Xbox April 2025 updates

This month's Xbox update introduces several new features and enhancements across mobile and console devices.

The Xbox app on mobile will soon allow users to directly purchase games and add-on content, join Xbox Game Pass, and redeem Perks. This functionality will initially roll out to beta users on iOS and Android, with wider availability on the Google Play Store for Android and the Apple Store to follow. For users with saved payment information, a "Buy" button will appear on game detail pages, enabling two-click purchases.

Xbox consoles are receiving an update that enables Game Pass Ultimate members to stream select games they own, in addition to the Game Pass library. This feature expands the previously announced device support and allows users to play games without requiring full downloads and installations. To access this, users can navigate to "My games & apps" > "Full library" > "Owned Games," where cloud-playable titles will be marked with a cloud badge. Filtering options are available to expedite the discovery of cloud-playable games. Streaming can also be initiated directly from the Store app after purchasing eligible titles. The "Stream your own game" collection via Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) now includes over 100 titles, with more additions planned.

Access to Xbox Remote Play is being consolidated to the web via xbox.com/remoteplay, and will no longer be directly accessible through the Xbox app on mobile. However, Xbox remote play will become available on more devices, including supported Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices, and Meta Quest headsets. Backward compatible games from the original Xbox and Xbox 360 will also be streamable via remote play.

A new storage management feature is being implemented on all Xbox consoles. Located in "My Games & Apps > Manage > Free up space," this tool will provide recommendations for removing unused add-ons, shrinkable games, duplicate game copies, and games no longer accessible to the user.

New game hubs are being introduced on Xbox consoles, providing information such as player stats, achievements, friends playing, recent captures, available add-ons, and events. For a subset of players, these hubs will appear upon selecting a game. A new setting in personalization settings or "My games & apps > Manage > Games & apps" allows users to bypass game hubs and launch games directly.