Xbox gamers can no longer directly share screenshots and gameplay via Twitter
Microsoft has removed the ability to upload screenshots and gameplay clips from an Xbox console to Twitter. This function is also no longer available via the Xbox Game Bar on Windows. This may have something to do with the Twitter API paywall.
Until recently, gamers could share clips and screenshots on Twitter directly from the Xbox menu or via the Game Bar, but now the official confirms Xbox account on Twitter that this feature has been removed. It should still be possible to upload gameplay to Twitter via the Xbox app on Android and iOS, as the mobile app can access the library of screenshots and clips via a Microsoft account. The console giant does not reveal why the feature was suddenly removed.
According to, among others Polygon and Forbes journalist Paul Tassi this most likely has to do with the paywall for the Twitter application programming interface. External ecosystems need this API to communicate with the Twitter system and therefore to publish their own content directly on the platform. Since the end of March, companies have had to pay for access to the API. Microsoft has not responded to the suggestion that a lack of such an API subscription is the reason the feature will no longer be available. This week it was also announced that the Xbox owner would remove Twitter from its advertising tool, which was also linked to Twitter’s new API model.
An entry-level subscription to the Twitter API costs $100 per month, but this only allows for a limited number of possible tweets. It is not publicly known how much an Enterprise subscription costs, although prior to its introduction, various sources discussed a figure of more than $40,000 per month. This would be the cheapest possible option, which would reportedly not be sufficient for a company like Microsoft.
We have had to disable the ability to share game uploads to Twitter directly from the console and Game Bar on Windows. You can still share your favorite moments to Twitter via the Xbox app for Android and iOS.
— Xbox (@Xbox) April 20, 2023