What You Need
It goes without saying, but you’ll need to have an Xbox Series X or S. You will also need a Bluetooth-enabled controller, such as the Xbox Series X/S controller. Finally, you’ll need an Android or iOS device – either a phone or a tablet. If you opt for an Android device, you’ll need to make sure it’s running Android 6.0 or above. If you want to use an Apple device, you need to make sure it’s running iOS 10 or above. Furthermore, you need to make sure that your device of choice supports Bluetooth 4.0 or above.
Enable Instant On Mode on Your Xbox Series X/S
In order to start playing games remotely on your Android or iOS device, the first thing you’ll need to do is enable the Xbox Series X/S “instant on” mode. Instant On mode is designed to reduce wait times when starting up your console and jumping into a game. Essentially, it puts your Xbox Series X/S into a low-powered standby mode. The reason we need to enable this feature is so that you can wake up your Xbox Series X/S from the Xbox Remote Play app. To enable “Instant On” mode, press the Xbox button in the center of your controller, which opens the guide. From the guide, select “Profile & system -> Settings -> General -> Power mode & start-up.” Next, from the “Power mode” drop-down menu, select “Instant On.”
Set Up Remote Play on Your Xbox Series X/S
Now that you’ve enabled Instant On mode on your Xbox Series X/S, you’ll need to set up the remote play feature. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. From there, navigate to “Profile & system -> Settings -> Device & connections -> Remote features.” Simply check the box to enable remote features. You can also check that your Xbox Series X/S has Instant On mode enabled under “Power mode.” Remember, Instant On must be enabled in order for Remote Play features to function. If you switch the power mode back to “Energy-saving,” it will automatically disable the remote play features. At this stage it’s a good idea to select “Test remote play.” Your Xbox Series X/S will run some diagnostics to determine if your Internet connection is up to snuff for game streaming. When it’s done running tests, it will provide you with information that may impact performance. This is particularly useful if you’re thinking about playing outside of the home.
Download the Xbox App and Pair to the Xbox Series X/S
With the remote play features turned on, you’ll now have to turn your attention to your Android or iOS device. The first thing you need to do is grab the Xbox app for Android or iOS. With the app downloaded and installed, go ahead and launch it. When you first start the app, it will ask you to sign in. Use the same user account and password that you used to set up your Xbox Series X/S. Once you’ve logged in to the app, tap on the “Library” tab and then “Consoles.” Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see anything here. You’ll need to tap on the button labeled “Set Up A Console” before the app can link with your Xbox Series X/S. Just follow the on-screen instructions and you’ll have the app and your console talking to each other in no time.
Connect a Controller to Your Android/iOS Device
Now that the Xbox app and your Xbox Series X/S console are linked, you’ll need to connect a controller to your Android or iOS device. You can use the Xbox Series X/S controller; however, you don’t have to. Any Bluetooth controller will suffice. For instance, you can opt to use a DualShock 4 or a 3rd gen Xbox One controller, and it will work just fine. Connecting the controller to your device will vary depending on your controller of choice. However, the way to go about it is to put your controller into discovery mode. Subsequently, jump into the Bluetooth settings of your phone and search for available devices. When your controller pops up, simply tap on it to complete the pairing process.
Launch Games via the Xbox App
To start playing, fire up the Xbox app on your device. Now that your Xbox Series X/S console is linked with the app, you should see a console icon on the right of the screen. Tap on that and a menu will appear. Tap on “Remote play on this device.” Your phone or tablet will then connect to your Xbox Series X/S console. Once you see the Xbox Series X/S dashboard on your device, you’re ready to start playing! Now that you have streamed your XBox Series X games to your mobile device, the last thing to do is simply enjoy your games.
