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.
- Xbox Game Pass for PC. Play over 100 high-quality PC games on Windows 10. Now includes iconic Bethesda games, new day one titles, and the EA Play on PC catalog. Join now to get your first month for $1. Subscription continues automatically at $9.99/mo. Unless cancelled through your Microsoft Account.
- Xbox Game Pass for PC is a frustrating mess. There’s no denying that Xbox Game Pass is one of the most appealing business models around. It lets subscribers download and play hundreds of games.
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.
For those who aren’t familiar, Microsoft’s xCloud is a cloud gaming service, which allows subscribers of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to play more than 150 games on Android devices over a data connection at no additional cost. For now, there is no Bluetooth, keyboard, mouse or touch screen support. Check out the video below to see what you need. Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass is now available for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, opening up access to over 100 titles. The subscription will offer games like Halo, Gears of War, Forza, and Grand Theft Auto V. Not only that, you'll be able to play against users on Xbox consoles, PCs, or other mobile devices.
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.”
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.
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.
Microsoft has confirmed that Xbox cloud gaming is coming to iOS in 2021. In a new blog post today, the company says that cloud gaming as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will come to iOS via web browser in spring of 2021.
This was first rumored in October. Microsoft had decided not to launch its game streaming service on iOS because of the App Store guidelines. Bringing cloud gaming to the iPhone and iPad via the web browser will allow Microsoft to skirt the App Store guidelines altogether.
Expanding Xbox to new players is central to our ambition of helping games and developers find an easy path to the world’s 3 billion gamers. We are doing this by embracing multiple devices and providing a consistent Xbox experience wherever you log in, whether that’s on your Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One, Android device or — starting in Spring 2021 — your Windows PC and iOS device from the cloud.
Microsoft does note that cloud gaming on iOS via the web will technically be a “beta” at first, but no further details are provided. Note that this is also different than what’s available in the Xbox app, which allows Xbox console owners to stream games directly from their personal console.
For what it’s worth, Apple announced new App Store guidelines this year addressing game streaming services. The guidelines say that streaming game services are now allowed, but developers must submit each game to the App Store as separate apps in compliance with all guidelines.
Microsoft is the only the latest company to announce that its streaming game service will come to iOS via the web. Amazon announced recently that its Luna cloud gaming service will also be available on iOS via the web, while Google made similar promises for Stadia.
Xbox Game Pass On Macbook
You can read more in Microsoft’s full blog post.
Xbox Game Pass On Mac
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