Ask anyone which they prefer in the “Android vs. iOS” battle, and the answer is likely to be a passionate one. That’s for a good reason, of course, since both platforms have a lot to offer supporters, and crucially, don’t always get the same apps, games, and features. Android, however, has a particularly large feather in its cap: The ability to stream and play Xbox games through the internet, with no console required.
Android users, with a little help from a handy Bluetooth controller, are able to play Xbox games through the wonders of cloud gaming. The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and Note 20 got early access to the service, and with their large screens and powerful hardware, they’re a perfect fit for the cloud gaming experience. But they’re not the only Android devices that can play Xbox games. Here’s how you can play Xbox games on your Android smartphone.
What you’ll need to get started
You’ll need a few things to get started streaming Xbox games to your Android device. First, you’ll need an eligible Android device. Eligible devices are equipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow or higher, and Bluetooth version 4.0 or higher. We tested it on a number of devices, and found that a relatively modern smartphone from midrange or higher should be able to cope with cloud gaming. Of course, more powerful devices will function better, but we got a number of games up and running on a Pixel 3a XL with no issues.
You’re also likely to need a Bluetooth controller. Some games work with touchscreen controls, but most require a controller. Microsoft’s Bluetooth Xbox controller is, unsurprisingly, the best choice for this, but any of our favorite controllers should work. We tested it with the GameSir G4s and it worked perfectly. However, if you’re worried about compatibility issues, we recommend buying an official Xbox controller.
Finally, you’re also going to need a steady Wi-Fi connection. Cloud gaming uses game footage streamed through the internet, so it’s an extremely data-heavy process, and you’re going to need a decent internet connection to handle it. Wi-Fi is likely to be the best choice for most, but some lucky people will be able to make use of a 5G connection to stream — but keep in mind that you’ll probably need unlimited data or a very high cap.
Once you’ve got your smartphone, controller, and Wi-Fi connection, we’re ready to begin.
Sign up for the Xbox Game Pass
Next, you’ll need to sign up for the Xbox Game Pass. But not every Xbox Games Pass level gives you access to Android cloud streaming, so make sure you’re signing up to the Ultimate tier. That will cost the princely sum of $15 a month — the most expensive tier available. However, you get a lot for your money, and if you have a PC you’ll be able to access the full library of Xbox games for Windows as well. Your first month will only cost you $1, so you’ve got a chance to figure out if it’s worth your money or not.
Download the Xbox Game Pass app, and start playing
Now that you’re signed up, you need to download the Xbox Android app. Once it’s downloaded, boot it up and sign in to your Microsoft account.
Once you’re signed in, you’ll be presented with a list of games to play — and it’s a big list. You can swap between Stream, Console, and PC, add games to your Play Later list, and select games to play now. To play a game, simply select it from the list and tap Play. After a few moments of loading — during which time your stream is being started — you’ll be transported into your game. If your chosen game requires a controller, the app will warn you before it starts, giving you the chance to connect a controller. Also, if a particular game is a favorite, and you have the storage space to spare, you can download large parts of the game file onto your device, which will make streaming the game easier. Only do this if you have a particularly large storage space though, as it’s usually several GB of data.
