The free Xbox app is the best way to stay in the game—wherever you like to play.Download the new Xbox app and stay connected to friends & games.Easily share game clips & screenshots to your favorite social networks.Use integrated voice and text chat with friends on console or PC.Play games from your console straight to your phone over. If you own an Xbox One, you can stream it to a Mac using this premium app. It’s not officially distributed by Microsoft, so there may come a day when it stomps the life out of this great.

1. Xbox Live Mac App

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.

The Xbox app keeps you connected to your gaming community on your phone or tablet. Easily share game clips & screenshots, chat, view achievements, and get notifications. Plus, play games from your console. Compatible with iOS version 10 or higher and Android version 6.0 or higher.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

See which wireless controllers are supported

• Xbox Wireless Controller with Bluetooth (Model 1708)
• Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
• Xbox Adaptive Controller
• Xbox Wireless Controller Series S and Series X

Pair a controller to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac

1. Press the Xbox button to turn on your controller.
2. Press and hold the Connect button for a few seconds to put your controller into pairing mode.
3. Follow the steps to pair a controller to your iOS or iPadOS device, Apple TV, or Mac.

If your controller doesn’t connect or work as expected

Xbox Live Mac App

• Unpair it, then pair it again. If you still can't pair or connect, get help pairing your Bluetooth accessory to your iOS device.
• Make sure that you're not trying to connect too many Bluetooth accessories at once. Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD support up to two of the same kind of controller at once, or one controller with a combination of Bluetooth audio devices. Other controller and audio Bluetooth limits vary by device.
• Check that the firmware on your controller is up to date.
• Some controller functions aren't supported when paired with an Apple device, including the controller's audio jack. Contact Apple Support for more details.