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The evolution of the gaming industry is significantly impacting console gaming. The more this industry is going through technological advancement, the more remote gaming is getting popular. Recently, Microsoft’s April 2025 Xbox update has highlighted this point prominently. The April 2025 Xbox update has introduced a range of features designed to enhance the gaming experience across mobile devices, consoles, and PCs.
The attractive parts of this highlight include the ability to buy games directly from the Xbox mobile app. Additionally, players can access Steam-owned games via the cloud on consoles and get access to an enriched gaming library on PC. This update provides gamers with more flexibility regarding purchasing and playing games.
With the current update, the Xbox mobile app has been updated to allow users to access and purchase games, DLCs, and Game Pass subscriptions using their smartphones. Well, it's not yet officially released, but it's at the best testing period on iOS and Android. Soon it will enter the official launch phase for all the users.
If one is a little confused, with this feature enabled, one can now purchase games with two taps. Even they can set them to pre-install on their consoles remotely. This has opened a new avenue to simplify the purchase process. Additionally, it makes it more convenient for users to acquire new content without the requirement to access their consoles.
However, it's important to note that the introduction of this purchasing capability comes with the removal of Remote Play support within the mobile app. Users who wish to utilize Remote Play can still do so via mobile browsers or through other devices like supported Samsung TVs, Amazon Fire TV, and Meta Quest headsets.
One of the heftier updates is the inclusion of the "Stream Your Own Game" feature, allowing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to stream certain games they own directly on their Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One console. This feature allows an individual to access the game without having to download it.
It helps them save space on the hard drive and allows quicker access. This feature is rather helpful for Xbox One users, giving them access to more recent titles that may otherwise be exclusive to the Series X/S thanks to the cloud streaming ability.
To use this feature, navigate to
My games & apps > Full library > Owned Games
When doing this, games that are available for cloud streaming will display a "cloud badge" on their game page. Users can also filter their library by selecting:
Choose Filter > Ready to play > Cloud gaming
This functionality inclined the gaming experience by providing more flexibility in how and where users can play their games.
The Xbox app on PC has also been updated with a plethora of new features, including game hubs such as information on individual games, stats, achievements, and active friends. These serve as hubs for tracking spectator progress and feeling connection with the community.
Well, it is now clear that the newest additions to the cloud streaming library of Microsoft include games like Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed and Subnautica 2, which give even more options for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers on cloud gaming.
April 2025 will reckon the launch of an Xbox update that brings considerable challenges to Microsoft in developing a more communal and simpler gaming environment. With this capability, game purchases through the mobile app are expected, and the streaming of purchased games on the consoles will be on the cloud platform.
Even better, game hubs on PC will be enhanced to leverage these functions. They will convenience game players in many ways. The updates are said to be streamlining the gaming experience, showing that Microsoft is evolving with the market and changing requirements.
