Xbox Revives Friend Requests: A Decade-Long Wait Ends
Xbox has finally reinstated the much-missed friend request system, ending a ten-year absence and delighting countless gamers. This article details the return of this crucial social feature.
Xbox Answers Player Pleas
A Joyful Return for Xbox Users
Xbox's announcement of friend requests' return, shared via blog and X (formerly Twitter), marks a significant shift from the decade-long "follow" system.
"We're thrilled to bring back friend requests," stated Xbox Senior Product Manager Klarke Clayton. "Friendships are now mutual, invite-based, offering greater control and flexibility." Users can now send, accept, or decline friend requests via the console's People tab.
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 caused confusion and a lack of meaningful connection filtering.
The "follow" function remains for one-way connections, allowing users to track content creators or communities without reciprocal action.
Existing friends and followers will be automatically categorized under the new system. Clayton clarified, "Those who were mutual friends will remain so, and existing followers will continue to be followed."
Microsoft prioritizes user privacy. Enhanced privacy and notification settings accompany the update, allowing users to control friend requests, follower requests, and notifications within the Xbox settings menu.
Social media erupted with positive feedback, with users celebrating the return and highlighting the previous system's flaws. Some players humorously admitted they weren't even aware of the feature's absence.
While the update benefits social players, solo gaming remains equally enjoyable.
A precise release date is pending, but given the enthusiastic response, a full rollout is expected later this year. Xbox Insiders on consoles and PC are currently testing the feature. Further details are promised soon.
Join the Xbox Insiders program to experience the friend request revival early. Download the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows PC.
