Xbox to Discontinue Avatar Editor App and Issue Refunds in January

Over the weekend, Xbox quietly updated its support page with news that they will be pulling the plug on the Avatar Editor app from their consoles and PCs. This means that starting January 9, 2025, the avatars introduced back in 2018 will no longer be supported.

The news implies that users won’t be able to access their Xbox Avatars or any purchased items related to them. However, any avatars bought between November 1, 2023, and January 9, 2025, will be eligible for refunds. This decision signals the end of an era for Xbox’s more detailed and expressive avatars that were brought in with the 2018 update, designed to be more elaborate than those available during the Xbox 360 era.

Interestingly, Xbox is choosing to keep the original, simpler avatars in play. These classic avatars will continue to operate in supported Xbox 360 games and can still be accessed via the Xbox Original Avatars app.

You can’t help but notice that avatars in general have been fading into the background, and Xbox confirms this sentiment in its FAQ. They’ve attributed this move to “low engagement” and a strategic pivot toward different player experiences. Players aren’t completely left in the lurch, though; personalization options like dynamic backgrounds and profile color choices remain available.

Looking forward, Xbox seems to be shifting gears with exciting projects in the pipeline, such as a dedicated handheld device and the next generation of consoles already in development.

If you have any insider tips or just want to share something interesting, Kat Bailey, IGN’s News Director and co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat, can be reached via DM at @the_katbot.