Xbox Insiders Get Enhanced Control Over Console Experience with New Updates
REDMOND, WA – August 19, 2026 – Xbox Insiders are receiving a suite of new console updates today, offering players unprecedented control over their home screen, local game save management, and wishlists. These enhancements, rolling out initially to Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha members, with some features immediately available to all, aim to refine the user experience and celebrate Xbox’s rich history.
One of the most anticipated features empowers users to tailor their Home experience. Players can now actively manage the "Recent Games and Apps" list, removing any unwanted items, including the "Play History" tile, to maintain a personalized and clutter-free dashboard.
Further enriching the visual experience, a new immersive background mode allows dynamic or custom backgrounds to truly shine. A simple press of the right thumbstick button from anywhere on Home will now fade away the user interface, letting the background take center stage. The UI can be instantly recalled with any button press.
Greater Control Over Local Game Saves
Addressing a common player concern, Xbox is introducing more granular control over local game save storage. While game saves are automatically backed up to the Xbox network, local storage can still fill up, potentially preventing new game progress from being saved.
Today’s update provides a new interface for viewing, sorting, and deleting local game saves that are not currently in use. This empowers players to easily free up space for their active titles. Whether opting to delete a single large save file or clearing all unused local saves at once, users now have enhanced visibility and control over their console’s storage. This feature can be accessed via Settings > System > Storage > Manage local game saves or directly if a "not enough space" notification appears. Xbox assures players that their latest saves remain securely backed up to the Xbox network and will seamlessly sync upon launching a game.
Dive Deeper into Your Xbox Profile Badges
Profile badges tell a unique story of a player’s Xbox journey, encompassing achievements, milestones, and experiences. With the growing number of badges over the years, understanding their significance has become increasingly challenging.
The new update allows users to view detailed information for every badge displayed on a profile. This includes high-resolution artwork and precise details about when and how each badge was unlocked. This feature enhances the experience of both personal badge collections and exploring other players’ profiles, bringing the context and narratives behind these digital accolades to life.
Celebrating Xbox History with a New "Day One" Badge
In a nod to Xbox’s 25-year history, a special commemorative badge is being introduced. On November 22, 2013, the Xbox One launched, marking a significant moment in console gaming. Many players earned the coveted "Day One" achievement on that day. To honor these early adopters, a new "Day One" profile badge will be awarded to those who unlocked the original achievement, recognizing their presence at the dawn of a new gaming generation.
Streamlined Wishlist Management
Keeping wishlists organized is also becoming easier. Purchased games will now automatically be removed from a player’s wishlist, reducing manual management and allowing more time for actual gameplay.
Providing Feedback and Joining the Xbox Insider Program
Xbox is actively encouraging users to provide feedback on these new features. Insiders can visit aka.ms/XBOXplayervoice to share their thoughts. For support, the Xbox Insider subreddit (reddit.com/r/xboxinsiders) is available, staffed by official Xbox personnel, moderators, and fellow Insiders.
For those not yet part of the program who wish to contribute to the future of Xbox and gain early access to new features, joining the Xbox Insider Program is simple. The Xbox Insider Hub can be downloaded for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. Further information and updates can be found on Twitter at @XBOXInsider and on the Xbox Wire blog.
