- You can beta test xCloud, Microsoft’s game streaming service, on Android starting Tuesday, August 11.
- Microsoft will offer a selection of xCloud games via the beta Xbox Game Pass app and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
- The full launch will happen September 15.
Microsoft has set September 15 for the official launch of its long-awaited xCloud game streaming service. However, the company will let anyone with a compatible Android mobile device and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription a chance to try out the service early. The Verge reports that starting Tuesday, August 11, Microsoft will begin the xCloud beta test for those users.
Also read: Project xCloud – Everything we know
If you are an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, you can download the beta version of the Xbox Game Pass app from the Google Play Store at the link below. On Tuesday, you should be able to stream a selection of Xbox One and Windows games on your phone via the beta app.
In order to beta test xCloud, the service will about 30 or so game titles to stream Tuesday. When it officially launches on September 15, there should be over 100 titles to access via Xbox Game Pass. In addition to standard Xbox game controllers, a number of third parties will release Android gamepads and controllers specifically for xCloud game streaming. That includes the xCloud version of Razer’s Kishi controller.
As we reported last week, Microsoft currently has no plans to support iOS-powered devices for xCloud. Apple claimed that since the games that are streaming on xCloud did not go through Apple’s app review process, it cannot allow a version of the Xbox Game Pass app to be published in its App Store. Microsoft slammed Apple’s app store rules in a statement last week, claiming Apple treats gaming apps differently than non-gaming apps, “even when they include interactive content.”