Xbox Cloud Gaming is becoming more and more important to Microsoft's games business, especially as the company continues to expand Xbox onto new devices. These days, we're seeing the team advertise pretty much any electronic devices as a potential 'Xbox', but what exactly is supported? And how do you access Xbox Cloud Gaming on your chosen device?
Well, this guide is here to break down exactly what Xbox Cloud Gaming is, how it works, and where you can play supported titles. Microsoft is continuously improving and evolving its Xbox Cloud Gaming tech, but this is where things stand as we head into 2025.
What Is Xbox Cloud Gaming?
Xbox Cloud Gaming, once known as XCloud, is Microsoft's answer to internet-based gaming. Rather than playing games natively on power-appropriate hardware, Xbox Cloud Gaming allows users to stream games over the internet without the need for a dedicated console or PC.
How Does Xbox Cloud Gaming Work?
Essentially, Xbox Cloud Gaming is the exact same as normal Xbox gaming, except Microsoft is the one doing the heavy lifting. You simply pick your supported title, hit play with Xbox Cloud Gaming, and one of Microsoft's machines will kick into gear and livestream the game right to your chosen device.
Which Games Are Supported On Xbox Cloud Gaming?
So far, Xbox Cloud Gaming has been centered around an Xbox Game Pass membership. The vast majority of titles in the Game Pass Ultimate Library support Xbox Cloud Gaming, so if you pick a title from that list, chances are it'll have a play with cloud option.
However, Xbox is now beginning to roll out Cloud Gaming support to select titles outside of the Game Pass library. In that case, you'd need to own the game to be able to play it over the cloud (and still be a Game Pass Ultimate member) - and down below is the current list of non-Game Pass titles that are supported.
How Much Does Xbox Cloud Gaming Cost?
Xbox Cloud Gaming requires an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership to access, even if you're wanting to play cloud-supported games that you own. As we mentioned up above, Xbox's streaming service has been closely tied with Game Pass since its inception, and accessing any cloud titles needs a GPU subscription.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate currently costs $19.99 / £14.99 per month, or your regional equivalent.
What Devices Work With Xbox Cloud Gaming?
Xbox is always adding supported devices to its Cloud Gaming list - case in point, LG Smart TV support is coming later this year.
However, Microsoft currently has an official list of supported devices as of January 2025, which we'll throw down below.
- Xbox Consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S)
- Windows Devices (Windows 10 version 20H2 and later)
- MacBooks (MacOS 14.1.2 and later)
- iPad (iPadOS 14.4 and later)
- iPhone (iPhone iOS 14.4 and later
- Android Devices (Android OS 12.0 and later)
- Smart TVs (2020 and newer Samsung TV models with software version 1300 and higher)
- Amazon Fire TV (Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Fire TV Cube)
- VR Headsets (Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S)
Internet Speed Required For Xbox Cloud Gaming
Your experience with games being played in the cloud will likely vary depending on internet speed. A wired connection is also recommended, but of course, that isn't practical if you're playing on a mobile device or something similar.
Officially, Microsoft says that you'll need "10 Mbps on mobile devices, 20 Mbps on consoles, PCs and tablets and 5Ghz WiFi or mobile data connection." If you meet those minimum speed requirements, you should have a playable experience with Xbox Cloud Gaming!
How To Access Xbox Cloud Gaming
As we've listed up above, there are plenty of devices out there that support Xbox Cloud Gaming, but what about accessing the feature on those devices? It varies depending on your machine of choice, but here's how to access Xbox Cloud gaming per-device:
How To Play Xbox Cloud Gaming On Console
When it comes to console, it's a relatively easy process. Simply find your supported game of choice via the Microsoft Store, and there should be an icon to say 'Play with Cloud' on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
How To Play Xbox Cloud Gaming On PC
PC users have a few options for Xbox Cloud Gaming. One way is to sign into your Microsoft account via an internet browser, and play supported games through your browser on Xbox.com/play.
Alternatively, PC players can also download the Xbox app and stream games through the app, in pretty much the same fashion. This is probably the way to go if you'll regularly be streaming Xbox games on Windows.
How To Play Xbox Cloud Gaming On Android and iOS
Currently, Xbox Cloud Gaming on iOS and Android devices is done through a web browser. Just like on PC, you can head over to the Xbox website, log in, and find the games you'd like to stream via the digital storefront.
Although the above image shows touchscreen playability, we recommend playing with an Xbox controller for the best experience, which is easy enough to do. Microsoft's Series X and S controller supports Bluetooth, so you can connect one as you would any other Bluetooth device to get cracking with Xbox Cloud Gaming.
We hope this guide has proved useful for your cloud gaming adventures on Xbox!
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Comments 9
went round a mates and he was playing black ops 6 via an app on his tv. so didnt have to buy a console or the game was pretty impressed with it
@trev666
Cloud gaming continues to improve a lot. MS is investing in it and I wouldn't doubt that in the next 10 years consoles are dead and replaced fully by cloud gaming available on almost any device you can buy.
I would expect that cloud gaming will evolve to continually to improve performance/lag over the next 10 years to the point where you cannot tell the difference between something that you are running from the cloud vs. running locally. In fact, with AI, I would expect that cloud gaming will be even better then the local experience.
More power with more computing power closer to consumers is the only way they achieve this and quite frankly every region of the world develops at different speeds & the reliance on Internet access everywhere at a reasonable price is another challenge. Power to those that can benefit. Personally Google Stadia had the BEST cloud gaming experience and they failed . Still have my controller as a nostalgia item.
@Kilamanjaro stadia was very good it was the business model that failed them
@trev666 exactly, that's my point. I mean will people really be willing to pay for access just to this novelty in droves where it becomes profitable? Time will tell.
@trev666 @Kilamanjaro really? I tried Stadia when Google was so desperate to get people on board they were sending out the controller and Chromecast Ultra for free. It was bunk. I've had a far better experience with Xbox Cloud Gaming.
@Markatron84 yeah I really had a great experience running out my laptop off the browser or with the dongle. They refunded all my purchases too when they ultimately failed but they allowed 4k 60fps gaming and I can't say Gamepass offers the same fidelity as consistently. How's the experience been lately? I'll admit it's been maybe 2 years now since I've tried at home but have tried mobile more often with mixed results
@Kilamanjaro i haven't used it in a while, since I let my GPU lapse last year. I think it was October I last used it, when I got it up and running on Steam Deck. It worked great. No noticeable input lag, and on a screen that size you wouldn't know it was being streamed from looking at the image.
@Markatron84 I'll give it another shot soon
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...