A report earlier this week indicated that Microsoft’s new Xbox app would come to iOS with support for streaming Xbox games to your iPhone. The app is now available in beta, and The Verge has a hands-on look at how it works.

First and foremost, what’s important to note here is that the new Xbox app is not the same as Microsoft’s xCloud streaming game service. Here’s how the two compare:

On your Mac, search for SofaPlay in the Mac App Store and download it. Now on your Xbox One, open the Xbox Video. If you do not have Xbox Video on your homescreen, scroll your way to the extreme right until you see the search bar. Search for Xbox Video there. Now on your Mac, open SofaPlay and select the Xbox-SystemOS from the dropdown list. Xbox One is more than just a gaming console. While we Mac users have long awaited Microsoft to give us an official Xbox app for MacOS (much like the Windows 10 version), I have been trying to find a way to emulate the Xbox app on Mac, for useful input into in-game text chat in games like Warframe when it can get very tiresome to use the app on a phone. OneCast is a new Mac app that lets you stream your Xbox One games directly to Mac. By using the same protocol Microsoft uses for Windows, it delivers super-sharp 1080p video in fullscreen. The Xbox streaming option is distinct from Microsoft's xCloud service, which it has been clashing with Apple over. XCloud is designed to stream games from Microsoft's servers, while the Xbox.

• The new Xbox app lets you stream games from your Xbox One console to your iPhone
• Microsoft’s Cloud service lets you stream games directly from servers, no Xbox One console required.

You cannot stream these games from the cloud using the Xbox app — this service requires the Xbox Games Pass app. Microsoft still lists this service as a beta, so expect some issues for now.

Microsoft and Apple have engaged in a public dispute over whether or not streaming game services should be available through the App Store, with Microsoft balking at Apple’s stringent requirements. The new Xbox app is a new solution that at least brings remote gaming capabilities to Xbox console owners.

The Verge details how the app connects to your home Xbox One console:

You will be able to access an Xbox console over Wi-Fi, or even an LTE or 5G connection, too. As this app takes control of your home Xbox, you can remotely start your console outside of your home. The Xbox will start up without a sound or the Xbox light at the front, and when you disconnect, it goes back into standby after a brief period of inactivity.

In addition to playing games from your Xbox on your iPhone, the new Xbox application also allows you to download and share game clips and screenshots, manage settings and storage, and delete games.

Here is a short video showing how the Xbox app works on iPhone, including how to connect directly to the Xbox One console and play:

There’s no public release date for the new Xbox app for iPhone users just yet, but it should be available soon. The beta is running through Apple’s TestFlight platform, but there are currently no open spots.

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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.

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.”

Xbox Download On Mac

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 Streaming Mac Software

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.