- An Xbox App Beta for Android will transfer the installed games from your console to your phone.
- You no longer have to be an Xbox Insider to use the remote play feature.
- You can also sign in to as many Xbox consoles and apps as you want for easy gaming.
You no longer need to sign up for Game Pass Ultimate or become an Insider to play Xbox games outside of your console. Microsoft has released an Xbox app beta for Android that enables remote gaming for everyone and allows you to play the installed games on your console on your phone.
Of course, you’ll need to connect to your console, but you can play any title you have access to, including Game Pass titles. While this isn’t as flexible as Microsoft’s cloud gaming (no one else can use your console while playing), it can be helpful if your TV is busy the moment you want to play call of Duty.
See also: PlayStation 5 versus Xbox Series X.
The function is a rough parallel to Sony’s longstanding remote play for PlayStation owners. In the current version, you can play PS4 games on Android, iOS and computers. Microsoft hasn’t said whether Xbox Remote Play will be similarly accessible on other platforms.
Much improved signups make it easier too. Now, with Microsoft, you can stay signed in to as many Xbox apps and consoles as you want. You don’t have to sign in again to switch from your console to your phone. You can only play games in one location at a time, but this should optimize the gaming experience significantly.
The Xbox App Beta also offers synced notifications for chats, parties, and other alerts. You can use text or voice chat as you would on your system. A new sharing experience makes it easier to take clips and screenshots when you’ve paired an Xbox controller with your Android device. Profiles now have a new area with highlights with a focus on “Mobile First”.
The remote play messages come right when Microsoft Bethesda’s owner purchases ZeniMax, and one day before pre-orders begin for the Xbox Series X and Series S. It’s unlikely the timing is random. Microsoft knows that Sony’s PlayStation 5 faces stiff competition, and such moves could make the new Xbox models a whole lot more enticing for gamers who haven’t moved on to new hardware.