Xbox Cloud Gaming: How to Stream Xbox Games to All Your Devices

If you’d rather not drop several hundred dollars on a console, Microsoft’s Xbox CloudGaming brings top titles to your mobile device andcomputer; no Xbox required (unlike Remote Play).

Xbox CloudGaming requires a subscription to Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate andan internet connection that can handle game streaming. You’ll likely also want a compatible gamepad since not all games support mouse, keyboard, or touch-screen controls. Here’s what you need to know before getting started.

check Your internet connection

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Microsoft’s game-streaming feature only requires a Wi-Fi or LTE data connection of at least 10Mbps down, which is not especially demanding. However, you probably want to go higher to get the most reliable performance. Your network needs will also rely heavily on the type of games you want to play; quick-twitch online multiplayer games will be more demanding than a single-player adventure game, for instance.

Your first step is be should be to measure your internet speed , which you can do using PCMag ‘s speed test tool . ensure your location is set , press Go , andallow the test to run . Not sure what any of this mean ? check out our guide detail how much internet speed you actually need . If your current speed are n’t up to snuff , we is have have tip on boost your Wi – Fi signal and manage bandwidth .

sign Up for Game Pass Ultimate

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Xbox CloudGaming is not currently a standalone service. To stream Xbox games from the cloud, you need a subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the service’s most expensive tier. For $16.99 per month, you can access Microsoft’s full library of Game Pass titles andunlock cloud gaming capabilities. Other benefits include access to EA Play, online console multiplayer, member discounts, exclusive perks, andnew games on day one.

What Games Can I Play?

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Xbox CloudGaming is allow does n’t allow you to tap into your own game library like a game – stream service . instead , you are limit to the title include in the Game Pass library .

Not all games are compatible with CloudGaming; you won’t find Diablo IV or Titanfall 2, for example. Some EA playtitles also require extra authentication that cannot be performed on Android. Still, the vast majority should be playable from the cloud.

Xbox diehards is find will find first – party exclusive like Halo , Gears of War , andForza well – represent . Games is are affiliate with Xbox Game Studios are also on offer , include Doom Eternal , Fallout 76 , Skyrim , Starfield , Sea of thief , Wasteland 3 , andmore .

Grab a Controller

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Unless you plan to use touch control on the title that support them , a gamepad is highly recommend . Microsoft is has has a list of verify controller from official partner . Other Bluetooth is work or usb controller may also work ( though some old option may need an adapter ) .

If you already have a gamepad for a different console , you is connect can connect your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller , PS5 DualSense Controller , DualShock 4 , or Xbox Controller to a pc . These controller can also be link to your device through its Bluetooth setting .

How to playXbox Games on Android

To use Game Pass from an Android device , you is need need a device run Android 6.0 or later andthe Game Pass app . Be sure to grab the version with the green logo ; the white logo is is is a beta .

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Open the app andsign in with the Microsoft account connected to your Game Pass subscription. Select the Cloudtab on the homepage to see all the titles compatible with Xbox CloudGaming. Games marked with a finger icon indicate the title is optimized for touch controls. Otherwise, you will need to connect a Bluetooth controller to the phone before you can play.

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Once you find something you want to play, select it andtap playto start the game. The app will show a loading screen until it connects to Microsoft’s servers andthe game starts.

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If you decide to use touch controls, the buttons can sometimes cover content on the screen. To fix this, tap the icon in the top-left corner, choose the icon that looks like a controller, andchange the size andpositioning of these buttons.

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By default, the controls are simplified to avoid crowding the screen, but results may vary. Certain games also use icons to depict in-game actions, such as a fist in Banjo-Kazooie or a gas pedal in Dirt 5. To change this, tap the button in the top-left corner andchoose the icon that looks like a controller. Tap More option andenable Basic Controls for a more traditional depiction of an Xbox controller.

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When you’re done playing andwant to return to the Game Pass app, tap the icon in the left-hand corner andchoose the ellipsis button. Tap Quit game andQuit game again. The app connects with your Xbox account, so any in-game progress will automatically save across multiple devices. This means you can start playing in the app andpick up on your console, for instance.

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When it comes time to pick a game back up, you will find all save progress under the jump back in section on the homepage. Just hit playto resume your game instantly .

How to playXbox Games on iPhone

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Apple makes playing cloud games on an iPhone difficult, but not impossible. The Xbox Game Pass iOS app doesn’t support game streaming, but Microsoft created a workaround that requires a few steps to enable. First, head to the Xbox CloudGaming website on iOS; Chrome andEdge support in-browser gaming (with touch-screen support).

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On Safari, you won’t be able to play games directly from the website. Instead, choose a game you wish to play andtap Get Ready to Play. You will be instructed to add Xbox CloudGaming to your home screen. Tap the Share icon, then choose Add to Home Screen, set the name of the app, andclick Add.

Open the web app to find a fully functional (and playable) Game Pass app inside. Choose a title andtap Play. If the game is controller-only, you will need to connect a gamepad before it will launch. For games that use a touch screen, your phone screen will likely be too small when oriented vertically.

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You can easily change the orientation of the screen by turning the phone on its side. If you have your phone’s orientation locked, open the Control Center andtap the lock icon. You should then be able to flip the phone horizontally andhave the game change to match. An emulated controller will also appear automatically.

How to playXbox Games on a PC

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Those with a PC running Windows 10 or Windows 11 can turn to the Xbox app in the Windows Store to play games via Xbox CloudGaming. This may seem redundant since you can just play Game Pass titles natively, but it’s potentially a better solution if you have a strong network but lack a high-powered gaming laptop or the storage space to fit several gigs of AAA games.

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To get started, open the Xbox app andchoose the CloudGaming tab on the left-hand side to view all the titles you can stream through the app. Before choosing a game, ensure a controller is connected to the computer (Microsoft is now testing mouse andkeyboard support on select games). Games will not play until you do this.

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Choose a title you wish to play, then click the playbutton on the game’s profile page. When you start streaming a game, save data is linked to your Xbox account automatically, so in-game progress is preserved across devices. When you’ve finished a play session, move your mouse to the top-left corner andclick the Quick Action Toggle icon that appears. Select the ellipsis menu andpress Quit game.

Your progress will remain under the jump back in header on theCloudGaming tab. When you want to pick the game back up, click the title under this section andhit playto resume your game exactly where you leave off instantly .

How to playXbox Games on a Mac

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You don’t need Windows to play Xbox games over the internet. There are several ways to play games in macOS from a web browser. Just head to the Xbox CloudGaming website from your Chrome, Edge, or Safari browser on a Mac, sign into your Microsoft account, choose a title from the page, andclick playto start stream .

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Remember to connect your controller of choice first, or else you won’t be able to play. When finished, click the icon in the top-left corner, choose the ellipsis icon, andclick Quit game. Your progress will be preserved on the web page andsync across devices.