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Yes. Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family preview ended on August 15, 2023, according to a contemporaneous report quoting the company. Xbox’s Ireland page also confirms that the preview has ended there. That is the status of a regional test—not proof that a family plan was permanently canceled worldwide or that no replacement is available in any market today.
When did the Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family preview end?
Windows Central reported on July 14, 2023, that Microsoft said the preview would close on August 15, 2023: Windows Central’s report. Xbox’s official Ireland page confirms that the preview has ended in that region, but does not specify the closure date: Xbox Ireland’s Friends & Family page. The exact date is therefore supported by the contemporaneous report of Microsoft’s statement; the official page independently confirms ended status only for Ireland.
What was the Friends & Family test?
It was a Game Pass Ultimate sharing preview, first offered to Xbox Insiders in Colombia and Ireland on August 4, 2022. The subscriber could invite up to four other people, for five accounts total. Each person used an individual account to access shared Ultimate benefits, and participants had to live in the same country as the subscriber. The invitees did not all need to be Insiders. Xbox Wire’s launch announcement described the offer this way: “This makes it even easier to play the best Game Pass games with friends and family across console, PC, and cloud by enabling you to add up to four people to your subscription, all with their own unique access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate games, content, and benefits.”
Microsoft said members could play across console, PC and cloud, including simultaneously on multiple devices and in the same game. Cloud access depended on country availability; the announcement did not make that benefit universal.
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![Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Cloud Gaming Devices [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bMCG9v4vL._SL160_.jpg)
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
How the preview expanded
On February 21, 2023, Microsoft added six countries to Colombia and Ireland: Chile, Hungary, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa and Sweden. The announcement again described sharing with up to five people in a group. Xbox Wire’s expansion announcement documents the added markets. This limited rollout is why the preview should not be treated as a worldwide subscription plan.
What happened to converted subscription time?
When the primary subscriber joined the preview, Microsoft converted remaining subscription time into preview-plan time. Its example was that one full month of Game Pass Ultimate became 18 days on the preview plan. Microsoft said the conversion was final until the new membership expired. That was a historical conversion rule for joining the test, not a current offer or price. The launch announcement and the expansion announcement describe the conversion.
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- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
Is there an Xbox Game Pass family plan now?
The available status evidence does not establish whether Microsoft offers a replacement family plan worldwide today. The Ireland page confirms the old preview has ended in Ireland, but it does not settle current availability in other countries or whether another plan has launched. Check Xbox’s official subscription information for your country before making a decision; do not assume the end of this test proves that every current or future family-sharing option is unavailable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Game Pass Core a replacement?
No such replacement is established by Microsoft’s announcement. Game Pass Core was announced separately as the evolution of Xbox Live Gold; the announcement does not describe it as a replacement for Friends & Family account sharing. Xbox Wire’s Game Pass Core announcement covers that separate change.
Quick Recap
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- DISCOVER 50+ GAMES — Explore a curated library of more than 50 games playable across XBOX consoles, PC, and supported devices, with new favorites ready to discover.
- PLAY ACROSS YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES — Enjoy included games across supported XBOX consoles, PC, and other compatible devices for more ways to play wherever you are.
- PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE — Connect with friends and communities with online console multiplayer included with XBOX Game Pass Essential.
- STREAM WITH XBOX CLOUD GAMING — Enjoy up to 5 hours of cloud playtime per month and stream supported games to compatible devices with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
- EARN REWARDS WHILE YOU PLAY — Earn Rewards points by playing games, completing eligible activities, and shopping in the Store with your XBOX Game Pass membership.
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- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
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- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Rank #3
- GAME PASS ULTIMATE: Play new games on day one, and enjoy hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud. Game Pass Ultimate also includes online console multiplayer, EA Play, and other great member benefits.
- SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: From fast-paced action and adventure to timeless classics, family-friendly games, innovative indie titles, brain-teasing puzzles, immersive roleplaying adventures, and intense shooters. Dive into a world where every gamer can find their next favorite game.
- NEW GAMES ON DAY ONE: Enjoy incredible new games on day one from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard, and more. Play The Outer Worlds 2, NINJA GAIDEN 4, and High on Life 2 as soon as they are released.
- ONLINE CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER: Tap into the heart of the Xbox community and join millions of players ready to play together. Online console multiplayer is included with Game Pass Ultimate.
- EA PLAY MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: Jump into Battlefield, STAR WARS, and other great game franchises with EA Play. Included at no extra cost, members get access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games.
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