Friend Requests Are Back for All Xbox Users

Microsoft has officially brought back friends requests on the Xbox network yesterday. Following some testing with Xbox Insiders, friend requests are now available on Xbox consoles, the Xbox app for PC, the Xbox mobile apps, and the Xbox Cloud Gaming web app.

If friend requests were core to the social experience on Xbox 360, Microsoft introduced a new asymmetric follow system on the Xbox One where gamers could follow anyone on Xbox Live (now rebranded to “Xbox network”) and become “friends” with people who follow them back.

The new social experience on the Xbox network makes it still possible to follow or being followed by other gamers, but it now differentiates “followers” from “friends.” People who already follow each other will automatically become friends on Xbox. However, gamers who want to connect with others can now either use the existing follow system, which is a one-way connection to see public updates, or send a friend request.

This update is now available across Console, PC, Cloud, and Mobile! https://t.co/12Ae0NEwsY

— Stein (@steinekin) November 7, 2024

On Xbox consoles, Friend requests are now visible from the People tab on the Xbox hub. Gamers can also choose if others can send them friend requests or follow them on the Xbox network.

Overall, this new Xbox social experience seems to be better than than the previous system inspired by social media platforms. And the Xbox network remains lackluster on the “social” front as many features such as the news feed or the Discord-like clubs are still missing on PC, mobile, or the web.