity and hindering the ability to manage online connections effectively.

The "follow" system remains for one-way connections, allowing users to track content creators or communities without reciprocal interaction. Existing friends and followers will be automatically categorized under the new system.

Enhanced Privacy and Control

Microsoft prioritizes user privacy. New privacy and notification settings accompany the friend request feature, allowing users to control who can send requests, who can follow them, and which notifications they receive. These settings are accessible within the Xbox settings menu.

Positive Community Response

The news has generated overwhelmingly positive feedback on social media. Users celebrate the return, highlighting the previous system's shortcomings, which often resulted in unwanted followers and a lack of notification control. Some users humorously admitted they hadn't even realized the feature was missing.

The Road Ahead

While a precise release date hasn't been announced, the feature is currently being tested by Xbox Insiders on consoles and PC. Xbox's tweet promises further details on the full rollout later this year.

Join the Xbox Insiders program for early access. Download the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows PC.