Xbox Two-Way friend requests are back from the 360 era

Xbox is reintroducing a highly requested feature that has been missing since the Xbox 360 era. After over a decade, the familiar two-way friend request system is making a comeback. This change is set to enhance the social experience on Xbox by allowing users to send, accept, and manage friend requests more intuitively with familiarity.

Since the launch of the Xbox One in 2013, Xbox has utilized a system that resembles social media platforms like X(Formerly known as Twitter). Users can follow one another without requiring approval. This system allowed for a broad, one-way connection model where users could follow anyone, but the absence of a two-way friend request option led to confusion. Friendships were not mutual, as followers were not notified if someone followed them while they were offline. This model resulted in a lack of clarity in managing social connections on the platform.

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The return of Two-Way friend requests

Microsoft has announced that it will be reintroducing the two-way friend request system. This feature will be available to Xbox Insiders, starting in mid-September 2024. The new system will restore the straightforward friend requests that were a hallmark of the Xbox 360 era. Users will once again be able to send, receive, and manage friend requests, creating a more transparent and interactive social environment. This update aims to address long-standing user feedback and improve the overall social experience on Xbox.

With the return of two-way friend requests, users will find several new features designed to enhance privacy and control. The friend request system will be integrated into the People tab, where users can easily manage their connections. Existing followers and friends will be updated automatically to reflect the new system. Additionally, new privacy settings will be introduced, allowing users to control who can send friend requests and follow them. The steps to access this setting will be as follows:

1. Open settings
2. Navigate to the “Account” tab
3. Open “Privacy & Online Safety
4. Xbox Privacy
5. View Details & Customize
6. Friends, Followers & Clubs

These new privacy options include toggles to enable or disable friend requests and follows, as well as a dropdown menu for controlling the visibility of friends and followers lists. You will also be able to update your notification preferences on Xbox consoles from Settings > Preferences > Notifications.

The reintroduction of two-way friend requests is a significant shift in Xbox’s social connectivity approach. While the feature is initially available to Xbox Insiders, there is a strong likelihood that it will be rolled out more broadly in the future. The move is expected to resolve many of the issues users have faced with the current follower system and bring back a familiar and effective way to manage social connections on Xbox.