How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One

The appear offline feature is Xbox one is pretty worthless... if somebody goes to your page, it simply says "offline." When you're ACTUALLY offline, it says "last online xx hours ago," so it's super easy for people to see when you're appearing offline.

Xbox One X, 360, Wii U and 3DS :)
Anxiously awaiting: Soul Calibur VI

forthecubbies83 5 years ago#3

exe67 posted...

The appear offline feature is Xbox one is pretty worthless... if somebody goes to your page, it simply says "offline." When you're ACTUALLY offline, it says "last online xx hours ago," so it's super easy for people to see when you're appearing offline.


This. I never understood why it's like that. It should either mirror the true offline message and show "Last Online...," or they should change it to always just read "Offline" no matter what. I'd prefer the latter. I don't care if my friend was last seen on Home 6 hours ago... if they're not online, they're not online.

DRmoeller 5 years ago#4

Mine is glitched right now. When I get online no one can see me. I've tried changing it in my profile to online but nothing. I've done a hard reset too. I believe it's this preview program that I'm in that is causing this. But I'm not 100% sure.

M00M00Zero 5 years ago#5

forthecubbies83 posted...

exe67 posted...
The appear offline feature is Xbox one is pretty worthless... if somebody goes to your page, it simply says "offline." When you're ACTUALLY offline, it says "last online xx hours ago," so it's super easy for people to see when you're appearing offline.


This. I never understood why it's like that. It should either mirror the true offline message and show "Last Online...," or they should change it to always just read "Offline" no matter what. I'd prefer the latter. I don't care if my friend was last seen on Home 6 hours ago... if they're not online, they're not online.


If you set it to Offline then it just says Offline whether you're on or not

So the person doesn't know if you're on or not.......

You know....the whole point? As opposed to either knowing if you are offline or if you are online

VENOMOUS75 5 years ago#6

It's a pain. Sometimes I'll be playing game A, and people start messaging me to play games b and c when they can see I'm playing something else.

True Invisibility could prevent hurt feelings and annoyance.

"Nation will rise against nation.There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another food shortages and pestilences. "

The privacy settings on Microsoft’s consoles are robust; there’s an answer for you. “Incognito mode” does exist, so how to appear offline on Xbox One and Xbox Series?

You’ll find the option on the console’s interface or within the Xbox app for smartphones. Both methods are easy to engage.

Playing offline makes your account “invisible.” It hides your online status from your friends. In other words, your contacts won’t see a green dot next to your Xbox profile picture, so it will look like you’re offline. 

Appearing offline doesn’t influence your ability to play online on Xbox. You can join multiplayer sessions as usual. 

How to Appear Offline on Xbox?

Multiplayer gaming offers a way to interact with friends and family members from your home. Even if you’re oceans apart, you can join a multiplayer session. It’s no secret why online gaming is so appealing. 

Sometimes, though, you’re more invested in single-player games. Or, maybe, you’re not in the mood for multiplayer or talking to anyone online.

The Xbox One and the Xbox Series’ privacy settings allow you to customize who gets to see when you’re online. Let’s remember these two console families share interfaces and services. The tutorial is the same for either option.

In summary, you’ll find the relevant options on the console’s privacy or the profile menu. Otherwise, you can find it on the app.

Appear Offline on Xbox Series and Xbox One Consoles

To appear offline on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One, you can simply go to the Profile side menu and change it quickly.

This is the easiest way, and here’s the tutorial:

  1. Go to your Xbox’s home page
  2. Press the Xbox button on the controller to open the menu

    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One

  3. Go to Profile & system, all the way to the right
  4. Select your profile
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
  5. At the bottom of the new menu, select Appear online. If you already selected to appear offline, you’ll see it as “Appear offline” instead.
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
  6. Select Appear offline
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One

The process will make you appear offline to every player. It doesn’t matter if someone has you added as a friend; you’ll still be invisible to them, even if you’re playing with them.

Appear Offline to Anyone but Your Friends on Xbox

You can customize it further and decide who gets to see you when you’re online. Even more, you can customize who can talk to you, add you to their contact list, or play with you:

  1. Go to your Xbox’s home screen
  2. Press the Xbox button on the controller
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
  3. Go to Profile & System
  4. Select Settings

    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One

  5. Go to Account
  6. Select Privacy & online safety
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
  7. Select Xbox Live privacy
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
  8. Select View details & customize

    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One

  9. Select Online status & history

    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One

There’re multiple options on the new page, on a series of dropdown menus. These settings offer three options: “Everybody,” “Friends,” and “Block.” To make your profile visible only to your friends, select “Friends” on “Others can see if you’re online.”

Appear Offline through the Xbox App

There’s a third way to appear offline while playing on Xbox One or Xbox Series. The alternative is available through the Xbox app, free for Android and iPhone. 

So, first, you can download the app for your smart device, launch it, and log in with the same credentials you use on your Xbox. 

Then, here’s what you need to do:

  1. Open the app
  2. Tab your profile picture. It’s on the bottom-right of the app’s home page.
  3. Tab “Appear Offline.” It’s a button on the profile page below your profile picture and name.
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One

Tapping the button will automatically swap between offline and online. If you were online, it would remove the green dot next to your profile, so your friends will always see you as “offline.” 

Then, if you want to appear online again, you can tap the “Appear online” button. Alternatively, you can do it on the Xbox with the steps above.

Additional Privacy Options on Xbox

Microsoft offers a broad suite of privacy settings for its console users. If you’re an Xbox owner, you should check the options before playing online.

Particularly, if there’re children at home, you should take care of these settings for them. In other words, use their consoles and accounts to make gaming more private. It’s a matter of safety. 

So, go back to the Xbox Live privacy menu, and check its options thoroughly. Alternatively, you can change the configuration on your PC using a web browser: 

  1. Sign in to Xbox on this page. Use the same credentials you’re using on your console.
  2. Click your Gamertag at the top right of the screen.
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
  3. Select Xbox profile
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
  4. Go to Privacy settings.
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
  5. After selecting Privacy settings, you may have to log in with your Microsoft account. It may even ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your email or phone.
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
  6. Select “Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Windows 10 devices Online Safety.”
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
  7. Review the settings carefully and update what you want to change
  8. Click on “Submit” at the bottom to save the changes.
  9. Check the Privacy tab for other settings, and remember to click on “Submit” to save changes.
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
    How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One

For example, on the Privacy tab, you can customize who sees when you’re online.

How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One
How to join someone appearing offline Xbox One

Manage Your Children’s Privacy Options

The administrator of an Xbox Family group can manage settings for members of his family group. You would become the administrator by opening an account and checking that you’re an adult after inputting your date of birth.

Then, other people opening an account on the same console would become family members if they are underaged. 

So, children can see but not manage their settings. Instead, you can check your family settings on the web page as well: 

Go back to the Xbox’s webpage and sign in with your credentials

  1. Click your Gamertag at the top-right
  2. Select Xbox profile
  3. Select Privacy & safety and verify your account

Suppose you’re a family group manager. In that case, you’ll be able to select the Gamertag of the account you want to manage in this menu. So, select your children’s accounts, and check:

  • The “Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10 devices Online Safety” tab
  • and the Privacy tab to make relevant changes. Don’t forget to click on “Submit” to save it!

Regarding changing “Online” to “Offline” on your children’s Xbox, you’d be able to do it from their consoles while using their accounts. Alternatively, you can do it on the Privacy tab of the webpage after selecting their Gamertag. 

What does it say when someone is appearing offline on Xbox?

Yes look at the person's profile if it says offline that means they are appearing offline, if it says last seen… that means they are actually offline. Hope this helped!

Can you appear offline to one person on Xbox?

You can appear offline on an Xbox One, even if you're currently online, by making a small adjustment to your Xbox Live privacy settings. You can also customize your Xbox One's privacy settings so only certain friends can see you online, while you'll appear offline to everyone else.

How do I stop appearing offline on Xbox One?

You will see "Appearing offline" below your username at the top of the profile menu. You will appear offline to other Xbox users. If you want to appear online again, return to the Sign In menu and select your profile. Select the Appear Offline drop-down menu and select Appear Online.

Why can't I join my friend on Xbox One?

If you're having trouble joining an Xbox Live party, someone in the party might have a Network Address Translation (NAT) problem. To find out, have everyone in the party test their Xbox Live connection. Here's how: Press the Guide button  on your controller, go to settings, and then select System Settings.