Xbox and Game Pass apps are combined into one app on iOS and Android
Microsoft said Wednesday that it would merge features from the Xbox Game Pass app with the Xbox app on mobile platforms this week. The new streamlined Xbox app with Game Pass features will be available on iOS, Android and iPadOS. Microsoft will also stop all downloads of the Xbox Game Pass app starting in November. In addition, the company announced a number of other Xbox-related features for PC and consoles, including Game Bar Compact Mode and improvements to the Xbox app on PC.
Xbox app to get Game Pass features
Features from the Xbox Game Pass app are being combined with the Xbox app as part of an update available this week to Xbox beta members on mobile. The new all-in-one Xbox app will be available to all users soon. Starting in November, Microsoft will no longer support new downloads of the Xbox Game Pass app.
Some of the features coming to the Xbox app include the ability to explore Microsoft’s game subscription service and manage your membership. “You can browse the entire Game Pass catalog to find your favorite games and stay informed with alerts for new games coming to the service,” the company said in an Xbox Wire after Wednesday.
Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can also view and claim their benefits, and stream select games via Xbox Cloud Gaming on iOS or Android.
The regular features of the Xbox app remain the same for all users, including social features, game updates, party chat while gaming, the ability to monitor performance and remotely install games to your console, and more.
Xbox updates on PC
As part of the September update, Microsoft also confirmed that Game Bar Compact Mode, first announced in August, was now available to all PC players. Initially available to Xbox Insiders, the new mode optimizes the Xbox Game Bar for smaller screens and Windows-based gaming handhelds.
Game Bar allows players on Windows to view recently played games, access game launchers, capture gameplay footage and more. Compact mode provides simplified access to Game Bar widgets on smaller screens. Thanks to a new feature in Game Bar Compact Mode, users can now quit a game directly from the Home widget.
To enable Game Bar’s Compact Mode, users can go to the Game Bar settings and enable the Compact Mode toggle under the General tab.
Users can view and manage add-ons in one place
Photo credits: Microsoft
The Xbox parent has also rolled out an update to the Xbox app on PC that improves the game management experience on the app. Users can now view and install related add-ons for a game while installing that title, instead of searching for available add-ons within the app. Users can also manage add-ons or additional content for a game by right-clicking on an installed title, selecting “Manage” and going to the “Add-ons” section.
Improved game management on Xbox consoles
On Xbox consoles, players can now pre-download game updates and start playing as soon as the update is live. You can do this by going to My games & apps on an Xbox console, then selecting Manage, then Updates. Here users can see all available pre-downloads for their games. This feature is currently supported on select games and will be available for more titles later.
Finally, Xbox users will now be notified when a Wishlist game is released, joins Game Pass, or becomes available as part of a Free Play Day promotion.
