Xbox Friend Feature Restored After 10-Year Hiatus

Xbox has answered the prayers of many gamers by reinstating the friend request system. Read on to learn more about this sorely missed feature’s return to the platform.

Xbox Addresses Longstanding Community Demand for Friend Requests‘We’re So Back!’ Xbox Users Exclaim

Xbox is bringing back a long-requested feature from the Xbox 360 era: friend requests. Announced via a blog post and on Twitter (X) earlier today, this news marks a departure from the more passive social system that has been in place for the past decade.

"We’re thrilled to announce the return of friend requests," exclaimed Xbox Senior Product Manager Klarke Clayton in their official announcement. "Friends are now a two-way, invite-approved relationship, giving you more control and flexibility." This means that Xbox users will once again have the ability to send, accept, or decline friend requests through the People tab on their consoles.

Previously, the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S adopted a "follow" system, where users could see each other’s activity feeds without explicit approval. While this facilitated a more open social environment, many missed the control and intentionality associated with friend requests. Although the system distinguished between friends and followers, the distinction was often unclear with no way to filter actual mutual connections, blurring the lines between friends and casual acquaintances.

While the friend requests return, the "follow" feature will still exist for one-way connections. With this, users can follow content creators or gaming communities and stay updated on their activities without needing the reciprocal follow back.

Existing friends and followers will also be automatically converted to the appropriate category 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," clarified Clayton.

Moreover, privacy remains a priority for Microsoft. The feature’s return will be accompanied by new privacy and notification settings. Users will have the ability to control who can send them friend requests, who can follow them, and which notifications they can receive. These settings will be accessible through the Xbox settings menu.

The return of friend requests has been met with an avalanche of positive reactions on social media. Users are rejoicing with comments like "we’re so back!" and are quick to point out the absurdity of the previous system, which left them inundated with followers without so much as a notification.

There is a humorous undercurrent to some reactions, as some users didn’t even realize that the feature was ever missing. While this system appeals more to social players looking to build online connections, it doesn’t diminish the fun of playing solo. After all, sometimes the best victories are earned on your own terms.

The exact release date for the broader rollout of friend requests on Xbox hasn’t been announced yet. However, Given the overwhelming demand from fans, it’s highly unlikely that Microsoft would backtrack on this prominent feature, especially now that it’s currently being tested by Xbox Insiders on consoles and PC "beginning this week." According to Xbox’s tweet, we can expect more details about the "full rollout" later this year.

In the meantime, you can join the Xbox Insiders program and be among the first to experience the feature’s anticipated comeback. Simply download the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows PC—it’s as easy as sending a friend request.