Xbox to bring back friend requests after more than a decade

When the Xbox One launched, Microsoft switched up the console’s friending features to mimic a social media-style experience, allowing players to follow each other. Now it looks like Microsoft is rolling back the changes a bit, and while followers will be staying, Xbox Insiders can now trial a new Xbox friend request feature.

Friend requests are returning to Xbox

As announced on Xbox Wire, Alpha Skip-Ahead Insiders are now testing new social features, namely friend requests. Xbox says you can still follow other players, but becoming friends is now a “Two-way, invite-approved relationship, giving you more control and flexibility.”

With this new update, you’ll be able to manage friend requests from within the “People tab” on Xbox consoles, PC, and the Xbox app on mobile, where you’ll be able to send, accept, and delete requests. New privacy and notification settings give you control over who can send you friend requests or follow your account, as well as the notifications you receive from those actions.

The feature has only just rolled out to Alpha Skip-Ahead Xbox Insiders, so there’s no telling when we’ll see it arrive for all players. Last month’s Xbox update added installation improvements, new controller customization options, and more.