You can now apply to become an Xbox Alpha or Alpha Skip-Ahead Insider

Anyone can apply to be an Alpha or Alpha Skip-Ahead Insider, but only some people will be chosen.

What you need to know

Microsoft is looking for Insiders to join the Xbox Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead rings.
These rings are invite-only and allow people to test out upcoming features for Microsoft's consoles.
The purpose of the Insider program is to provide feedback to Microsoft to shape future Xbox updates.
Only people who understand the Insider process should sign up, as builds from the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead rings are often unstable.

Microsoft is seeking Insiders for the Xbox Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead rings. These are invite-only rings that allow Xbox owners to test out upcoming features and to provide feedback to Microsoft. Builds from the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead rings are often unstable, so only people who understand the development process should sign up. There are more stable Insider rings available, though any pre-release build can have bugs.

Microsoft does not explain the exact criteria for becoming an Alpha or Alpha Skip-Ahead Insider. "We don't share specific details, but we look at a variety of factors like high-quality submitted feedback, quest/survey participation, and playing games," explains Microsoft. "More importantly, we select users who let us know they are interested in participating!"

Anyone can apply to become an Alpha or Alpha Skip-Ahead Insider. Microsoft outlines the steps to express an interest:

Launch the Xbox Insider Hub on your console

Select Activities on the left

Under Available, scroll down until you see Joining new rings

Complete the survey!

Applying does not guarantee that you will become an Alpha or Alpha Skip-Ahead Insider. Even if you receive an invite, it's important that you join the program as quickly as possible, as spots are limited.

It's generally not a good idea to run Alpha or Alpha Skip-Ahead builds on your main console. If you have an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, it may be worth using a secondary device to enroll in the Insider program.