Can I Share Games Between My Xbox and PC? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! Sharing games between your Xbox and PC is not only possible, but also a core feature of the Xbox ecosystem. Microsoft has designed its platforms to integrate seamlessly, offering users flexibility and convenience. The extent of sharing, however, depends on how you acquired the games and your Xbox Game Pass subscription status. This article delves into the details of game sharing between Xbox and PC, explores crossplay capabilities, and addresses common questions you might have.
Xbox Play Anywhere: Your Key to Cross-Platform Gaming
The foundation of sharing games between Xbox and PC lies in the Xbox Play Anywhere program. This feature allows you to purchase a digital game once and play it on both your Xbox console and your Windows 10/11 PC without needing to buy it twice. When you own an Xbox Play Anywhere digital title, your game progress is saved on Xbox Live. This means that you can start a game on your Xbox, then seamlessly pick up where you left off on your PC, and vice versa, retaining your saves, game add-ons, and achievements.
Game Sharing Within a Household
Beyond just playing on both platforms, you can also enable game sharing within your household on PC. If you purchase a game, and install it on your PC, then anyone who logs into that computer with their own Microsoft account will have the ability to play it (subject to your PC’s personal settings). This provides the ability for multiple users to enjoy the same game without individual purchases. However, note that if you have a Game Pass for PC, it validates the account with the subscription to play the game. So, only the subscribed account can access the games through the Game Pass on PC.
Leveraging Xbox Game Pass for Cross-Platform Play
Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also play a significant role in the cross-platform experience. While Game Pass Console gives you access to a library of games on your console, it doesn’t include multiplayer features and lacks the ability to play on a PC. PC Game Pass allows access to a catalog of Windows PC games. Game Pass Ultimate, on the other hand, combines both Console and PC libraries, including online multiplayer on consoles. It is the ultimate option for gamers who wish to take full advantage of both platforms. This makes it easy to play titles on either device with one monthly subscription.
Crossplay: Playing Together Regardless of Platform
In addition to sharing games, crossplay further expands the possibilities of gaming between Xbox and PC. Crossplay allows players on different platforms to play online multiplayer games together simultaneously. Numerous titles support this feature, including well-known games like Borderlands 3 and Diablo 4, and several others across various genres. This helps build a larger gaming community and allows you to play with friends and family no matter which device they’re using.
Managing Friend Lists Across Platforms
Adding friends to your gaming network is also seamless. You can add Xbox friends on Steam by using your in-game ID from your profile to find each other and connect. Similarly, you can add friends directly from your Xbox app on PC by searching for their gamertags. This integration ensures you can stay connected with your friends, no matter what they play.
How to Share and Access Games
Here are some ways to share and access your games:
- Xbox Play Anywhere Titles: Purchase them digitally and enjoy them on both platforms using the same Microsoft account.
- Household Game Sharing on PC: Any user who logs into your PC can play digitally purchased games.
- Family Groups: Create a Microsoft Family Group to share games across family accounts, using guidance provided by Microsoft.
- Game Pass Sharing: Designate a primary console as your “home Xbox” to enable others to play games covered by your Game Pass subscription on the same console.
Steam and Xbox Integration
Although Steam is not directly integrated into the Xbox console environment, there are ways to access your Steam library on Xbox. Nvidia’s GeForce Now service can be accessed through Microsoft Edge browsers on Xbox consoles. This method allows you to stream Steam games to your Xbox. Furthermore, your progress is linked to your Xbox Live account. This means that items earned and progress made with your Microsoft Account on Steam will also be available through your Xbox. You can even add non-Steam games to your Steam library to keep them all in one place. This will only add a shortcut to your game, though.
STOP Buying Games: Consider Xbox Game Pass
The increasing value of Xbox Game Pass means that many players can enjoy a wide range of games without individual purchases. This allows you to enjoy a large catalog of games on both Xbox and PC, as long as you are a subscriber.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions that will help you to further understand sharing between Xbox and PC:
Can I game share from an Xbox to a PC?
Yes. When you play an Xbox Play Anywhere game, your game progress is saved on Xbox Live. So, you can pick up where you left off on another Xbox or Windows 10/11 PC, bringing all your saves, game add-ons and achievements with you.
Can you cross play between Xbox and PC?
Yes, many games support crossplay, allowing players on Xbox and PC to play together in online multiplayer modes. Popular titles such as Borderlands 3 and Diablo 4 offer this feature.
Can I share my Xbox games with family on PC?
If you purchase a game digitally, then you can install it on your PC, and anyone else that signs into that computer will be able to play it (depending on your personal settings for the PC). But Game Pass for PC validates the account with the subscription to play the game.
Will Steam come to Xbox?
Nvidia’s GeForce Now service has been extended to Microsoft Edge browsers, which opens the door to Steam libraries being played through the cloud on Xbox.
Can you add Xbox friends on steam?
Yes, you can add Xbox friends on Steam by using your in game ID from your profile. Just get your ID, and share it with your Xbox friends, and have them add you using it, or vice versa.
How do I share games on my PC?
To enable Family Library Sharing, first be sure you have Steam Guard security enabled via Steam > Settings > Account in the Steam Client. Then enable the sharing feature via Settings > Family, (or in Big Picture mode, Settings > Family Library Sharing,) where you’ll also authorize specific computers and users to share.
Can you share Microsoft games on PC?
You can create a Microsoft Family group and share the games. To do this, refer the article on Sharing Windows 10 Store Apps with your Family.
Can I share my Xbox Game Pass?
Yes, you can share your Xbox Game Pass benefits. By setting a console as your “home Xbox,” anyone who signs in to that console will have access to your Game Pass subscription.
What does linking Steam to Xbox do?
Linking your accounts enables game progress to be linked to your Xbox Live account. So progress made and items earned using that account on other platforms will also be available through Steam.
How do I add Xbox games to Steam?
Go to Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library and choose the game you want to add. If it’s not listed, click Browse and find the game. Click Add Selected Programs and the game will now be listed in your Steam library. This only adds a shortcut to your game.
What happens if you add a non Steam game to Steam?
This will only add a shortcut to your game in the Steam client. This will not allow you to download updates for your game through Steam, nor allow you to use this game as proof of ownership for your Steam account.
Can people with Steam and Xbox play together?
Yes, cross-platform play is supported between Xbox platforms, Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam & Epic Games Store).
How do I add friends on Xbox from PC?
Add friends on the Xbox app for PC by signing in, selecting the Friends tab, and searching for their gamertag.
Is Xbox Live Gold still a thing?
No, Xbox Live Gold has transitioned to Xbox Game Pass Core. This new subscription still allows you to access online console multiplayer, but also includes a selection of games.
How do I keep game pass games forever?
Games you install using Xbox Game Pass remain playable once they’ve left the Game Pass catalog only when you buy them—and you get a discount when you buy games as an Xbox Game Pass subscriber. When you buy games at a discount, those games are yours to keep.
This article has shown that sharing games between your Xbox and PC is not just possible but designed to be seamless and user-friendly. By understanding the features like Xbox Play Anywhere, crossplay, and Game Pass, you can take full advantage of both platforms for an optimal gaming experience.