Summary
Microsoft will ban the use of unauthorized third-party accessories onXboxstarting on August 03, 2025. This decision may prove controversial amongXboxplayers, considering that some gamers often use unlicensed controllers, headsets, and other gadgets to play.
As 2023 goes on, Xbox is going through significant changes. For example, Xbox Game Pass is stronger than ever with releases likeStarfield, whichgave Xbox Series X/S sales a huge boost of 76%, and Microsoft was able to acquire Activision Blizzard King after over a year of battles in court. Now, Microsoft seems to be gearing up to change how it deals with unlicensed products.
Microsoft to Ban Unauthorized Xbox Accessories In November
Up until now, gamers could use unauthorized accessories on Xbox just fine, but many gamers are now seeing messages affirming that the “connected accessory is not authorized” when using these devices. The message reveals that, while gamers may still use their unlicensed controllers for now, they will no longer be able to on November 12 onwards due to “error 0x82d60002.” The official reason given by the company is that unauthorized hardware compromises the gamer’s experience, therefore, it’ll be blocked.
While some gamers may be unhappy with this decision, most of thebest wireless gaming headsetsand controllers are licensed products that will not be affected by this change. Also,as reported by Windows Central, Microsoft is expanding its program for approved third-party wireless Xbox controllers, as most of its authorized third-party joysticks are wired at the moment.
Other Recent Xbox Changes
These are not the only recent changes announced by Microsoft, though, asthe latest console update for Xboxgave gamers access to a few new features. Now, Xbox gamers can import game captures to Clipchamp to edit them and share them on social media, for example. Other changes of the update were related to keyboard mappings and button inputs, improving the options of people using the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 or an Xbox Adaptive Controller.
Another significant change wasthe increase in Xbox Series S price in Brazil. The console, which could be purchased for around R$2,500 in Brazilian Real before (around $500) will now cost R$3,599 (around $710), which is a hefty price increase that upset some gamers in the country. The controversial decision may undervalue the console by making it pointless to buy a Series S when the price difference between it and the Series X is not so big, with the latter being far more powerful hardware.
Xbox Series S
Released alongside the Xbox Series X, the Xbox Series S is Microsoft’s budget option for the ninth console generation. Designed exclusively for digital gaming, the Series S can run the same games as the Series X, albeit at a potentially lower resolution and frame rate.
Xbox Series X
Microsoft’s ninth-generation console, the Xbox Series X is a powerful machine that can support 4K resolution and 60 fps, depending on the game. Released alongside the Xbox Series S, the Series X has a Custom AMD Zen 2 CPU, a Custom RDNA 2 GPU, and 16 GB of RAM.
