Microsoft has backtracked on changes to Xbox that would have removed the option to share captures directly to Twitter.
Earlier this month, reports hinted that an Insider build on Xbox consoles had removed the feature, meaning users would have had to upload screens to the Xbox app before sharing to Twitter from there. Fortunately, Microsoft has reversed course after fans objected, and the latest Xbox Insider update preview restores the option.
2/2 Part 2 Flight Plans - Planning on taking a new 2204 build to the Beta Ring later today with details to come - Thanks for your feedback on the Twitter share feature change we flighted in 2204 - that change is being reverted to the previous behavior from today in this new build
— Brad Rossetti (@WorkWombatman) March 30, 2022
Brad Rossetti, the Xbox Insider Program Lead, confirmed the restoration of the feature in the latest beta update on Twitter yesterday.
Sharing your gameplay natively to Twitter through your console helps avoid using your smartphone as a middle man to post captures. Nevertheless, if you want to get a tweet that is more than a few words out, typing that message out on a controller might not always be ideal, so using your smartphone is not always a bad idea.
Sony and Nintendo also allow you to post to Twitter directly on PS5 and Switch. However, Sony has now started rolling out an option for people to auto-upload their PS5 captures on their phones via the PlayStation app.
Nintendo also allows for an option just to send the captures and footage to your smartphone if you do not want to post natively – though it requires additional legwork as you need to use your phone to scan a QR code that appears on the console, and the process itself is a bit awkward. A third-party app called SwitchBuddy helps alleviate that issue if you want to use your smartphone.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.