Having access to all-new features and updates from Xbox helps ensure that your console always runs on the latest version available and that you don’t miss out on exciting new features provided by Microsoft.
Thankfully, Xbox takes this further and even allows users access to new updates and features earlier than they would normally be released to the public through the Xbox Insider program.
But what exactly is the Xbox Insider program and how can you join and get Xbox updates and features before everyone else? Let’s find out.
What is the Xbox Insider Program?
Before looking at how you can join an Xbox Insider, you might want to learn more about the program.
Specifically, the Xbox Insider program is an application where Xbox allows its users to preview and give feedback on new Xbox features and even system updates.
Working similarly to Xbox Game Preview, Xbox Insider allows you to provide feedback and report any bugs or glitches you may experience while acting as an Xbox Insider. This gives you early access to features that will finally be fully released to the public, like joining Discord chats right from your Xbox.
Due to the nature of Early Access features and updates, Xbox Insider offers a few levels where you can decide the type of previews you’ll receive from Xbox. These levels are the following:
- Alpha level. This level allows you to receive new updates and features at their earliest point of development.
- Beta level. This tier is only available to Xbox Insiders three months or older and receives updates shortly after Alpha.
- Delta level. This level receives updates later than Beta and closer to the general release of the update or feature.
- The Omega level. This tier is open to anyone and receives previews as close to its official release as possible.
When you first join Xbox Insider, you’re placed at the Omega tier, but as you preview more early access content through Xbox Insider, you can start picking higher tier tiers and access more updates. and functions.
Some things to know before becoming an Xbox Insider
While the Xbox Insider Program can be tailored to your own requirements, there are still a few things about the program that you should be aware of before signing up:
- You can leave Xbox Insider at any time.
- Due to the early access nature of the preview program, some of the errors and crashes you experience may interfere with the operation of your Xbox system.
- Some of the tiers that allow earlier access to Xbox updates and features require you to request an Xbox invite and cannot simply be joined.
- By participating in Activities, you can earn Insider XP to enable more feature previews and updates, though these are only available sporadically with specific feature or update preview.
So while Xbox Insider does allow you to preview new features, there are still some failures to sign up that might be too intrusive to your Xbox experience, but even then, you can always adjust your Insider level or leave Xbox Insider altogether.
How to sign up for Xbox Insider and start previewing features
Now that you know what Xbox Insider is and the important aspects of the program in general, you might want to sign up for Xbox Insider and start previewing updates and features.
If you don’t already have the Xbox Insider app on Xbox, before attempting to sign up you’ll need to install the app by pressing the Xbox button and selecting the option below to Store. Then, with the store open, press the Y button and search for Xbox Insider Center.
With the Xbox Insider Center installed on your console, to sign up for Xbox Insider and start previewing early Xbox features, follow these steps:
- Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Select My games and appsfollowed by See everything.
- Highlight the tab Applications and select the Xbox Insider Center application.
- With the application open, highlight previews to view all available early access content.
- To start getting early Xbox updates and features, select Xbox update preview.
- Select Joinand then choose the tier at which you’d like to receive your early access content.
- With your tier list chosen, select Save.
With the Insider level chosen for saved updates, you will be notified that it may take a few hours for Xbox Insider benefits to be applied to your account.
Enjoy Xbox features before and when they are officially released
With Xbox Insider, you can participate, discuss, and ultimately experience the features you helped get Xbox ready to release to the public.
With features like being able to stream directly to Twitch through the Xbox guide menu with the help of Xbox Insiders, the program can enhance your enjoyment of Xbox as a platform and act as a rewarding process where you see that preview features they move from the beginning. access to the general release.