Microsoft expands Xbox Cloud Gaming to more Xbox insiders

Microsoft continues to push for its big bet in Xbox Cloud Gaming, and it’s now launching the feature to more Xbox Insiders.

The Redmond tech giant shipped a new Xbox Update Preview for Omega ring insiders, one of the closest to the public release. With that, the update opens the availability of the Xbox Cloud Gaming for insiders with Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions.

In December 2024, Microsoft first opened up the feature for folks in the invite-only Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha rings in 28 supported countries.

With that, as long as you have the Game Pass Ultimate and a Bluetooth controller, you can stream select Xbox games anywhere you want, whether it’s on your PC via the Xbox app or even the Xbox mobile apps. Or, you can also stream them on your Xbox so you don’t have to worry about the remaining space you have in your storage.

Xbox Cloud Gaming may also soon allow players to continue playing games after they leave Game Pass, as long as they’ve purchased the game separately. This feature, still in beta, is hinted at through code referencing “Leaving Soon” games and a “Buy to keep playing on Cloud” option.

In its recent quarterly earnings report, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella said that the company recorded at least 140 million hours streamed in this quarter and its PC subscriber base experienced a 30% jump as Xbox Cloud Gaming requires a PC Game Pass or a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

Still from the same update, Microsoft also brings its support for external USB drives larger than 16TB, which has been tested in the invite-only channels recently.