Microsoft announced on Wednesday that this week it will combine features from the Xbox Game Pass program with the Xbox app for mobile devices. iOS, Android, and iPadOS users will be able to access the newly simplified Xbox software that includes Game Pass capabilities.
In November, Microsoft will also stop allowing users to download the Xbox Game Pass app. The company also unveiled a few additional Xbox-related features for PCs and consoles, such as enhancements to the PC Xbox app and Game Bar Compact Mode.
This week, Xbox beta members can download an update combining features from the Xbox Game Pass app with the Xbox app. Soon, any user will be able to access the new Xbox app. Microsoft will stop supporting new Xbox Game Pass app downloads in November.
The Xbox app will soon have features like managing your membership and exploring Microsoft’s gaming subscription service. In an Xbox Wire article on Wednesday, the company stated, “You’ll be able to browse the full Game Pass catalog to find your favorite games and stay in the loop with alerts for new games coming to the service.”
Additionally, members of Game Pass Ultimate will be able to access and utilize their benefits as well as stream a few games on iOS or Android devices through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
All users will still have access to the Xbox app’s standard features, which include social media integration, game updates, party chat during gameplay, achievement tracking, remote game installation on your console, and more.
Microsoft also verified that all PC gamers could now access Game Bar Compact Mode, which was initially shown in August, as part of its September release. The new mode, which is only accessible to Xbox Insiders at launch, improves Xbox Game Bar for Windows-based gaming handhelds and smaller screens.
On Windows, users may browse game launchers, view recently played games, record gameplay, and more using Game Bar. On smaller screens, the Compact Mode simplifies access to Game Bar widgets. Users can quit a game right from the Home widget thanks to a new functionality in Game Bar Compact Mode.
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Users can access the Game Bar Settings and activate the Compact Mode option located on the General tab to enable Game Bar Compact Mode.
Additionally, the Xbox parent company released an update for the PC Xbox app that enhances the game administration functionality. Instead of looking for available add-ons on the app, users can now view and install related add-ons for a game while installing that title. Additionally, users can control extra material or add-ons for a game by right-clicking on the installed game, choosing “Manage,” and then going to the “Add-ons” section.
