Xbox August Update: Cross-Device Play History, Controller Updates, and More

As part of our continuing effort at Xbox to deliver more meaningful and fun gaming moments, however you play, we’re bringing some exciting improvements across devices in this month’s update. Soon, you will be able to more easily sync your gameplay with cross-device play history, along with cloud-playable games now appearing in your play history. With the new My apps tab in the Xbox PC app, you can quickly launch your favorite apps or games from multiple storefronts. Gaming Copilot (Beta) for Game Bar on Windows 11 is now in preview and is designed to be your gaming sidekick. And controller navigation through the Xbox PC app just got a whole lot smoother. Read more about the new features below, including new gaming additions for Xbox Play Anywhere, Stream your own game, Retro Classics, and more.

Here’s what’s new:

Cross-Device and Cloud-Playable Play History Now Rolling Out

Last month we announced the preview for cross-device play history and cloud-playable games, making it easier than ever to keep playing your games across Xbox, wherever you are. What started with Xbox Insiders is now rolling out and will soon be available to everyone.

Your play history will now sync across devices, showing up on console and in the Xbox PC app. So, whether you’re switching screens from one room to the next or picking up where you left off at a friend’s house, your recently played games are right there so you can jump back in.

You’ll also start seeing cloud-playable games show up in your history. That means every cloud-enabled title, from original Xbox classics to Xbox Series X|S exclusives, is now in one place whether you own it or play through Xbox Game Pass. It’s a simpler, more connected way to find and get into cloud gaming.

There are multiple entry points to continue playing your current games. On console, check out the Play history tile on the Home page, and on the Xbox PC app, you can find your Play history under the Most Recent section in the sidebar menu as well as the Play history tab in My Library.

PC Gaming Updates

Bring Everything Together with My apps – Available to Xbox Insiders

We’re continuing to evolve the Xbox on PC experience, and we’ve rolled out My apps to Xbox Insiders, a new tab in the Xbox PC app that makes it easier to get to the apps you use most. With My apps, Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview can now quickly launch key apps and storefronts, like browsers, utilities, and game launchers, right from the library. No more bouncing between desktop windows; everything’s in one spot and ready to go.

This builds on our work with the aggregated gaming library, making it easier to find, download, and launch your games from multiple storefronts directly from the Xbox PC app. Whether you’re on a Windows 11 PC or a handheld device, My apps help streamline your setup so you can spend more time playing and less time searching.

We’re starting with a curated set of apps and will expand support over time. Learn more about My apps in the full article here.

Gaming Copilot (Beta) on Game Bar – In Preview to Xbox Insiders

Gaming Copilot (Beta) is now available in Game Bar on Windows 11 for Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview. It’s built to be your go-to sidekick, helping you get past tough spots so you can stay focused on what matters: playing the games you love.

Whether you’re looking for tips, stuck on a boss, or just want to get into the action faster, Gaming Copilot (Beta) is here to make things smoother and more personal. It’s smart, helpful when you need it, and stays out of the way when you don’t.

Want to dig in? Check out the Xbox Insiders article for more on how to get started.

Controller Navigation in the Xbox PC App Just Got a Lot Smarter

The Xbox PC app now makes it easier to move between controller, keyboard, and touch – no matter how you play. We’ve added smart updates for controller and keyboard users that make navigation feel more intuitive and console-like: A to select, B to go back, Y to search. You’ll notice smoother trigger and bumper behavior, faster scrolling, and smarter focus memory between pages. Keyboard navigation also got a boost.

Visually, things are cleaner. Focus indicators are clearer, animations are subtle but purposeful, and everything feels more polished. It’s all about making the experience feel familiar, responsive, and just better.

In Case You Missed It

Xbox Consoles – Dynamic Backgrounds

Gears of War: Reloaded, Grounded 2, Madden NFL 26, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Sea of Thieves all introduced new dynamic backgrounds for Xbox Series X|S consoles, allowing players to customize their consoles to match exciting new games.

Game Additions

Xbox Play Anywhere – Buy once, play anywhere

Over 1,000 games now support Xbox Play Anywhere, making it easier than ever to switch between PC, console, and supported handhelds, at no extra cost to you. Your progress travels with you, including saves, add-ons, and achievements. Just sign in with your Xbox account on any device and pick up right where you left off.

These are the games added to the Xbox Play Anywhere collection in July:

• Abiotic Factor
• Aquapark io
• Back to the Dawn
• Bad End Theater
• Crowd City
• Dead of Darkness
• EDENS ZERO
• Golf Guys
• Grounded 2
• Hatsune Miku Logic Paint S+
• Maiden Cops
• Mecha BREAK
• Minami Lane
• My Friendly Neighborhood
• No Heroes Here 2
• Novel Rogue
• RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business
• Sand Legends
• Spell Disk
• The Last Camp
• The Wandering Village
• Tiny Pixels Vol. 2 – Stormy Knights
• Wheel World

Check out the full list of available games that players can enjoy anywhere.

Stream your own game – Over 450+ games

We’re continuing to grow the Stream your own game collection in Xbox Cloud Gaming. Game Pass Ultimate members can now stream from a library of 450+ games they own, across supported devices. That includes titles like GRADIUS ORIGINS and Mafia: The Old Country.

More games, more flexibility, and more ways to play – wherever you may be.

Recently added:

• A Short Hike
• Bugsnax
• DC League of Super Pets: The Adventures of Krypto and Ace
• Don’t Starve
• Everspace
• Evil Genius 2: World Domination
• Gradius Origins
• Let’s Build a Zoo
• Library of Ruina
• Mafia: The Old Country
• Scorn
• Somerville
• …and many more!

Check out the full list of cloud-playable games available to stream on supported devices here. For more information, learn more here.

More games added to Retro Classics

Great games deserve to stick around, and we’re making sure they do. Xbox and Antstream Arcade are bringing retro favorites to modern devices through Game Pass, so players can keep enjoying the classics. With over 1 million players already diving into Retro Classics, here’s a look at the latest and upcoming titles.

• Caesar 3
• Climber 5
• Oystron
• Private Eye
• Shootin’ Gallery
• The Colonel’s Bequest
• Wing War

Game Pass subscribers can keep an eye out for new weekly tournaments, community challenges and more games added from Activision and Blizzard, expanding the Retro Classics collection to more than 100+ titles over time. Click here for more information on Retro Classics.

Xbox adds mouse and keyboard and touch controls for more games

Xbox supports the use of wired USB mice and keyboards for navigation in select games and apps, and for getting around on Xbox and Windows devices.

In addition, for Xbox players enjoying games on their mobile devices, Xbox touch controls are available for select games, allowing you to experience a different way to play – by touch and without a controller. Some games render their own controls in-game or supply custom control overlays, providing a more tailored experience for each game’s unique gameplay. Learn more about how you can set up and tailor your game’s touch controls here.

Here are the latest titles added this month:

Mouse and keyboard:

• Barbie Project Friendship
• F1 Manager 2023
• F1 Manager 2024
• Frag Punk
• Grounded 2
• Heretic + Hexen
• Mecha BREAK
• Paw Patrol Grand Prix
• The First Descendent
• Ultimate Chicken Horse
• Ultimate Custom Night
• War Thunder

Touch:

For support on setting up devices, see here for more details.