Xbox Insiders Get Rotating Backgrounds, Guide Options
New console personalization features began rolling out to Xbox Insiders on November 12, 2026, with broader access planned over time.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Interior Decorating
Live Poll
Would you use rotating backgrounds on your game console?
Xbox Insiders began receiving new console personalization features on November 12, 2026, including rotating Home backgrounds and a choice of which side of the screen the Guide opens on. Microsoft plans to extend the features to more Xbox Insiders and players over time.
Why it matters
The update gives players more control over how their Xbox interface looks and behaves across sessions and controllers. Early access through the Xbox Insider Program lets Microsoft test the features before wider release.
The features were first released as an Insider preview starting November 12, 2026, with saved backgrounds remaining available even when their controller is disconnected. The Xbox Wireless Controller X25 Special Edition includes an exclusive backdrop, and Microsoft has not said when the full feature set will reach non-Insider players.
The players
Xbox Insider Program
The Xbox Insider Program is Microsoft's early-access initiative that lets members try new console features before general release.
The details
Users can save individual dynamic backgrounds as favorites by pressing X, which places them in a new Favorites category. Selecting Shuffle at the start of a background category changes the backdrop each time the user signs in, and the Guide side setting is found at Settings > General > Personalization > Guide.
Timeline
November 12, 2026: Xbox Insiders begin receiving the new personalization features.
Over time: Features expected to reach more Xbox Insiders and players.
Culture Shift
The feature set reflects a broader movement toward customizable gaming interfaces, in which players expect their home screens and controllers to express personal taste. Microsoft's staged Insider rollout mirrors how the Xbox Insider Program has tested changes before extending them to the full player base.
Players who join the Xbox Insider Program can change their Home background and Guide placement now, and can save favorite dynamic backdrops that stay available even when a controller disconnects. Other players will need to wait for the features to reach them over time.
The takeaway
Customizing your console's look is now easier, so set a favorite background and try the Guide placement that suits how you play. Joining the Xbox Insider Program is the way to get these features first.
Further reading
For more ideas on personalizing a space to suit your taste, explore Interior Decorating.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GAMES.
Live Poll
Would you use rotating backgrounds on your game console?
