Xbox App Users Flooded with Test Notifications: What Happened?

On February 25, Xbox app users were inundated with test notifications, leading to confusion and frustration. The messages, which were mistakenly sent to the public, indicated a backend testing error rather than a security issue. Users speculated on Reddit about the cause, with many believing it was a mishap involving the customer engagement platform Braze. This incident highlights the challenges of app testing and communication with users. Read on to learn more about the implications of this glitch and user reactions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 00:47 IST

Unexpected Notifications from Xbox App

On February 25, around 12:30 PM ET, many users in the United States experienced a barrage of notifications from the Xbox app. Each alert stated: “This is a dummy test message sent via Braze. Please capture a screenshot once you receive it. This should take you to the recently added gallery.” Some individuals reported receiving as many as eight notifications, while others noted even higher numbers. The alerts were often accompanied by the Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora icon, which added to the confusion.

Understanding the Cause Behind the Notifications

Users quickly turned to Reddit to share their experiences regarding the unexpected notifications. In a now-deleted post, one user speculated, “Someone pushed Test to Prod. The entire app is broken.” Others pointed out the mention of Braze in the message, indicating it was likely a backend testing mishap rather than a security breach. One Redditor reassured others, stating, “It doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t mean your account was hacked, compromised, or targeted; it’s most likely just a backend testing error that slipped through.” A brief investigation reveals that Braze is a platform for customer engagement and digital messaging, utilized by various companies for testing and sending campaigns. Many users suspect that the Xbox app is either using Braze or transitioning to it, and that a test notification intended for internal teams was mistakenly sent to the public. One frustrated user succinctly expressed their feelings: “Took me to the ‘uninstalling this app ASAP headspace’ is what it did.”