Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it is merging the features of the Xbox Game Pass app into the Xbox app for mobile devices. This new, updated Xbox app will be available on iOS, Android, and iPadOS starting this week. By November, Microsoft will stop all downloads of the Xbox Game Pass app, making the Xbox app the sole platform for accessing these features.
Key Features of the New Xbox App
The revamped Xbox app will combine various functionalities from the Game Pass app, allowing users to:
- Explore Game Pass: Users can browse the entire Game Pass catalog to find their favorite games and receive notifications about new additions.
- Manage Membership: Players can manage their Game Pass subscriptions directly within the app.
- Claim Perks: Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can view and claim exclusive perks.
- Stream Games: Users can stream select games via Xbox Cloud Gaming on their mobile devices.
In addition to these new features, the core functionalities of the Xbox app will remain unchanged. Users will still have access to social features, party chat while gaming, achievement tracking, and remote game installation on their consoles.
Updates for PC and Consoles
Microsoft also introduced several updates for PC and console users:
- Game Bar Compact Mode: This new mode is designed for smaller screens and makes it easier for players to access their recently played games and other widgets. Users can enable this mode through the Game Bar settings.
- Improved Game Management: The Xbox app on PC now allows users to view and install game add-ons while downloading a game. Players can manage add-ons by right-clicking on a game title.
- Pre-download Game Updates: On Xbox consoles, players can pre-download updates for games. This means they can start playing as soon as an update is live.
- Wish List Notifications: Users will receive notifications when games they wish-listed are released or added to Game Pass.
These updates aim to enhance the overall gaming experience across Microsoft’s platforms, making it easier for players to access and manage their games.
