Xbox is rolling out a trio of handy customization options for its Home dashboard, allowing players to hide system apps, pin favorite titles, and even reduce the number of visible tiles. These upgrades, now available to Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead Insiders, mark Microsoft’s latest effort to streamline the user interface based on community feedback.
The Xbox Home screen serves as the gateway to games, apps, and social features, so keeping it clean and relevant is key. With this update, players can remove clutter by hiding system apps—think Store, Settings, or Guide—from the “Recently Played” list, letting game and entertainment apps take center stage. This approach echoes similar customization features seen on competing platforms, where users have grown accustomed to trimming away non-essential items.
For frequent gamers, Xbox now lets you pin up to three games or apps to the top of your list; these pins remain fixed in place even as you launch new content, ensuring quick access to your go-to experiences. This is especially useful for those juggling multiple titles or apps—whether you’re swapping between Rocket League and Discord or jumping back into Halo Infinite, your pinned items stay right where you need them.
Perhaps most notable is the upcoming “Reduce Tile Count” feature, which gives you control over how many items display on your dashboard. By slimming down the tile grid, you can create a minimalist layout that highlights only the essentials. Ideal for players who prefer a less busy interface or those using smaller screens, this option is still in refinement but is expected to join the hide and pin tools in a full release within the next few weeks.
These enhancements continue Microsoft’s pattern of user-driven design tweaks—following last year’s major dashboard redesign—and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to making Xbox feel more like your personal entertainment hub. Xbox Insider program manager Eden Marie explained that these changes are a direct response to feedback: “We heard that Home should feel more like your space. Whether it’s surfacing your favorite games or decluttering what you don’t use, this update is all about you.”
While an exact launch date for all users has yet to be announced, insiders will test the features first and provide feedback before the wider rollout. With these updates on the horizon, Xbox is poised to offer a more personalized and efficient Home experience—keeping players one click closer to their next gaming session.
