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 shift from the "follow" system implemented a decade ago. This welcome change allows for more controlled and intentional friendships within the Xbox community.

A Two-Way Street: More Control, More Flexibility

Xbox Senior Product Manager Klarke Clayton announced the return, emphasizing the renewed two-way, invite-based friendship system. Users can now send, accept, or decline friend requests via the People tab on their consoles, offering greater control over online connections.

The previous "follow" system, while fostering an open social environment, lacked the direct interaction and clarity of friend requests. The line between casual follower and genuine friend often blurred, leading to confusion and a less personalized experience.

The "follow" feature remains, enabling one-way connections for following content creators or communities without requiring mutual approval. Existing friends and followers will be automatically categorized under the new system.

Privacy and Customization at the Forefront

Microsoft prioritizes user privacy. The updated system introduces enhanced privacy and notification settings, allowing users to manage who can send friend requests, who can follow them, and which notifications they receive. These settings are accessible through the Xbox settings menu.

Overwhelmingly Positive Reception

The announcement has been met with enthusiastic responses on social media. Players celebrate the return, highlighting the frustrations of the previous system's overwhelming and unfiltered follower influx. Some users even humorously admitted they hadn't realized the feature was missing!

Rollout and Insider Access

While a precise release date for the full rollout is pending, Xbox Insiders on consoles and PC are currently testing the feature. Xbox's tweet promises further details on the full release later this year. Join the Xbox Insiders program to experience the return of friend requests early. Download the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows PC.