Xbox Reintroduces Friend Requests After 10 Years

Xbox has finally answered the long-standing pleas of its community by reinstating the friend request system, a feature that has been sorely missed since its absence over the past decade. Dive into the details of this exciting update to the platform.

Xbox Responds to Community Demand by Reviving Friend Requests

'We’re So Back!' Xbox Users Celebrate

Xbox is thrilled to announce the return of a beloved feature from the Xbox 360 era: friend requests. This news, shared via a blog post and on Twitter (X), marks a significant shift from the passive social system that has been in place for the last ten years.

"We’re thrilled to announce the return of friend requests," said Xbox Senior Product Manager Klarke Clayton in the official announcement. "Friends are now a two-way, invite-approved relationship, giving you more control and flexibility." This update allows Xbox users to send, accept, or decline friend requests directly from the People tab on their consoles.

Previously, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S used a "follow" system, allowing users to view each other’s activity feeds without needing approval. While this system created a more open social environment, many users longed for the control and intentionality that friend requests provided. The distinction between friends and followers was often blurred, as there was no way to filter mutual connections, leaving users with a mix of friends and casual acquaintances.

Although the friend request feature is back, the "follow" system will continue to exist for one-way connections. This means users can still follow content creators or gaming communities to stay updated on their activities without needing a reciprocal follow.

Existing friends and followers will be automatically sorted into the appropriate categories under the new system. "You’ll stay friends with people who had also added you as a friend previously and continue following anyone who hadn’t," Clayton explained.

Microsoft also emphasizes privacy with this update. New privacy and notification settings will accompany the feature’s return, allowing users to control who can send them friend requests, who can follow them, and what notifications they receive. These options can be adjusted through the Xbox settings menu.

The Xbox community has reacted with overwhelming enthusiasm on social media. Comments like "we’re so back!" reflect the joy of many users who felt the previous system was lacking. Some humorous responses highlight that some users didn’t even realize the feature was missing. While this update is particularly exciting for social gamers, it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of playing solo, where victories are often earned on one's own terms.

The exact release date for the full rollout of friend requests on Xbox has not been announced yet. However, given the high demand from fans, it’s unlikely that Microsoft will backtrack on this feature, which is currently being tested by Xbox Insiders on consoles and PC "beginning this week." More details about the "full rollout" are expected later this year, according to Xbox’s tweet.

In the meantime, gamers eager to experience the return of friend requests can join the Xbox Insiders program. Simply download the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows PC—it’s as straightforward as sending a friend request.