Imagine this—a hot new game drops for the Xbox®, but you're out of town visiting your in-laws. You have access to a computer but not your console. Can you play Xbox games on a PC? Or will you be stuck away from home with major FOMO?
The good news: There are several ways to play Xbox without a console, and some of them let you play on your PC, tablet, even your cell phone. We'll walk you through your options.
At Asurion, we solve life's tech problems so you don't have to—whether we're fixing, protecting, and troubleshooting your devices or teaching you how to get the most out of your gadgets. Here's how to play Xbox games on PC.
How to use Xbox Play Anywhere
Buying an Xbox Play Anywhere® digital version of a game from the Xbox or Microsoft Store®, lets you play it on your console or a computer with the Windows™ operating system (10 or later). And if you start a game on your console but want to dive in later on a PC (or vice versa), you can pick up where you left off.
Xbox Play Anywhere doesn't cost extra, but you'll want to make sure that the game is listed as Play Anywhere when you buy it.
To access Xbox Play Anywhere, follow these steps:
- Head to the Xbox Play Anywhere website and log in to your Microsoft account.
- Buy or install games with the Xbox Play Anywhere digital game license. Once you download the game, you can launch it directly from the Microsoft Store® on your PC.
It’s not game over—yet
If your console stops working, we’ll handle the repairs. Make an appointment, or visit your nearest store today.
Stream directly from your console with Xbox Remote Play
Another way to play Xbox on your PC is Xbox Remote Play®. This option lets you stream games directly from your console to your computer, tablet, or even your smartphone.
Here's what you'll need:
- A phone, tablet, or PC that's updated with the latest software.
- An Xbox Series X/S® or an Xbox One®
- A compatible wireless controller
- The Xbox app
- An internet connection
To set up your console and other devices for remote play, follow these steps.
On your console:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Select Profile & system > Settings > Devices & connections > Remote features.
- Select Enable remote features.
- Under Power options, select Sleep. If your console doesn't have Sleep turned on, remote play won't work.
On your phone or tablet:
- Open the Xbox app.
- Tap the My Library icon > Consoles.
- Select the console you want to connect to, then press Remote play on this device.
On your PC:
- Open the Xbox app for Windows.
- Tap the Consoles icon next to the search box, and select your console.
When playing remotely, make sure you save your game frequently in case you get disconnected from your console or the internet.
Sign up for Xbox Ultimate Game Pass
If you want to play Xbox games without a console, the Xbox Ultimate Game Pass might be right for you. It's a monthly subscription service that lets you download and play a rotating catalog of games on the cloud, which means you don't have to own a console and don't have to buy games individually. Just make sure you buy the Ultimate Game Pass and not the Standard Game Pass, which doesn't offer cloud gaming.
Play Xbox Games on Steam
Want to play Xbox and non-Xbox games alike on your PC? Steam® might be right for you. It's an online gaming platform that gives you access to hundreds of games in one place. You can even take your games on the go with the Steam deck, a handheld gaming console.
The only downside: Since Steam is a separate service, you can't access any saved game files you might already have on your Xbox.
Having trouble with your Xbox? Check out our guide to fixing common Xbox issues.
