Xbox · Apps

Stream your own console's games to a PC, phone, or tablet

Xbox Remote Play streams gameplay from games already installed on your console to the Xbox app on Windows, iOS, or Android over the internet — distinct from cloud gaming (xCloud), which streams from Microsoft's servers and requires a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Remote Play just needs your console powered on (or in standby) and reachable over the network.

How to open Remote Play

  1. Connect the console to the router via Ethernet or 5GHz Wi-Fi rather than 2.4GHz.
  2. Pause any large downloads or updates on the console before starting a session.
  3. In the Xbox app's stream settings, lower the resolution/bitrate manually if the stream is stuttering rather than letting it auto-negotiate on a weak connection.

What you should know

  • On the console, go to Settings → Devices & connections → Remote features and turn on "Enable remote features."
  • Make sure the console's power mode allows it to stay reachable in standby — check Settings → General → Power mode & startup.
  • On your phone, tablet, or PC, install the Xbox app, sign in with the same Microsoft account, select your console under Devices → Remote Play, and tap Play.
  • Pair a compatible Bluetooth controller directly to the streaming device for the lowest input latency, rather than relying on on-screen touch controls.

Why it matters

Remote Play lets you keep playing your own installed games and save progress away from the TV — on a laptop, phone, or tablet — using games you already own, without paying for a cloud-gaming subscription.

Best practices

  • Use a 5GHz Wi-Fi band or wired Ethernet on the console side — 2.4GHz Wi-Fi is the most common cause of a laggy Remote Play stream.
  • Close other bandwidth-heavy activity on the same network (downloads, 4K streaming) while remote playing.
  • Keep the console on "Instant-on" power mode so it stays reachable for Remote Play without needing someone at home to turn it on manually.

Common problems and fixes

Console shows offline and Remote Play won't connect
Confirm "Enable remote features" is still on and the console is in standby (Instant-on), not fully powered off or on Energy-saving shutdown.
Stream is laggy or keeps dropping resolution
Lower the streaming quality manually in the Xbox app, move the streaming device closer to Wi-Fi, or avoid public/hotel networks that throttle or block the required ports.

Tips and tricks

  • Remote Play works over cellular data as well as Wi-Fi — just watch your data usage, since sustained high-quality streaming can use several GB per hour.

Frequently asked questions

Is Remote Play the same as cloud gaming?

No — Remote Play streams from your own console using games already installed there, while cloud gaming (xCloud) streams from Microsoft's servers and requires a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.