With the growing popularity of mobile gaming, playing Xbox games on your iPhone has never been more accessible. With iOS 16 and Xbox Game Pass, you can now enjoy your favorite Xbox games on the go. In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to set up and play Xbox games on iPhone.
Apple and Xbox have come a long way in bridging their differences, and now you can stream and play Xbox games on your iPhone using Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Remote Play. With the introduction of Game Center on the iPhone 14 Series, Apple has expanded its gaming capabilities.
To enjoy console games on your mobile device, you need to be an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, which costs $1 USD for the first month for new subscribers, and $15 USD per month for second subscribers. Read on to learn how to stream and play Xbox games on iPhone.
What is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a subscription service combining Xbox Game Pass for consoles, Xbox Game Pass for PC, and Xbox Live Gold. It offers a vast game library, cloud gaming on Android and iOS devices, online multiplayer, and exclusive discounts, providing a comprehensive gaming experience across multiple platforms.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Large game library
- Cloud gaming on multiple devices
- Multiplatform access
- Online multiplayer and discounts
- Free monthly games
Cons:
- Subscription cost is high
- High-speed Internet required
- Limited iOS support
The Ultimate Xbox Live Gold Pass gives you access to over 100 console and PC games. With new games added frequently, exclusive offers, discounts, and advanced multiplayer networking, it’s a great way to find and play with new friends.
Basic Requirements of Xbox Gaming
Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) allows you to play over 100 console games on Android, iPhone, iPad, and Windows devices without the need for an Xbox console. Xbox owners can easily access their favorite games remotely.
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership ($1 for the first month, $14.99/month thereafter)
- iPhone with iOS 14.4 or later and iPad with iPadOS 14.4 or later, and Bluetooth 4.0 or later
- Stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection (5 GHz Wi-Fi or LTE recommended)
- Compatible Xbox controller (Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S controller)
- Compatible devices: iPhone XR and above, iPad Air 3rd/4th Gen, iPad Pro 11″ 2nd Gen and above, iPad 8th Gen, iPad mini 5th Gen
- Supported browsers: Safari 14, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge
- Internet connection: 10 Mbps or more for iPhone, 20 Mbps or more for iPad
- Xbox Cloud Gaming beta is available only in select regions.
- Only one console and account can be supported at a time.
How to Play Xbox Games on iPhone
For this first, you will need to set up cloud gaming on your iPhone and then you can stream and play Xbox games on your iPhone. Follow the steps below to set up cloud gaming on your iPhone.
Set Up Xbox Gaming on iOS
- Open the App Store on your iPhone and search for “Xbox Game Pass”.
- Download and install the Xbox Game Pass app.
- Open the Xbox Game Pass app.
- Give all necessary permission.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account associated with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
- Navigate to the “My Library” tab.
- Find the “Cloud Gaming” section and tap “Enable” to activate it.
Connecting a Controller to iPhone
First Press and hold the Xbox button on your controller to turn it on. Press and hold the pairing button on your controller (located at the top) until the Xbox button starts flashing rapidly. Then follow these steps
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
- Tap “Bluetooth”.
- Ensure Bluetooth is enabled.
- Find your Xbox controller under “Other Devices” and tap on it to connect.
Streaming Xbox Games on Your iPhone
- Open the Xbox Game Pass app on your iPhone.
- Browse through the available games or find your favorite game.
- Tap on a game to view its details.
- Tap the “Play” button on the game’s detail page.
- The game will start streaming to your iPhone, and you can now play it using your connected controller.
Conclusion
Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate have revolutionized the gaming experience by allowing users to play Xbox on iPhone. With an ever-growing library of games, advanced multiplayer networking, and cloud gaming capabilities, players can enjoy a seamless and versatile gaming experience. Despite some limitations like regional availability and system requirements, Xbox Cloud Gaming allows users to access their favorite games across multiple platforms.
FAQ
Do I need a specific Xbox controller to play games on my iPhone?
You need a Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S controller. Older Xbox 360 controllers are not compatible.
Can I play without an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription?
No, you need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to access cloud gaming and play Xbox games on your iPhone.