Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming Mac

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Apr 30, 2021 Microsoft has introduced the ability to use Xbox Cloud Gaming from either Chrome or Safari on your Mac. Here’s how to get everything set up: Press the Xbox button on your controller to turn it on. Press and hold the Connect button atop the controller for three to five seconds to enter pairing mode. Microsoft has previously promised to bring Xbox cloud gaming to iOS, iPadOS, Mac and PC via the web by spring. While the service has been available on Android for several months, Apple’s restrictive App Store requirements prevented Microsoft from releasing Xbox cloud gaming on iOS. Xbox cloud gaming requires a $16.99 CAD per month Xbox Game. If using a Switch Pro controller with Xbox Cloud Gaming on a Mac, I've discovered that it only works when directly wired as a USB device. In this mode, the buttons all remap as though they are physically identical to an xbox controller (B A, X Y), and the - and + buttons act as the 'view' and 'menu' buttons respectively, and the home. This means that if you download the Xbox Game Pass app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC and the game is deemed to be Cloud compatible, you will be able to play that game on your device. While there’s still time before iOS users will finally be able to join in on the fun, looks like M1 Mac users can already enjoy xCloud games using the Android emulator. 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.

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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.

Xcloud Pc App Download

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Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming Mac Laptop

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.

Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming Machine

Xbox Game Pass Cloud Gaming Mac

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.

Xbox Cloud Gaming App

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.