Xbox Revives Friend Requests After a Decade-Long Absence
Responding to years of player requests, Xbox has reinstated the classic friend request system. This highly anticipated feature returns after a ten-year hiatus, marking a significant change to the platform's social interaction.
A Two-Way Street: More Control, More Connection
Xbox's announcement, shared via blog and Twitter (X), confirms the return of the familiar friend request functionality. "We're thrilled to announce the return of friend requests," stated Xbox Senior Product Manager Klarke Clayton. "Friends are now a two-way, invite-approved relationship, giving you more control and flexibility." This means users can once again send, accept, or decline friend requests via the console's People tab.
The previous "follow" system, implemented on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, allowed users to see each other's activity without mutual consent. While fostering an open environment, it lacked the control and clarity of friend requests. The distinction between "friends" and "followers" was often unclear, leading to confusion.
The "follow" feature remains, enabling one-way connections for following content creators or communities. Existing friends and followers will be automatically categorized under the new system. Clayton clarified, "You’ll stay friends with people who had also added you as a friend previously and continue following anyone who hadn’t."
Privacy and Customization
Microsoft emphasizes user privacy. New 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.
Positive Reception and Anticipation
The news has been met with enthusiastic responses on social media. Players are celebrating the return of a feature many had missed, highlighting the limitations of the previous follower-based system. Some users humorously admitted they weren't even aware the feature was gone!
While the friend request system caters to social gamers, Xbox acknowledges the appeal of solo play. The company emphasizes that the update doesn't diminish the enjoyment of playing independently.
A precise release date for the full rollout hasn't been announced, but Xbox Insiders on consoles and PC are currently testing the feature. A full release is expected later this year. Join the Xbox Insiders program to experience the revived friend request system early.
