Xbox Friend Requests Return After 10 Years

Xbox Revives Friend Requests: A Decade-Long Wait Ends

Xbox has finally reinstated the much-requested friend request system, ending a ten-year absence. This highly anticipated feature returns to the platform, addressing a long-standing community plea.

A Two-Way Street: More Control, More Connection

Xbox's announcement, shared via blog post and X (formerly Twitter), marks a significant shift from the previous decade's "follow" system. "We're thrilled to bring back friend requests," stated Xbox Senior Product Manager Klarke Clayton. "Friendships are now mutual, invite-based, offering users enhanced control and flexibility." The People tab on Xbox consoles will once again facilitate sending, accepting, and declining friend requests.

The "follow" system, while fostering an open social environment, lacked the direct connection and control many gamers desired. The distinction between friends and followers was often unclear, leading to confusion and an overwhelming number of passive connections.

The "follow" function remains, allowing users to track content creators and communities without reciprocal approval. Existing friends and followers will be automatically categorized under the new system, preserving existing relationships.

Privacy and Customization at the Forefront

Microsoft emphasizes user privacy. New settings will allow users to manage who can send friend requests, who can follow them, and which notifications they receive, all accessible within the Xbox settings menu.

Overwhelmingly Positive Reception

The news has been met with enthusiastic support on social media. Users celebrate the return, highlighting the frustrations of the previous system's lack of control and notification overload. Some users even humorously admitted they hadn't realized the feature was missing. While the friend request system benefits social players, it doesn't diminish the appeal of solo gaming.

Rollout and Insider Access

A precise release date for the full rollout is yet to be announced. However, given the strong community demand and current testing among Xbox Insiders on consoles and PC (starting this week), a broader release later this year is highly anticipated. Xbox's tweet promises further details soon.

Join the Xbox Insiders program to experience the revived friend request system early. Download the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox console or Windows PC.