Tips and Tricks for New Xbox Series Console Owners
No doubt many people received Xbox Series consoles as holiday gifts. While the Xbox One was an excellent console, the Xbox series improved on a lot of features making it easier to set up and jump right into gaming.
Still, there’s a lot to learn about the Xbox Series as it has many new features. While its primary function is for gaming, it also acts as the ultimate media center for streaming movies and films, listening to music, and even streaming live on Twitch. Still, to fully take advantage of your new Xbox Series console, you’ll need to know a few things.
Before you can jump into gaming, you’ll need an Xbox Live gamertag if you don’t already have one. It should be connected to your Microsoft account. If this is your first Xbox console you can create one by going to Microsoft Live. If you already have a Microsoft Live account, you can log in and follow the instructions to create your Xbox Live gamertag.
Image Credit: Mika Baumeister
Which Series Do You Have? The Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S
The difference between the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S is huge but very simple. The Xbox Series X has a Blu-ray disc drive. The Xbox Series S is completely digital.
The Xbox Series X has a disc playback capability of 4k as well as being able to stream from services like Hulu and Netflix at 4k resolution. The Series S is only digital but can still stream from streaming services at 4k as well.
Aside from the Series X having a disc drive and the Series S being digital, there is no other notable difference. Both console models have identical operating systems. Both new gen models are compatible with Xbox One controllers and headsets. Also, many games from both the Xbox 360 and the Xbox One are backward compatible with the Xbox Series. Also, when signing into your Xbox Series console, your information from your Xbox One account automatically transfers to your Xbox Series console. This information includes your gamertag, achievements, scores, and friends.
How to Install Xbox One Games to Xbox Series
According to Xbox Support, most of your games and apps are imported to your Xbox Series console when you log into your new console. To play Xbox Series games, they have to be installed on the console’s internal storage or storage expansion card. When you sign into your Xbox Series,
Go to My games and apps.
Click on the full library.
Click on Owned games.
To continue playing games from your Xbox One on your Xbox Series, make sure the game is saved to the cloud. If your Xbox One games are saved on an external drive, unplug your external drive from your Xbox One and plug it into your Xbox Series.
Xbox Support explains there are a few ways to install Xbox One games to Xbox Series.
To upgrade your Xbox One game discs to X Series, insert the game disc. If it’s not already installed, you will be prompted to install the game.
You can access more than 100 games with a monthly subscription to Xbox Game Pass. You can cancel this subscription at any time.
Purchase games from the Microsoft Store. The game will automatically install once you download your purchased game.
You can install a game remotely with the Xbox Game Pass mobile app on your smartphone.
Image Credit: Microsoft
Xbox Live Gold vs Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Live and Xbox Game Pass are both subscription programs that offer Xbox customers a plethora of features. Though some features overlap, they are vastly different in their purpose. Understanding the differences and what they do can be a bit confusing for new Xbox customers.
Xbox Live Gold originated in 2002 with the original Xbox. With Xbox Live Gold, Xbox console players could play multiplayer games online and use voice chat. It’s since evolved into offering various rewards and discounts, including two free Xbox games monthly.
Xbox Game Pass allows Xbox console, mobile, and PC gamers access to more than 100 games for a monthly fee. It also includes membership to EA Play, Riot Games integration, and includes an Xbox Live Gold subscription.
With a Game Pass, you can play games anywhere from the cloud. Xbox Live Gold is more about the online network (hence the upcoming name change from Xbox Live Gold to Xbox Box Network).
