A report earlier this week indicated that Microsoft’s new Xbox app would come to iOS with support for streaming Xbox games to your iPhone. The app is now available in beta, and The Verge has a hands-on look at how it works.
First and foremost, what’s important to note here is that the new Xbox app is not the same as Microsoft’s xCloud streaming game service. Here’s how the two compare:
- The new Xbox app lets you stream games from your Xbox One console to your iPhone
- Microsoft’s Cloud service lets you stream games directly from servers, no Xbox One console required.
Microsoft and Apple have engaged in a public dispute over whether or not streaming game services should be available through the App Store, with Microsoft balking at Apple’s stringent requirements. The new Xbox app is a new solution that at least brings remote gaming capabilities to Xbox console owners.
The Verge details how the app connects to your home Xbox One console:
You will be able to access an Xbox console over Wi-Fi, or even an LTE or 5G connection, too. As this app takes control of your home Xbox, you can remotely start your console outside of your home. The Xbox will start up without a sound or the Xbox light at the front, and when you disconnect, it goes back into standby after a brief period of inactivity.
In addition to playing games from your Xbox on your iPhone, the new Xbox application also allows you to download and share game clips and screenshots, manage settings and storage, and delete games.
OneCast allows you to stream Xbox One games to macOS in 1080p and connect an Xbox controller to your Mac via Bluetooth or USB. OneCast is extremely easy to setup, there’s almost no lag when playing and you can setup multiple profiles for multiple Xboxes. On your Mac, search for SofaPlay in the Mac App Store and download it. Now on your Xbox One, open the Xbox Video. If you do not have Xbox Video on your homescreen, scroll your way to the extreme right until you see the search bar. Search for Xbox Video there. Now on your Mac, open SofaPlay and select the Xbox-SystemOS from the dropdown list.
Here is a short video showing how the Xbox app works on iPhone, including how to connect directly to the Xbox One console and play:
- Xbox Cloud Gaming is our technology that allows you to play over 100 console games on the devices you already have with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and a compatible controller. As part of your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, you can enjoy the console games you love, the people you want to play together with, on the devices you already have, all.
- Apr 05, 2021 Inside the Xbox app, you can then tap the library button. It’s the same story for streaming from a new Xbox console to a Mac computer for the time being.
- Download Xbox Game Streaming and enjoy the creativity of Microsoft’s new Project xCloud (Preview). With this Xbox Game Streaming app, you can also stream all your Xbox One games installed on your console! With a strong WiFi or cellular network connection, you’re good to go!
There’s no public release date for the new Xbox app for iPhone users just yet, but it should be available soon. The beta is running through Apple’s TestFlight platform, but there are currently no open spots.
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Updated 06/28/21: Xbox Cloud Gaming through the browser is now available to all Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. This article has been updated throughout with the latest information from Microsoft.
Last year, we wrote about how Apple’s restrictive App Store rules would cause millions of gamers to miss out on Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming service (née xCloud). Microsoft later updated the Xbox app to stream games over your local network from your own Xbox, but that’s not the same thing as a cloud gaming service where you don’t need to download or install games at all.
After months of hand-wringing and probably back-room negotiations, Microsoft finally announced that it would build a web-based solution for devices on which it can’t provide an app, like iPhone and iPad. After a short invite-only beta period, Microsoft has announced that all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can now enjoy Xbox Cloud Gaming on Mac, iPhone, or iPad. To play, simply visit xbox.com/play using Edge, Chrome, or Safari browsers on your Apple device.
Most games are made to be played with a controller, but Apple’s devices support modern Xbox controllers just fine. Just sync it to your Mac as you would any Bluetooth device, or plug in via USB. On iPhone or iPad, we have a guide to pairing your Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S controller.
In addition to the broad availability of Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly code-named xCloud) to all subscribers, Microsoft has upgraded the servers that run the games in the cloud to new hardware based on the Xbox Series X. This means faster performance, much quicker loading times, and better visual quality. Games will stream at 1080p and 60fps, but the company says that “Going forward we’ll continue to innovate and add more features to enhance your cloud gaming experience.”
Can You Stream Xbox On Mac
On Xbox, all saved games are always synced to the cloud, as is other user data like friends lists and achievements. So everything you do on a console will be there waiting for you in the cloud, and vice-versa.
Xbox Streaming App Mac Computer
The Xbox Cloud Gaming expansion comes along with an expansion of Xbox-ready game accessories for iPhones. The popular Razer Kishi controller, originally only for Android phones, now has an MFi-certified version for iPhones. The new Backbone One controller for iPhone features a dedicated button to launch the Xbox Cloud Gaming web app. For a limited time, Microsoft is offering three-month free trial to new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with the purchase of either controller.