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.
Xbox Responds to Player Feedback
A Joyful Reunion for Xbox Gamers
Xbox's announcement, shared via blog and X (formerly Twitter), marks a significant shift from the "follow" system implemented on Xbox One and Series X|S.
"We're thrilled to bring back friend requests," stated Xbox Senior Product Manager Klarke Clayton. "Friendships are now mutual, offering greater control and flexibility." The People tab on consoles will once again facilitate sending, accepting, and rejecting friend requests.
The previous "follow" system, while fostering an open social environment, lacked the control and intentionality of friend requests. The blurred lines between friends and followers often led to confusion and an overwhelming number of unwanted connections.
The "follow" feature will remain 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. Clayton confirmed that mutual friendships will be preserved, and existing follows will continue.
Microsoft prioritizes user privacy. Enhanced privacy and notification settings will accompany the friend request update, allowing users to control who can send requests, who can follow them, and which notifications they receive. These settings will be accessible within the Xbox settings menu.
The announcement has been met with enthusiastic online responses. Users celebrate the return, highlighting the frustrations of the previous system's lack of control over follower notifications. Some players even humorously admitted they were unaware of the feature's absence.
While this caters to social gamers, the option to play solo remains. Victory on your own terms is still a rewarding experience.
A precise release date for the full rollout hasn't been announced. However, given the strong player demand and current testing with 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 updated feature early. Download the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows PC.
