Xbox Adds Multiple Highly-Requested Features In April 2025 Update

I'm not fully on board of replacing the app remote play with a browser-based solution. I would gladly be happy to be proven wrong, but it seems like that's less efficient than a dedicated function within an app.

Don't get me wrong, it's a step in the right direction but I still smile at the irony of championing "your games your way" requiring a subscription to stream games you own. (I still think between this and the "everything is an Xbox" push there should be a stream only tier)

Again, fully understand they need to control the number of people using it during "beta", it's more complex, and it has to be funded and all. I get that

But it's hard to ignore that I don't need a sub to stream, my purchased content on Amazon or Sky Store on other devices.

No remote play from the Xbox mobile app seems like an unnecessary downgrade. Doesn't seem like it's currently possible to access the feature through a browser.

Awesome stuff! Hoping for the achievement overhaul next!

Now that's an update!

What about the streaming bitrate ? Good to see more streaming options but the quality of stream (cloud or remote play) is still subpar compared to GFN, Boosteroid or even PSN.

The app really needs the have as many features as possible if Xbox is selling this play anywhere to new customer and us that own console need an easy way to stream games if we choose to through the app!

Other than the, free up space feature, rest of updates do absolutely nothing for me.

People that want them, glad they got something wanted.

Excellent news! Just being able to purchase games natively through the app is going to be amazing, my wallet won't agree though 👍

Was streaming balatro in safari browser on an ipad with a bluetooth controller. Ran as if it was natively installed. Tried cyberpunk and it crashed before the second splash screen. Went to bed afterwards. Gonna try cyberpunk again.

@Eightoheight @Ricky-Spanish They had to remove the in app streaming function to make the app a "store," allowing them to circumvent the 30% Apple and Google commission. PlayStation does the same thing with remote play as a separate app, and Xbox now has a separate cloud streaming app and website. You just have to Google Xbox Cloud Gaming, and the website will pop up.

@darylb24 Also, it helps with the fact they had to partially divest themselves of Cloud Gaming to get Sony to shut up with the ABK deal, since Sony were trying their damndest to make the deal no longer financially profitable for Microsoft.

Game hubs came fast (I don't think they've gone through all the insider rings yet) and I wish stream your own game would hurry up and join the Xbox App on PC.

Okay, I was wondering how they managed to include purchasing and it's because they took away remote play. Good god I hate Google. Based on what I've seen Google's policies are against being able to buy AND play in the same app, which is why the Xbox app doesn't have cloud gaming and now remote play. I honestly can't say I like this much, but it's "a" solution. Certainly cloud gaming on Android has already been pushed to the website, why not do the same with remote play? It let's them add buying at least, but it is SUCH a hollow victory. I was already frustrated when the game pass app got defunct and Android users had to do like iOS users for cloud gaming. I desperately need the courts to just open up iOS and Android. They should be treated the same as Windows. Especially when they are as big as they are (like users are in the billions; I can't stress that enough, it isn't hypocritical to have a closed ecosystem on subsidized hardware which still only services less than 200 million people at its PEAK (game consoles) vs unsubsidized hardware and operating systems that service a noticeable chunk of the world with many people having come to rely on said devices for their daily needs, heck Google and Apple's policies should be a global economic health concern for business regarding all the third parties on Google and Apple).

@darylb24 aww you beat me to it.

I don't know why but the headline made me think after almost 5 years, they were finally giving the dashboard HDR support. Sad.

Still missing console to console remote play. Since 2020 I've been able to stream my PS5 in my bedroom to my PS4 in the living room. Yet nearly 4 and a half years later I can't stream my Series X in my bedroom to my Xbox One X in the living room. Sucks.

I just tested the Remote Play through the browser and it's amazing to be able to play Xbox 360 games like that. I thought I'd never see it happening. However, I noticed some pros and cons in this method.

The pros:

• Access to the store and backwards compatible games during remote play work just fine
• It even works with Joy Cons. All the buttons worked perfectly (in contrast to the Xbox App remote play, which the ZL and ZR buttons are not recognized)

The cons:

• Some icons keep invading the screen
• The (...) button sometimes doesn't close completely
• The screen doesn't turn to landscape mode automatically
• My phone's screen kept dimming while playing with the controller
• Had some horribly bad lagging for a while

The are lots of improvements to be done, but the good things are very welcome. Finally being able to play backwards compatible games on remote play feels like a dream to me!

Finally I can buy games and redeem codes again on the app, missed these features since they were taken away years ago.

Being able to stream your owned games into a console is a game changer for massive titles like Final Fantasy XIV that require the internet anyway but now save you from installing regular updates.

I’m definitely testing out streaming 360 titles to my iPad later today too. Does remote play require a local WiFi connection or does it work anywhere?

I do have the Xbox app on my phone but never use it that much, This update definitely looks good tho. Why are they only adding the ability to buy games on it now?

Does removing the ability to stream via app apply to remote play as well?

Seems like it would be a very clunky solution for those on portables just wanting it to play. One of the reasons the steam deck is so bad at remote play is that you need to config it all to boot from the site. Its tedious and even after setup, is a clunky solution. (I used xbplay before finally dumping my steam deck due to never using it)

I just want it to work. No fiddling. This seems like the opposite direction.

Hoping Im wrong ofcourse.