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To add someone in the Xbox app, sign in to the Microsoft account linked to your Xbox profile, search for the person’s exact Xbox gamertag, open the right profile, and select Add friend. Check your friends or social area afterward to see whether the connection is active or a request is still pending. Search and Friends/Social placement can vary by app version and device.
Before you start
- Sign in to the Microsoft account associated with the Xbox profile you want to use.
- Ask for the person’s current Xbox gamertag, including its spelling, spaces, and any numbers or suffix. A name from Discord, Steam, PlayStation, or a game itself may not be their Xbox gamertag.
- Use the Xbox mobile app on iOS or Android, or the Xbox app for Windows. The Xbox PC app lists Windows 10/11 version 22H2 or higher as a requirement on its official PC app page.
An Xbox friend connection is separate from adding someone inside a particular game, adding them as a Microsoft Family member, or adding them to another messaging service.
Add a friend in the Xbox mobile app
- Open the Xbox app on your phone or tablet and sign in.
- Tap the Search icon, or open the Friends or Social area. The location of these controls can change with the app layout.
- Enter the person’s exact Xbox gamertag.
- Choose the profile that matches the gamertag you were given. Check carefully if search results show similar names.
- Tap Add friend. If a confirmation or relationship option appears, follow the prompt to submit it.
- Return to the Friends or Social area and check the profile or list for the updated status.
Xbox’s mobile-app support hub covers Xbox mobile apps. The exact screen labels may differ across operating systems, app versions, and staged interface updates.
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Add a friend in the Xbox app for Windows
- Open the Xbox app in Windows and sign in to the correct account.
- Use the app’s search field or open its Friends/Social area.
- Search for the exact gamertag, then select the matching profile.
- Select Add friend and complete any confirmation shown.
- Check the profile or friends area to see whether the relationship has updated.
The steps are also described in a Microsoft-hosted community answer about adding someone in the Xbox app; it is not a guarantee that every Windows app version uses identical screen placement. Xbox says social and friend management is available across console, Windows, mobile, and xbox.com/play.
#1 Best Overall
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Add someone from Xbox Game Bar on PC
- Press Windows key + G to open Xbox Game Bar.
- Open the Xbox Social widget. If it is not visible, look through the widget menu.
- Search the gamertag, open the correct profile, and select Add friend.
This is an alternative when you are already on a Windows PC; the widget may be hidden, unavailable, or arranged differently. Microsoft-hosted community guidance describes this route in its Xbox Game Bar Social discussion.
Check whether the friend request worked
Open the person’s profile or your Friends/Social area and look for an updated relationship status, such as Friends, or a pending request. If the profile does not appear as an active friend immediately, refresh the app or close and reopen it. You can also sign out and back in if the status remains stale.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
Xbox’s November 2024 update restored friend requests and explained that existing connections were preserved: people who had also added you remained friends, while people who had not reciprocated continued as followers. The distinction matters: a sent request or follower connection is not necessarily the same as a mutually accepted friendship. Some interactions may also require the other player to add you back.
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If you can’t find the person or Add friend is missing
- Recheck the gamertag. Confirm the current spelling, spaces, numbers, and suffix with the player. A similar result can belong to someone else.
- Confirm it is an Xbox gamertag. A game-specific username or another platform’s display name may not identify their Xbox profile.
- Check which Microsoft account is signed in. If you use multiple accounts, switch to the one connected to the Xbox identity you intend to use.
- Try another Xbox surface. Search in the mobile app, Windows app, console People area, or Xbox web experience. Controls and labels may differ. Xbox’s add-friends support topic is another official reference.
- Check whether either player is blocked. Xbox maintains separate block and mute controls; see its block or mute guidance.
- Review privacy and family settings. Account settings can restrict visibility, communication, or friend interactions. Xbox explains how to manage them in its privacy and online-safety guide. A child account’s restrictions are not bypassed by sending a friend request.
- Refresh and retry. Update the app, restart it, and try again. If the problem affects multiple people or requests, a temporary Xbox service issue may be responsible; check service status before changing account settings.
- Ask the other player to search for you. They can try adding your gamertag from their own account and device.
Xbox friends, in-game friends, and cross-play
Xbox social connections can link people using PC, console, and mobile, but being Xbox friends does not by itself enable multiplayer. The game must support the relevant multiplayer and cross-play combination, and its edition, account, subscription, parental controls, or network requirements may also apply. The Xbox PC app advertises chatting with friends on PC, console, and mobile on its app page.
Rank #3
- PLAY LIKE A PRO — The XBOX Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 features over 30 ways to play like a pro. Designed in collaboration with pro-level players, it puts exceptional performance, customization, and durability where it matters most.
- ADJUSTABLE-TENSION THUMBSTICKS — Fine-tune your aim with thumbsticks that let you adjust resistance for improved accuracy, consistency, and control in every match.
- SHORTER HAIR TRIGGER LOCKS — Fire faster and react quicker with three-step hair trigger locks that reduce pull distance for rapid input in competitive gameplay.
- INTERCHANGEABLE COMPONENTS — Swap thumbstick toppers, D-pads, and paddles to tailor your controller to your preferred gaming style. Includes 6 thumbsticks, 4 paddles, 2 D-pads, carrying case, and charging dock.
- SAVE AND SWITCH PROFILES — Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly with the dedicated Profile button. Even pick which color the XBOX button lights up as.
Games vary in how they use Xbox friends. Some show Xbox connections automatically; others require a separate in-game friend request or a linked publisher account, such as Epic, Activision, EA, Ubisoft, or Mojang. A party or game-session invite may be a further step after both players are connected.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Rank #4
- XBOX ELITE WIRELESS CONTROLLER SERIES 2: Play like a pro with adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grip, and shorter hair trigger locks..Audio : 3.5mm stereo headset jack. Also compatible with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter and all other Xbox controller accessories made by Microsoft.
- CORE ESSENTIALS: Includes just the components you need to unleash your best game. Additional components sold separately for even more customization with the Complete Component Pack.
- LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION: Exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox Accessories app—even pick which color the Xbox button lights up with.*
- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
- EXTENDED GAMEPLAY: Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of battery life and refined components that are built to last.*
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