Xbox app gets new messaging UI and more on iOS and Android

Laurent Giret

Following the release of the Xbox One 1905 update last week, Microsoft is updating its Xbox apps for iOS and Android today. The updates keep up with the latest Xbox Live Messaging improvements now available on Xbox One on Windows 10. First of all, the new mobile apps now have the same “Message Requests” feature that puts Xbox Live messages from strangers in a separate section.

The messaging experience has also been updated with a new UI, improved group messaging functionality and faster performance. However, the Contacts section still doesn’t display if your online friends are on Xbox, PC or mobile, something that is now visible on Xbox One and the new Xbox Game Bar on Windows 10.

Here are the full release notes for iOS and Android:

This update kicks off a series of improvements that we’re making to messaging in the Xbox Mobile App!

In this update we’ve added:
-New messaging UI that’s faster and more performant
-Improved group messaging functionality
-Improved spam control in your inbox with the addition of ‘Message Requests’

We’ve also made numerous bug fixes and stability improvements based on your feedback. Please continue to send us feedback as we roll out these new changes over the coming months!

The Xbox mobile apps could soon play a bigger role as Microsoft prepares to launch public trials for its Project xCloud game streaming service. Microsoft never brought Xbox One game streaming to mobile devices (something that the Windows 10 Xbox app does support), but we expect Project xCloud to either leverage the existing Xbox mobile apps, or have its own dedicated apps on iOS and Android. We’ll hopefully learn more about Microsoft’s plans during the company’s E3 press briefing on June 9.

‎Xbox
‎Xbox
Price: Free
Xbox
Xbox
Price: Free