Microsoft's Xbox App on iOS Brings Remote Play Functionality to iPhones and iPads

Microsoft has not yet worked out xCloud with Apple, which means players will still need an Xbox One to stream games to their handheld iOS device.

Advertisement
By Vineet Washington | Updated: 20 October 2020 15:01 IST
Highlights
  • Microsoft adds remote play feature to Xbox app on iOS
  • It allows iPhone and iPad users to stream games from their Xbox One
  • Microsoft’s Xbox app allows users to share screenshots and clips

Xbox app is available for free on both Android and iOS

Photo Credit: App Store

Microsoft's Xbox app on iOS now supports streaming Xbox One games on iPhone and iPad. The new feature allows you to remotely play a game that is running on your Xbox One on your iPhone or iPad. The updated app brings several other changes and improvements as well. This Xbox remote play feature in the Xbox app is not a replacement for bringing xCloud to iOS, but is Microsoft's version of streaming games running on a console to a smartphone. The functionality is similar to Sony's Remote Play app for the PlayStation 4. Microsoft had already brought a similar feature to its Android beta in September, and it is now part of the official release as well.

The updated Xbox app available on the App Store brings game streaming to iPhone and iPad, along with some other features. The app has been updated on Android as well. It is available for free on both the App Store and Google Play store, after being launched in beta last month.

It allows users to set up a new console and queue games, view and share game clips, and party chat with friends. However, the most notable feature is Xbox remote play. This allows users to run a game on their Xbox One and then play it on their iPad or iPhone through the Xbox app. It streams whatever game is running on the console to an iOS device via Wi-Fi, LTE, or even 5G, as pointed out by The Verge.

Advertisement

You can also use the app to install games on your console, uninstall them to free up space, or navigate through the console without using a controller.

Advertisement

The Xbox remote play feature works on supported phones and tablets, and support Bluetooth controllers. But it only works for supported games. This will also allow users to stream games from the upcoming Xbox Series X. However, the report by The Verge notes that older Xbox 360 and original Xbox games cannot be streamed remotely to iOS or Android devices.

While this remote play feature requires you to have an Xbox One, xCloud is the service that will allow players to stream games on their phones and other devices without having to purchase a console. But, Apple and Microsoft are not on the same page when it comes to xCloud on iOS devices. Apple demands that Microsoft submit each and every app to the App Store so that it can be tested, but Microsoft refuses to do so.

Advertisement


Will Xbox Series S, PS5 Digital Edition fail in India? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.

 

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Microsoft, Apple, Xbox, Xbox remote play
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Vivo Y31 Series With 6,500mAh Battery Launched in India: See Price
  2. Samsung Begins Rolling Out One UI 8 Update to the Galaxy S25 Series
  3. Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale: Discounts on Motorola Phones Announced
  4. iOS 26 Update Brings These New Features to AirPods Pro 3, Pro 2, AirPods 4
  5. Samsung Galaxy S25 FE With 50-Megapixel Camera Launched in India: See Price
  6. Check What's New for Your iPhone in Apple's Latest iOS 26 Update
  7. Vivo V60e 5G Design, Price Leaked; May Use Same Chip as Vivo V50e
  8. iQOO 15 Live Image Leaked; Company Reveals Display Details
  9. Oppo F31 Pro+ 5G Review
  10. GTA 6 Will Be the 'Largest Game Launch in History', Says Rockstar Games
  1. Apple Adds New and Upgraded Apple Intelligence Features for iPhone, iPad and Mac Devices
  2. MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Launch Date Announced; Company Designs Its First Chip Using TSMC’s 2nm Process
  3. Vivo V60e 5G Design, Price in India Leaked; Said to Feature 6,500mAh Battery, Dimensity 7300 SoC
  4. Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale: Poco F7 5G Price to Drop Under Rs. 30,000, Discounts on Poco X7, M7 Series Revealed
  5. Bitcoin Holds Near $115,800 as Altcoins Face Selling Pressure
  6. GTA 6 Will Be the 'Largest Game Launch in History', Says Rockstar Games
  7. Google Says India Is Leading the Nano Banana Trend; Shares Tips on How You Can Start the Next One
  8. watchOS 26 Rolled Out With Workout Buddy, Hypertension Notifications and Liquid Glass Design
  9. Xiaomi 17 Pro Series Confirmed to Feature Rear Display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC
  10. Nothing Raises $200 Million in Series C Funding, Plans to Launch AI-Focused Devices
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.