How to Play Xbox Cloud Streaming (and Why It Matters)
After months of running in a limited, invite-only closed beta, Xbox Cloud Gaming is now generally available. The service is still technically in beta, but is now available to all Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, adding even more value to what is arguably the best service in gaming .
The Xbox Cloud Gaming Beta supports devices running the latest Android, iOS / iPadOS, macOS, or Windows 10. Microsoft also plans to bring cloud streaming to Xbox One models in the future and will support the upcoming Windows 11.
Xbox Cloud Streaming is a big deal: While there are plenty of other cloud streaming gaming services out there like Stadia and Amazon, Xbox Cloud Streaming is the first time an established gaming company has launched their own cloud streaming service on this scale. If it works well, it could be a turning point for Xbox – and gaming in general – if all you need to play the latest games like Halo Infinite is a smartphone, stable internet connection, and Game Pass Ultimate.
Xbox Cloud Streaming Updated Cloud Streaming Infrastructure
Xbox Cloud Streaming has potential, but it needs the right technology if we want the service to do well the way Microsoft intends. To this end, Microsoft has improved the streaming performance along with the Extended Beta. Games now run on Xbox Series X equivalent hardware.
Streaming quality is still capped at 1080p and 60fps, so you won’t achieve the 4K 120fps gameplay that a true Xbox Series X can provide, but other technical improvements are now possible, such as ray tracing and (potentially) faster loading times. Input lag and overall performance depends on your internet connection, but you can stream over Wi-Fi or mobile connections, including 5G where possible.
Below, we’ll show existing Game Pass Ultimate subscribers how to set up Xbox Cloud Streaming on their preferred devices.
How to use Xbox Cloud Streaming
To access Xbox Cloud Streaming, you need a few things:
- Game Pass Ultimate subscription. For those who haven’t signed up yet, Microsoft is offering a special starting price of $ 1 per month for the first three months. After that, the price jumps to $ 15 a month, but that’s still a decent price to pay for access to a constantly updated library of Xbox and PC games.
- Supported device with the latest versions of Android, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, or Windows 10. For a complete list of supported devices, see this page.
- Bluetooth or USB controller connected to your device . You can use an Xbox controller or a supported third-party option like Backbone or Razer Kishi for smartphones. (Some games also support touch control, but using a real gamepad is much more comfortable.)
- High speed internet. Microsoft recommends at least 10 Mbps networks over 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
Finally, you need a suitable web browser. Each of the platforms currently supported accesses the service over the Internet, but browser support varies by operating system.
Android:
- Chromium
iOS and iPadOS:
- Safari
macOS:
- Safari
- Edge
- Other Chromium browsers (like Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, etc.)
Windows 10:
- Chromium
- Edge
- Other Chromium browsers (Brave, Opera, Vivaldi, etc.)
Once you’ve connected your controller and installed the appropriate browser, simply download xbox.com/en-US/play on your device, log into your Game Pass account, then select a game from your library (Note: only some Game Pass Games in currently support cloud streaming, more games will be added over time.)
Xbox Cloud Streaming also supports home streaming.
Xbox Cloud Streaming is a great benefit for Game Pass subscribers, but it’s not the only way to play Xbox games when you’re away from your TV. If you have an Xbox Series X / S or Xbox One, you can also stream directly from your console to Android , iOS, or Windows 10 devices connected to the same network.
[ Gamespot ]