Xbox’s ‘stream your owned games to console’ feature launched for all Game Pass Ultimate users

Xbox's 'stream your owned games to console' feature launched for all Game Pass Ultimate users

Microsoft has officially launched a popular feature that allows all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to stream select games they own directly to their Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One consoles, eliminating the need for prior installation. This feature, part of several updates released in April, has been in the works since 2019 but faced numerous delays before finally debuting last November on various devices like smart TVs and compatible browsers.

After a successful series of Insider tests, the streaming capability is now accessible to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. This enhancement means that players can stream games that are outside of the Game Pass library, provided those titles are included on Microsoft’s list of supported games. Currently, over 100 games are available for streaming, with plans for additional titles to be added in the future. Notable recent inclusions include “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2,” “Wanderstop,” and “Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed.” A comprehensive list of these supported games can be found on the Xbox website.

To utilize this new feature, subscribers can access it by turning on their console and navigating to My Games & Apps > Full Library > Owned Games. Games eligible for streaming will display a cloud badge on their respective pages. Players can initiate streaming by selecting a game and opting for the Play with Cloud Gaming feature, or they can also begin streaming straight from the Store app after purchasing a compatible game.

In addition to the owned game streaming functionality, the April Xbox update introduces various improvements and new features for consoles. One notable upgrade is the “Free up space” screen, which helps users identify duplicate game copies and titles they can no longer access. Furthermore, the update includes the introduction of new Game hubs on Xbox consoles.

Moreover, changes have been applied to Xbox remote play. This feature has been removed from the Xbox app on mobile devices, requiring users to now access it via their mobile browsers. Microsoft believes this will enhance the streaming experience and facilitate the introduction of new features. This adjustment is also expected to enable remote play on additional devices in the near future, including Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices, and Meta Quest headsets.

Lastly, Microsoft is rolling out updates to its Xbox app on both iOS and Android platforms, allowing players to purchase games and add-ons, join Game Pass, and redeem Perks directly within the app. These updates will initially be available to beta users before being made accessible to everyone through the Google Play Store for Android and the Apple Store for iOS. More information is available in Microsoft’s blog.