- Playing Xbox Games On Mac
- How To Play Xbox On Your Mac
- How To Play Your Xbox On Pc
- Xbox Games On Macbook
Sony is expanding the PlayStation 4’s Remote Play feature to PC and Mac, letting users stream their console games to laptops and desktops.
The new feature is part of a PlayStation 3.50 software update that’s set to launch on Wednesday. After getting the update, PS4 owners can download the Remote Play PC installer from Sony’s website.
To stream games, users will need a PC running Windows 8.1 or higher, or a Mac running OS X 10.10 or higher. A DualShock 4 controller must be plugged into the computer via USB.
In the event you lack access to a router, you can connect your Xbox 360 to your Mac so you can play games using your Mac’s wireless Internet connection. You can establish a connection between your Xbox 360 and Mac by modifying system preferences on both your computer and the Xbox 360. 2) Play Xbox Games by Streaming (Xbox → PC → Quest) With this method you will need your Xbox One console, which we will use to stream the content to your PC (via Xbox gaming companion). From there it is possible to mirror your PC desktop (Xbox games in this case) to the Quest / Quest 2 headsets using the Virtual Desktop application. Connect the other end into the Laptop’s HDMI port. If the HDMI port supports the input signals, then this connection is going to work. Close any unnecessary windows on your laptop so that it functions properly when the Xbox is turned on. Now connect the Xbox One to the power source and turn the machine on. Play games from your console straight to your PC, phone or tablet over the internet with Xbox remote play. Play your Xbox games on phone and tablet Play games installed on your Xbox console, including Xbox Game Pass titles, to any compatible Android or iOS device.
Why this matters: Until now, Sony has required either a PlayStation Vita handheld or PlayStation TV set-top box to remotely stream PS4 games. Neither device has been a strong seller, so expanding Remote Play to PC makes sense. While there’s nothing like playing a game natively on a big TV, PC streaming can be helpful when someone’s using that TV for something else, or you want to hang out in a different part of the house.
PC streaming: Xbox vs. PlayStation 4
The PlayStation 4 isn’t the only console to support streaming on a PC. Last year, Microsoft added a similar feature to the Xbox One, and it’s in some ways better and worse than Sony’s version.
Unlike Microsoft, which requires a PC running Windows 10, Sony is also supporting Mac and Windows 8.1. Remote Play for PlayStation 4 works over the Internet as well, so you can stream games from outside the house. The Xbox One only supports home network streaming, unless you rely on an unofficial, complicated workaround.
However, the Xbox One currently supports a higher streaming quality than the PlayStation 4, with up to 1080p and 60 frames per second on its “Very High” setting. Sony’s Remote Play tops out at 720p and 60 frames per second, and defaults to 540p and 30 frames per second.
In my experience, Xbox One to PC streaming has been smooth and nearly lag-free, even on Very High settings. (Valve’s PC-to-PC In-Home-Streaming has also worked well.) Hopefully Sony can provide a similar experience when PC Remote Play launches on Wednesday.
Updated 06/28/21: Xbox Cloud Gaming through the browser is now available to all Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. This article has been updated throughout with the latest information from Microsoft.
Last year, we wrote about how Apple’s restrictive App Store rules would cause millions of gamers to miss out on Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming service (née xCloud). Microsoft later updated the Xbox app to stream games over your local network from your own Xbox, but that’s not the same thing as a cloud gaming service where you don’t need to download or install games at all.
Playing Xbox Games On Mac
After months of hand-wringing and probably back-room negotiations, Microsoft finally announced that it would build a web-based solution for devices on which it can’t provide an app, like iPhone and iPad. After a short invite-only beta period, Microsoft has announced that all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can now enjoy Xbox Cloud Gaming on Mac, iPhone, or iPad. To play, simply visit xbox.com/play using Edge, Chrome, or Safari browsers on your Apple device.
How To Play Xbox On Your Mac
Most games are made to be played with a controller, but Apple’s devices support modern Xbox controllers just fine. Just sync it to your Mac as you would any Bluetooth device, or plug in via USB. On iPhone or iPad, we have a guide to pairing your Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S controller.
In addition to the broad availability of Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly code-named xCloud) to all subscribers, Microsoft has upgraded the servers that run the games in the cloud to new hardware based on the Xbox Series X. This means faster performance, much quicker loading times, and better visual quality. Games will stream at 1080p and 60fps, but the company says that “Going forward we’ll continue to innovate and add more features to enhance your cloud gaming experience.”
How To Play Your Xbox On Pc
On Xbox, all saved games are always synced to the cloud, as is other user data like friends lists and achievements. So everything you do on a console will be there waiting for you in the cloud, and vice-versa.
Xbox Games On Macbook
The Xbox Cloud Gaming expansion comes along with an expansion of Xbox-ready game accessories for iPhones. The popular Razer Kishi controller, originally only for Android phones, now has an MFi-certified version for iPhones. The new Backbone One controller for iPhone features a dedicated button to launch the Xbox Cloud Gaming web app. For a limited time, Microsoft is offering three-month free trial to new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with the purchase of either controller.