Say Goodbye to Your Xbox Avatars: Microsoft Is Closing the Avatar Editor App

Microsoft has made the decision to remove Xbox Avatars across all major consoles, including the Xbox Series X|S due to “low engagement” with its users in recent years. This change, which has sparked some level of debate among long-term players and Xbox fans, is due to arrive on January 9, 2025, meaning active users will only have roughly twenty-four hours from the time of writing this article to say their final farewell to their Avatars.

According to Microsoft, any cosmetics that have been purchased between November 1, 2023 and January 9, 2025 will automatically be refunded in light of the imminent closure of the Avatar Editor app on January 9th. In other words, if you’ve recently acquired a skin, item, or any form of branded cosmetic for your Avatar, then you will receive compensation from the Xbox team. This isn’t particularly unusual, given the suddenness of the situation and the backlash that comes with it, mind you.

“Microsoft is dedicated to delivering great experiences for players, including a variety of options to personalize their gaming experience with Xbox,” says Microsoft. “Due to low engagement and our shift in focus towards delivering other player experiences, the Xbox Avatar Editor app will no longer be available starting on January 9, 2025.”

Goodbye, My Friend…

Xbox Avatars have been an integral part of the Xbox Live ecosystem since 2008, with the Avatar Editor app initially launching on Xbox 360 across the globe. With all of that said, it appears that the app has lost a lot of its appeal over the years, with the revitalized version of the app on Xbox One not attracting quite nearly as many fans as its predecessor. Even still, it’s certainly a sad day for Xbox users, especially for those who’ve been with their Avatars since their infancy.