Xbox has answered the call of gamers worldwide by reintroducing a beloved feature that disappeared over a decade ago: friend requests. This update comes after years of community feedback highlighting the desire for a more intentional social connection system. Previously, Xbox relied on a "follow" model similar to social media platforms, allowing users to passively view others' activities. While functional, this approach lacked the personal touch and control that friend requests provide.

According to Xbox Senior Product Manager Klarke Clayton, the return of friend requests brings back the ability to send, accept, or decline invitations directly through the People tab on Xbox consoles. "Friends are now a two-way, invite-approved relationship," Clayton explained, emphasizing greater user control. This marks a significant shift from the previous system, which blurred the lines between casual followers and true friends.

Existing users will find comfort in knowing that their current friendships and follow relationships will remain intact under the new system. Those who were already friends will stay connected, while followers will retain their status unless upgraded to friends. Privacy remains paramount, with new customizable settings allowing users to manage who can send friend requests, follow them, and what types of notifications they receive.

The reintroduction of friend requests has sparked joy across social media platforms, with users celebrating the return of a feature they didn’t realize they missed until now. While the full rollout isn’t scheduled yet, Xbox Insiders are already testing the feature on both consoles and PCs. Fans eagerly await further announcements regarding its global launch later this year.