Editor’s Note: We’ve updated some of the information presented in the article below. While this post reflects what was accurate at the time of publication, updated information related to gaining access to Preview Beta can be found here.

The Xbox Insider Program is growing, and with that growth comes exciting new opportunities. Alongside our continual efforts to hear all feedback shared by the Xbox Insider community, we’re now simplifying entry into the Xbox One Update Preview rings and partnering with 1st and 3rd party studios to provide Xbox Insiders with early access to Alpha and closed Beta playtests of Xbox Live-enabled games on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. This means Xbox gamers will now be able to easily opt into the Xbox Insider program and gain earlier access to the latest system updates and flighted games!

Xbox One Update Preview Flights

As the Xbox Insider Program has evolved to enable new and better experiences, so have the Xbox One Update Preview rings. We previously increased the number of rings and changed the names of the rings that provide Xbox Insider community members with a preview of updates. These changes help the development team by providing more in-depth, critical testing data, which they use to then update and refine features based on fan feedback, ensuring optimal user experiences when system updates reach general availability.

One of our key goals since creating the Xbox Insider Program has been ensuring interested Xbox users can provide valuable feedback on system updates before they are broadly released. We’ve enjoyed seeing that you, our community, share that same goal. Many of you – especially in Ring 3 and Ring 4 – have expressed interest in the opportunity to share feedback earlier in the preview process. As a result of this feedback, starting today we’re better recognizing your participation and dedication by activating user-selected ring shifts – available for those who have reached certain Xbox Insider XP and tenure milestones – for fans to enroll in previously “closed” rings.

To clarify these changes, we’re renaming preview Ring 3 and Ring 4. Here’s more information on these Insider ring changes:

With these updates, many new Xbox Insiders – previously limited to Ring 3 or Ring 4 – will be able to join the Xbox One Update Preview Beta and Delta groups, thereby expanding the types of updates and features they’ll be able to test right away.

One important note for users who select enrollment in the Delta group to be aware of: a portion of Delta Insiders will receive preview builds earlier than others, based on a random lottery process. This means that while all users in the Delta ring will receive new console updates prior to their official release, some Delta Insiders will receive updates before others. This process gives developers a better understanding of how different sets of users experience new features, when introduced.

In addition to changing how Xbox One Preview Update rings function, we’re also providing Xbox Insiders with more flexibility in how they receive updates. As you gain access to deeper Insider rings, you’ll still retain access to lower rings, too. This means if you’re concerned with bandwidth usage or the frequency of updates, you can simply move to a lower ring whenever you’d like. What’s more, those who own multiple consoles can enroll those consoles individually into any of the Insider rings for which they’re eligible using the same gamertag across each.

Here’s some detail on the average number of monthly updates per ring, combined with the rough average monthly bandwidth usage per ring:

Game & App Flights

As we said earlier, the Xbox Insider Team is working closely with multiple 1st party and 3rd party game studios to bring you playtests of unreleased games. Recently we partnered with our friends at Rare and already thousands of gamers are sailing the Sea of Thieves across both Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. This spring, Paladins was initially available to Xbox Insiders with an XP level of 10 or higher, then Xbox Insiders with XP > level 5, before being released to all Xbox Insiders a few weeks before the game was generally available.

Along with games, Xbox Insiders can also get early access to unreleased Xbox console apps and updates, so keep checking the Xbox Insider Hub to see if new content opportunities are available to you!

Thank You

In closing, we simply want to say thank you to our Xbox Insiders for working closely with Team Xbox to build and improve not only the gaming experience on Xbox One but also multiple games and apps across PC and console. Not yet an Xbox Insider and interested in joining the program? It’s easy to get started! Simply navigate to the Store on Xbox One, search for the “Xbox Insider Hub,” download the app and get started testing new console updates, games and apps.

-The Xbox Insider Team