Years ago, "Xbox" referred only to Microsoft's traditional game consoles, which had exclusive games and a closed ecosystem. However, the company looks a lot different today. Alongside its flagship consoles, you can also play games via PC and even the cloud--including on a mobile device--essentially making everywhere a great Xbox gaming venue.

　　A very convenient way to play Xbox Game Pass titles, Xbox Cloud Gaming allows anyone with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership to stream games directly to their devices, with no download or updates required, and the program is only getting bigger. We'll give you the rundown on what you need to know about Xbox Cloud Gaming, including how it's evolving in the future.

　　Sign up for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

　　Get access to hundreds of games for $17/month

　　See at Microsoft

　　

What is Xbox Cloud Gaming?

You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Xbox Cloud Gaming On Console Gets Holiday Release Date | GameSpot News

　　Firearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023

　　State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023How Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight TrailerResident Evil 4 Adds Mercenaries and Microtransactions | GameSpot NewsFallout: New Vegas 2 Rumors Explained | GameSpotApril Xbox Game Pass Games Revealed | GameSpot NewsOver 15 Free Games To Claim In April | GameSpot NewsNew Witcher Game Plans Have Changed | GameSpot NewsElden Ring Death Count Revealed | GameSpot News

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

　　

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter

　　Unlike some other game-streaming services like PlayStation Now and Google Stadia, Xbox Cloud Gaming isn't actually a separate paid program from Microsoft. Instead, it's a feature included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, giving you access to a selection of games alongside the console and PC titles you're already given access to with your subscription fee.

　　Xbox Cloud Gaming works by having the game you're playing run remotely at one of Microsoft's data centers, which utilize Xbox hardware components to offer similar performance to what you'd get on the console. They're streamed to your device of choice, including phones, tablets, PCs, or even an Xbox console, letting you play on any of them without worrying about even the smallest installation first.

　　

What do you need for Xbox Cloud Gaming?

To use Xbox Cloud Gaming right now, you must be subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and not the basic Xbox Game Pass tier that is limited to consoles. This typically costs $15 a month, though discounts are often available.

　　You must also have a Windows PC, Android phone or tablet, or Apple phone or tablet to use Xbox Cloud Gaming, or you can use a standard Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S. On Android devices, you can use the Game Pass app to stream your games, though only Samsung Galaxy phones allow you to also make subscription or DLC choices within the app. Windows PC players can use either the Xbox for PC app or their web browser.

　　On iOS, Apple's store policy means you're currently limited to running Xbox Cloud Gaming through Safari. However, if you go to the Xbox Cloud Gaming play page, hit the share button in your browser and add it to your home screen, you can open it like any other app for ease of use.

　　For more on getting started with Xbox Cloud Gaming, check out our detailed walkthrough for setting it up.

　　While you can use a regular Xbox wireless controller for Xbox Cloud Gaming, you may want to buy a dedicated controller that turns your smartphone into a Switch-like device.

　　Best phone controller for Android

　　Razer Kishi

　　See at Amazon (Kishi Android) See at GameStop (Kishi iOS) See at Amazon (Kishi V2)

　　Best phone controller for iOS

　　Backbone One

　　See at Target See at Amazon (PlayStation)

　　Best phone controller for Android - Runner-Up

　　PowerA Moga XP7-X Plus

　　See at Amazon

　　Best conventional controller for iPhone

　　PowerA Moga XP5-i Plus

　　See at Best Buy See at Amazon

　　Best conventional iPhone controller - Runner-up

　　RiotPWR iPhone Cloud Gaming Controller

　　See at Amazon

　　Best phone controller for Xbox Cloud Gaming

　　PowerA Moga XP5-X Plus

　　See at GameStop

　　Most portable phone controller

　　Razer Junglecat

　　See at Razer See at Amazon

　　Best controller for playing on your iPad

　　Gamevice for iPad

　　See at Amazon

　　Best all-in-one phone controller

　　Razer Raiju Mobile

　　See at Amazon

　　Best phone controller for Xbox Series X owners

　　Xbox Wireless Controller

　　See at Amazon

　　Best premium controller for Xbox Cloud Streaming

　　Xbox Elite Series 2 controller

　　See at Amazon See at Amazon (Core controller)

　　Best retro phone controller

　　8BitDo Pro 2

　　See at Amazon

　　Best phone controller for PS5 owners

　　PS5 DualSense

　　See at Amazon

　　

What are the system and speed requirements?

Xbox Cloud Gaming platformsApple devices: iOS 14.4 or later, 10 Mbps (iPhone) or 20 Mbps (iPad) download speed.

　　Android devices: Android 6.0 or later, 7 Mbps download speed.

　　PC: Windows 10 October 2020 update or later, 20 Mbps download speed.

　　To use an Xbox wireless controller on any of these platforms, you will need Bluetooth 4.0 or later. However, many also feature virtual buttons on the touch screen, should you prefer that.

　　

Xbox Series X|S Games On Xbox One

One other benefit to cloud gaming is that it allows older devices to play newer games without having to worry about hardware limitations. Microsoft will allow Xbox One systems to stream Xbox Series X|S games in the future, including the extremely technically demanding Microsoft Flight Simulator, letting those who haven't purchased the newer systems still enjoy it.

　　More Tech Picks From GameSpot

　　Best Computer Speakers For Gaming Best 4K TVs For Gaming Best Monitor For PS5, Xbox Series X + Show More More Tech Picks From GameSpot Links (6) Best Gaming Chairs In 2023 Best Cheap Gaming Monitors In 2022 Best PC Headsets In 2023 The Best Nintendo Switch Controllers You Can Buy The Best VR Headsets In 2020 The Best Webcam For 2021: Top Picks For Streaming On Twitch And YouTube