Xbox Friend Requests Finally Reintroduced After a Decade

Xbox Revives Friend Requests: A Decade-Long Wait Ends!

Responding to years of player requests, Xbox has reinstated the friend request system, marking a significant change to its social features. This long-awaited return brings back the familiar control and intentionality many gamers missed.

A Two-Way Street: More Control, More Flexibility

Xbox Senior Product Manager Klarke Clayton announced the news, emphasizing the renewed two-way, invite-based friendship system. Users can now send, accept, or decline friend requests via the console's People tab. This contrasts sharply with the previous decade-long "follow" system, which, while fostering an open environment, lacked the direct connection and clarity of traditional friend requests.

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

Privacy and Customization at the Forefront

Microsoft prioritizes user privacy. The update includes enhanced privacy and notification settings, allowing users to manage friend requests, follower requests, and notifications directly within the Xbox settings menu.

Overwhelmingly Positive Reception

The announcement has been met with enthusiastic responses on social media, with many users expressing relief and highlighting the previous system's shortcomings. While some players were even unaware of the missing feature, the return caters to social gamers seeking more intentional online connections.

Rollout and Xbox Insiders

While a precise release date isn't yet available, the feature is currently being tested by Xbox Insiders on consoles and PC. A full rollout is expected later this year. Join the Xbox Insiders program to experience the updated friend system early.