X’s region-based reply restrictions are now live, friends-of-friends replies also spotted [Updated]

Update 26/03/26 – 09:32 am (IST): X has started rolling out the new ‘Filter by region’ option to allow users to restrict replies to their preferred regions. The release was first spotted by @aaronp613 on X. I can also see the feature on my end on Android, iOS, and the web. Users can select from a long list of regions, including North America, Europe, South Asia, and more.

Separately, Nikita Bier has confirmed that X is testing a new reply option that lets “Accounts you follow and who they follow” join the conversation, broadening participation to second-degree connections. The feature is currently labeled as early access for Premium+ subscribers.

Jane Manchun Wong has also highlighted an even more specific location-based reply control, suggesting X may eventually let users limit replies to a particular city or area instead of an entire region. In the example shown so far, the selected audience is tied to San Francisco, CA.

Update 18/03/26 – 04:58 pm (IST): Fresh screenshots shared by Aaron on X now offer a clearer look at the upcoming Region Conversation Control, showing a new “Regions” option inside the “Who can reply?” menu.

Once enabled, the feature appears to let users limit replies by region or country, with filters for areas like North America, Europe, South Asia, and more. This suggests X is expanding its reply controls further, giving posters more say over who can join a conversation.

Original article published on March 18, 2026, follows:

X has started testing region-based reply restrictions and a new gesture as well. This gesture allows you to dismiss replies and go back to the previous screen. These updates will provide users with more control over conversations, as well as add a new navigation option. 

Aaron from MacRumors first shared details about both of these features through posts on X. The region-based reply restrictions feature reads “People in selected regions can reply.” You can choose to get engagement only from specific areas.

When you reach the end of the replies section, you just have to pull downwards, and it’ll take you back to the previous page. This feature was already present on the X rival app, Threads, and users were quick to point out the resemblance. However, it makes sense, since navigation out of the post after reading the replies is what most people do. You don’t have to specifically swipe from the left to the right of the screen anymore. It’s one less tap to get back to the previous page now.

People have begun making some specific demands in conversations, such as an option to whitelist and blacklist region options. People are also looking for a button to jump back to the top of the previous feed after accidental refreshes. Others were looking for the option to view the poster’s location directly on the post.

It’s worth noting that these two features are still under testing, and there’s no announcement yet from X. The posts from Aaron on X are the only available sources. It’s unclear when these features will make it to the public, and no timeline is available online.

X is continuously refining the platform, and there have been so many features under testing this year, like a whole separate X Chats app. In other news, they’ve seemingly made Ask Grok a Premium-only feature.

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