What you need to know
Starting from November 12, 2023, Microsoft will no longer allow the use of unauthorized third-party accessories with its Xbox consoles. Players are receiving a warning message on their Xbox consoles when plugging in unauthorized accessories, informing them of the date when their accessories will be blocked with “error 0x82d60002”. Xbox recommends returning the accessory and checking their website for a list of authorized products. This warning message is due to the latest console build, which is causing issues when using these third-party accessories. However, there are rumors that this decision may be related to Microsoft’s plans to expand its program for approved third-party wireless Xbox controllers. Currently, most third-party Xbox controllers are wired.
Windows Central has reached out to Microsoft for comment on this matter.
A significant development for Xbox users
In a significant development for Xbox users, Microsoft has implemented a new policy that will block the use of unauthorized accessories with its consoles. This policy will be effective starting from November 17. The impact of this decision is already being felt in the gaming community, with players receiving warning messages on their consoles in the form of error code 0x82d60002.
I first learned about this error message when a family member reached out to me about her malfunctioning Xbox One controller. The controller looked like a low-quality version of the original, and unsurprisingly, it didn’t work with her Xbox. She received the warning message and error code, indicating that the controller was unauthorized. Upon seeing a photo of the controller, it was clear why it didn’t work – the included adapter looked cheap.
Jokes aside, the warning message on her console sparked my interest, leading me to discover that this issue extends beyond a single quirky controller. It’s a significant shift that affects all accessories lacking the Xbox seal of approval. Xbox is redirecting users to its official storefront, further emphasizing the impact of this change.
Brook Gaming addresses the issue
One of the brands experiencing the consequences of this policy change is Brook Gaming, known for its third-party gaming accessories. They have acknowledged the problems users are facing with their products and assured them that their engineering team is working on finding a solution.
Brook Gaming outlined the affected products in a statement:
- Wingman XB 2 converter
- XB Fighting Board (with partial functionality affected on UFB fighting boards and steering wheel adaptors)
It’s worth mentioning that several Reddit posts dating back to September have also highlighted issues with various accessories, including joysticks and racing wheels. However, it’s unclear how many products are impacted by this problem. Notably, there is no evidence suggesting that Cronus or XIM accessories, which allow users to mimic a mouse and keyboard on Xbox, will be affected.
Why is Microsoft enforcing this policy?
According to our sources, Microsoft is now allowing third-party manufacturers to develop wireless accessories for Xbox Series X|S devices. This change is a departure from their previous restrictions on wirelessness, which were mainly limited to headsets. Now, Microsoft has an approval process for official third-party wireless controllers. The recent policy change is likely a result of new security measures to prevent unfair advantages gained through unauthorized inputs.
Unfortunately, this new policy affects several “fair” accessories, particularly fighting game joysticks and similar products.
Will this affect your third-party accessories?
If you are using officially licensed products from manufacturers with an Xbox license, you should not be affected by this policy change. Brands like Turtle Beach and Razer, featured on our Best Xbox Headsets and Best Xbox Controllers lists, fall under this category. These products have undergone the necessary approval process and won’t be impacted by the recent change. However, the issue lies with brands that haven’t acquired the licensing yet market their products as compatible with Xbox. Microsoft is actively blocking these unauthorized items, leading to the error messages users are encountering.
We have reached out to Microsoft for a comment on this decision.
