How To Update Xbox Console Companion

• Xbox Console Companion App Update
• How To Update Xbox Console Companion App
• How To Update Xbox Console Companion

Conversations around whether to buy a PS5 vs Xbox Series X are no doubt going to rage on for quite some time. That's extra true right now because it is still so hard to find any Xbox Series X stock or PS5 stock. But, don't fret, if you're still on the fence between the Xbox Series X and PS5 or you're wondering if you made the right choice or just want to know the main differences between the two machines, we're here to compare and analyze both so you can be as informed as possible about this brave new world.

Both the Xbox Series X and PS5 are leaps and bounds ahead of their last-gen counterparts, placing them in leagues with some of the best gaming PCs on the market. Internally, Microsoft and Sony's next-gen consoles are highly comparable, but there are differences. We'll go over those as well as other key factors to consider, like exclusives, subscriptions, peripherals, and more. And of course, you also have the Xbox Series S to think about, which offers next-gen compatibility without the sticker shock.

Luckily, we're by your side, combing through all those tech specs and fine details to help you figure out which machine climbs ahead in the Xbox Series X vs PS5 face-off.

PS5 vs Xbox Series X - specs

One of the key components of any generational shift is the pursuit of power. You know the drill: bigger, badder, and more powerful. Both consoles are demonstrably bigger, badder, and more powerful than their predecessors, but to what degree exactly?

If that doesn't work, the next thing to try would be to open up Settings Apps and then search for the Xbox Console Companion App, click on it, and click the 'Advanced options', then scroll down and click the 'Reset' button. Once that's done reboot the computer and see if that solves the issue for you. Let us know how that goes! Microsoft's Xbox Console Companion app is your key to playing Xbox One games on your Windows 10 desktop or laptop. Unlike PS4 Remote Play or PS Now, this app limits you to streaming on your. This is an area in which Xbox Series X will have a clear advantage over the PS5, thanks to Microsoft's huge investment in services such as Xbox Live, Play Anywhere, Games With Gold, and Xbox Game.

Nov 23, 2020 Click Get Updates. If an update is available, it will immediately start installing. If this isn't working, check to see if your Microsoft Store needs to update. Click the Start logo Settings Update & Security Windows Update Check for Updates and click Install now if there is an update available.

The introduction of new hardware gives developers an opportunity to adjust their ambitions and pursue new ideas that weren't possible on older hardware. Indeed, Sony and Microsoft have the chance to redefine what's possible in interactive entertainment with the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Make no mistake - fundamental changes to the way we play are coming, and it all starts with the tech packed into a sleek black or white box.

At the heart of this next-generation initiative is the CPU ('central processing unit') and GPU ('graphics processing unit'). If the CPU is a brain handling internal calculations, then the GPU is the heart; it's used to render graphics and enhance the processor's functionality by accelerating and redistributing data flow. Wondering what that means? Basically, the CPU and GPU need to work in harmony for the next-gen consoles to achieve more realistic visuals and the likes of ray-tracing. Unsurprisingly, both Sony and Microsoft have opted to pair once again with tech-company AMD on this front.

How to download on imac. The consoles' SSD ('solid state drive') is equally important. This allows for much quicker loading, and it's a real game-changer. Say goodbye to loading screens as we know them.

Is PS5 more powerful than Xbox Series X, or vice-versa?

The PS5's CPU is a custom third-generation Ryzen chip (an eight-core Zen 2 behemoth packed with AMD's proprietary 7nm Zen Microarchitecture). As for the PS5 GPU, it's a heavily customized variant of AMD's Radeon Navi, which can simulate 3D audio and support ray-tracing. More specifically, it offers 10.28 teraFLOPs and 36 CUs ('compute units') at 2.23GHz. That's paired with 16GB GDDR6 RAM. In terms of storage, the PS5 packs a custom 825GB SSD running at 5.5GB per second, with space for bonus NVMe SSDs or standard hard drives if you'd prefer.

You can see the full spec lineup below, courtesy of Eurogamer/Digital Foundry.

Microsoft has been just as forthcoming with specifics on the Xbox Series X specs. Like Sony, it worked with AMD to co-engineer a custom system-on-chip platform (which effectively means the CPU and GPU are integrated). They've also got an eight-core Zen 2 system, but theirs clocks in at 3.8GHz. Meanwhile, the GPU can handle 12 teraFLOPs with 52 CUs at 1.825GHz. This allows Xbox Series X to support hardware-accelerated real-time ray tracing, leading to gorgeous visuals. Finally, the console has 16GB GDDR6 RAM with a hefty 1TB SSD running at 2.4GB per second. If you want more, it can be supported with the official Xbox Series X Storage Expansion Card that offers an extra 1TB of space.

Again, we've posted the full specs below.

So, let's address the elephant in the room: on paper, there's a big difference between the two consoles regarding CPU, GPU, and SSD storage. Specifically, the Xbox Series X seems to edge into the lead with each.

Case closed? Not quite. Things are much more complicated when you dig a little deeper. To begin with, there's only a tiny gap between the two CPUs in power (particularly because the Series X only manages 3.6GHz with simultaneous multithreading to improve efficiency), and they'll probably be near-identical in terms of performance as a result. As for graphics, the Series X has the lion's share of power thanks to those two extra teraFLOPs.. but isn't likely to trot it out much beyond exclusives. Games on both platforms will be limited by the lowest common denominator, after all, so even if they're slightly prettier on Xbox, there won't be a tremendous gap. And frankly, it's not how many teraFLOPs you have that matter - it's how you use them.

Speaking of which, things are complicated further by the difference in CU speed. Even though PS5 has fewer teraFLOPs, each of its 32 compute units is running at a higher 2.23GHz (at the other end of the scale, the Series X has 52 CUs running at 1.825GHz). It's hard to tell which approach will work out better - they're very different philosophies.

And that's PS5 vs Xbox Series X in a nutshell. Without seeing the two systems running side by side, all of this is little more than posturing. Both consoles natively support 4K resolutions at 60 frames-per-second with promises of 8K in the future, for example, not to mention frame rates up to 120Hz in certain cases.

The subject of SSDs is a different matter, however. Even though the PS5's storage looks inferior at first glance (825GB compared to 1TB for Series X), it's actually got the advantage. That's because of its speed. The PS5 SSD can manage 5.5GB per second, and this is double the Series X's 2.4GB per second. What does that mean in layman's terms? The PS5 could potentially load games considerably fast than Xbox Series X, though early testing shows roughly comparable load times. Yes, it's only 825GB in capacity, but this can always be added to via external HDDs or SSDs. In fact, both consoles' SSDs are advanced enough that they can be used as virtual memory, hence the boost in loading times, open-world smoothness, and quick seamless changes between game screens or types.

It's also worth noting that both systems will still accept physical media for the most part, with Sony and Microsoft committing to Blu-Ray support for the foreseeable future despite the digital-only PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S.

Design and aesthetics

We've all had a good long time to gaze at both next-gen consoles online and in the flesh (if you were lucky enough to get your hands on one), and it's perhaps here that the difference between the two consoles is the starkest.

While a lot of it will come down to subjective personal taste, the respective design of the consoles matters a lot when you consider their size and the many years they'll be sat there on your shelf. The PS5 is an ostentatious beast, resembling some sort-of futuristic alien technology, while the Xbox Series X is quite literally, a box. It's just a big black box.

Naturally, this has split everyone down the middle. Some of the GamesRadar+ team value the more outlandish style of the PS5, for instance; it's next-gen! It's the future! We want our consoles to look next-gen, while plenty of other GR staffers find the Xbox Series X's stately design much more agreeable.

Xbox Console Companion App Update

With that in mind, the one you favor will probably come down to whether you want a set-piece or something that disappears into the background. Each approach is totally valid.

And let's be frank - the console's appearance will make absolutely no difference in terms of their ability to play games. Both consoles are bigger than their predecessors to accommodate those specs, but each one has managed to play hardware Tetris in squeezing so much technological wizardry into such a narrow space. So far, both consoles seem to be handling games without noticeable fan noise.

Controllers

Like the consoles they support, the DualSense and Xbox Series X controller are quite easy to tell apart aesthetically. Though not quite as loud as the console itself, the DualSense is a huge departure from the traditional PlayStation controller that hardly changed from PS1 to PS4. In contrast, the Xbox Series X controller looks identical to the Xbox One controller, but does include some new features.

It's fair to say that Sony has put a greater emphasis on the PS5 controller than Microsoft has with the Xbox Series X controller. How to compress video files handbrake. Heck, Sony developed an entire game - Astro's Playroom - and bundled it in with the PS5 just to demonstrate the DualSense's capabilities.

To begin with, both make use of very different buzzwords. For Sony, it's 'new'. For Microsoft, it's 'accessibility'. These concepts impact almost every talking-point the companies have made thus far. As an example, we've been told time and again that the Series X handset is designed to be comfortable for as many people as possible. Per Xbox.com's deep-dive, that means 'rounding the bumpers, slightly reducing and rounding parts around the triggers, and carefully sculpting the grips'.

Gallery: Dual, triple, quad, penta camera smartphones: The history running through to the Samsung Galaxy S21 (Pocket-lint)

Meanwhile, the PS5's DualSense goes all-in on fresh technology that could revolutionize the way we play down the line, provided developers actually make use of the tech. Although the features we know and love are still present, there's also the ability to chat with friends via the controller itself, adaptive triggers that replicate the feeling of drawing a bow or shooting different guns, haptic feedback, and a 'Create' button Sony promises will be as significant as the 'Share' function on the PS4's controllers.

Both companies are polar opposites when it comes to the future, too. PlayStation is embracing the new and the different with the DualSense. It even emphasises touch control, a feature that didn't really go anywhere in the PS4 era. Meanwhile, Xbox is putting its focus on backwards compatibility to ensure that the controller is usable across console generations. It has the option of using AA batteries, for instance (conversely, the DualSense is rechargeable by USB-C cables out of the box). Neither is right or wrong, of course; it's just an intriguing contrast that's defined their approach to the controllers.

So, does that mean the DualSense isn't accessible and the Series X controller doesn't anything new to offer? Far from it. Microsoft's forging ahead in its own way by including a 'share' function, not to mention features heavily inspired by the Xbox Elite controllers (more precisely, the triggers and handles have tactile bumps for superior grip, while the d-pad is an all-new hybrid that combines different styles of play). As for PlayStation, 'the DualSense has been tested by a wide range of gamers with a variety of hand sizes, in order for us to achieve the comfort level we wanted, with great ergonomics'. Several GamesRadar staffers have had a few weeks to play with the PS5 controller and have found it weighty, a touch bulky compared to the DualShock, but ultimately quite comfy.

In other words, they're both very solid contenders that are likely to serve you well. They also have their fair share of potential flaws. The DualSense is undeniably more ambitious, but it remains to be seen whether widespread support will come in the future. As for the Series X, it's great to see the return of a classic… but is it a little dull?

With all of that in mind, the 'winner' of this battle will depend on what you value. Are you more interested in backwards compatibility and a lean, focused controller without many bells or whistles? Or are you ready for a change?

Services

Microsoft knows better than anybody that the future of games is in services. This is an area in which Xbox Series X will have a clear advantage over the PS5, thanks to Microsoft's huge investment in services such as Xbox Live, Play Anywhere, Games With Gold, and Xbox Game Pass. The company's also thrown its weight behind the support of cross-platform play, game streaming, and third-party subscription services such as EA Access.

Xbox Series X launched with an established, tested, and stable platform to draw from. Players will be able to immediately jump into hundreds of games on Xbox Series X thanks to the combination of backwards compatibility support and Game Pass, a subscription service that rotates hundreds of Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Xbox games every month – including all of the first-party Xbox Game Studio exclusives. Microsoft has created an extremely player-friendly, player-focused ecosystem through its services as a result.

Meanwhile, PlayStation announced additions to its PlayStation Plus service in the form of the PlayStation Plus Collection, a huge library of PS4 games to PS5 at launch. But it's easy to see how the Xbox Series X in particular benefits from a massive selection of on-demand games via Game Pass.

VR

If you want to experience virtual reality on console, you'll want to invest in a PS5. It isn't even a competition when it comes to VR. Microsoft has restated its belief that VR belongs on PC time and time again, while Sony has recently gone on record by doubling down on its commitment to the emerging tech after shifting more than four million units since its launch in 2016.

The current PSVR headset is forward compatible with the PS5, but Sony has announced it's working on a specific PSVR PS5 headset. It's not due out in 2021, but it will offer enhanced graphics, field of view, tracking, input, and will connect to PS5 using a single cable. It will also launch with a new VR controller that will incorporate some of the key DualSense features.

Backwards compatibility

The PS5 and Xbox Series X both support backwards compatibility, albeit to varying degrees. PS5 backwards compatibility will indeed let you play most of your PS4 games on the new system, with Sony even going as far as to commit to what it is calling 'cross-generation' support, designed to ensure that PS4 players are able to play multiplayer games with those that have already made the jump to PS5. This, Sony believes, will not only help foster healthy communities but help players migrate over to the new platform in good time too. To note, the PS5 isn't backwards compatible with games from generations before PS4.

Unfortunately, not every PS4 game is making the jump right away. As discussed by lead PS5 architect Mark Cerny during the reveal stream, 'we recently took a look at the top 100 PlayStation 4 titles as ranked by playtime, and we're expecting almost all of them to be playable at launch on PlayStation 5'. Here are a few PS4 games that aren't compatible with PS5, but there could be more that we learn about in the future.

Incredibly, the Xbox Series X backwards compatibility feature spans 'four generations' worth of Xbox games, proving that Microsoft understands how important it is that the best (and select) games released on the Xbox platform since 2001 are playable on Xbox Series X. Better yet, the Xbox Series X can double framerates and increase resolution on select games.

If that weren't enough, all Xbox One accessories and peripherals will work on Xbox Series X, and your games, achievements, progression, and accessories move forward with you. A generation shift doesn't need to mean a change in the way you experience video games on your system of choice.

In short? This is one area of the next-generation battle where Xbox has a clear advantage over Sony.

Which console plays games better?

If there's going to be a true 'game changer' this new generation, it isn't going to be the dawn of ray tracing, real-time or otherwise. Nor will it be the arrival of 8K resolutions and support of 120fps gaming. No, the real key to the next generation – and by extension, the PS5 vs Xbox Series X battle – will be on broader quality of life improvements to core game experiences. Both companies took a hard look at the annoyances that have become entrenched in the last decade and aimed to eradicate them: long loading times, the constant patching, download times, and inconsistent performance on the biggest games.. it could all be a thing of the past. In fact, PS5 load times were scrapped to 'give the game designer freedom' to make whatever they want. In addition, PS5 updates will be much more streamlined.

To achieve these lofty ambitions, both the PS5 and Xbox Series X come equipped with solid-state drives – an SSD, as you may better recognize it. This may not sound like much, but a shift in philosophy from mechanical hard drives (which you'll find in current-gen systems) to solid-state drives could be the key that unlocks the next generation's true potential. For instance, Microsoft showed off incredibly fast Xbox Series X loading times recently, and the leaked PS5 gameplay reveal demonstrates Insomniac's Spider-Man having its loading time reduced from an average of 15 seconds on PS4 Pro to just 0.8 seconds on a PS5 dev kit. That's staggering.

How do the consoles manage this? To explain, we've got to discuss how games work. When you do anything in a game, it is frantically scrambling behind the scenes to pull relevant information from the hard-drive in order to function. That's one of the reasons we have elaborate loadout menus while you're waiting for multiplayer games to kick into action; it's why fast-travel systems aren't all that fast anymore, and it's why you're only ever able to move through worlds at fairly consistent speeds – graphical effects and sleight of hand trickery used to simulate the illusion of momentum. The bigger games become, the better they begin to look, and the smoother they are expected to perform, the larger the strain on internal systems to sift through inordinate amounts of data and align them in place for you to play the game as intended. SSDs have the potential to fix this issue, because they can retrieve and sort that data so much faster. Current-gen consoles utilise 5400RPM mechanical hard drives with a read speed of 80MBps (more or less, anyway); meanwhile, SSDs for PCs that connect directly to your computer's mainboard rather than via cable can boost read speed up to 3200Mbps. It's a tremendous jump.

It's a leap we're starting to get details on. Microsoft says the Series X comes equipped with an SSD which offers up to 40x faster read speeds than that of the Xbox One family of systems. What's more, that storage drive can also be used as virtual RAM to further boost data access by supporting the already-impressive GDDR6 RAM memory. The PS5 SSD is even faster; its custom 825GB device will almost remove load times completely thanks to it running at a blistering 5.5GHz per second.

With that in mind, the jump to console SSDs will fundamentally change our relationship with gaming.

Launch games and exclusives

For many, the PS5 vs Xbox Series X battle will ultimately be resolved by the games made available over the generation. But the launch line-up is important too, and it's one area that PS5 holds a clear advantage.

Here are the launch games available now on PS5, starting with the PlayStation exclusives:

• Astro's Playroom
• Bugsnax
• Demon's Souls
• Godfall
• Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Marvel's Spider-Man: Remastered
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla
• Borderlands 3
• Dead by Daylight
• Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
• DIRT 5
• Fortnite
• Goonya Fighter
• King Oddball
• Maneater
• Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
• NBA 2K21
• No Man's Sky: The Next Generation
• Observer: System Redux
• Overcooked: All You Can Eat
• The Pathless
• Planet Coaster: Console Edition
• Poker Club
• Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition
• Watch Dogs Legion
• WRC 9
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

In comparison, the Xbox Series X's selection of launch games looks a bit meager, especially when you look at how many are Xbox exclusives. With Halo Infinite slipping into 2021, Xbox Series X lost its biggest launch game, but there are still plenty of Xbox Series X launch games to keep you busy until more exclusives start pouring in.

As for exclusives, Sony has long celebrated its lengthy selection of high-quality PlayStation exclusives, like The Last of Us 1 and 2, the Uncharted series, Marvel's Spider-Man, and loads more. Xbox has, historically, faltered in this respect. But that's all set to change dramatically with Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda, potentially paving the way for the Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Doom series to become Xbox-exclusive. While we're waiting on Microsoft to play its hands with regards to Bethesda exclusivity, this could potentially be a game-changer for fans of the aforementioned series.

Cloud streaming

With Google Stadia teasing the introduction of a new way to play – taking the concept of game-streaming and cloud-processing mainstream – there's no way that the power of the cloud won't factor into the next-gen offerings from Sony and Microsoft in one way or another. It's likely that both companies will offer limited services in this respect at launch, building out their architecture, data centers, and core platforms in the intervening years as streaming becomes more accepted, supported, and streamlined. You can see signs of this now, in the way that Microsoft has spent a generation cycle touting the potential of its Azure platform and its gradual transition towards a digital-first ecosystem.

For now, however, all eyes will be on PS5 streaming via PlayStation Now and Project xCloud. Sony's subscription service has been a quietly successful – and profitable – part of the PlayStation business for some time now, letting PS4 users download and stream select titles from an ever-growing library that already sits at a respectable 700+ games. You should expect to see this platform evolve, especially as it is currently Sony's answer to backwards compatibility, where select PS2 games can be downloaded and played via the service, while a library of PS3 games can be played via the cloud.

As for Microsoft, it's investing in something far larger. Given its flirtation with cloud architecture with Azure this generation, its established digital platforms like Play Anywhere and Game Pass, and the introduction of Project xCloud, it would look as if Xbox is closer to making game-streaming a standard way to play than its competitor. xCloud is designed to complement the core-Xbox experience, letting you carry and seamlessly access your content and game saves immediately on just about any device that you have to hand. There's still a long way for this tech to go, but there is potential for it to unlock Stadia-like streaming services across the Xbox family. Of course, this might be only half the story, given that Sony and Microsoft entered into a cloud partnership to 'explore joint development of future cloud solutions in Microsoft Azure to support their respective game content-streaming services'. Either way, expect more importance to be placed on cloud streaming by both companies the further we move through this upcoming generation.

Price

Price. That's the question on everybody's mind, isn't it? The Xbox Series X is priced at $499 / £449, while the cheaper Xbox Series S is $299 / £249.

The PS5 is $499.99 / £449.99 for the version with a disc drive and $399.99 / £359.99 for the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.

Which should you buy?

The PS5 vs Xbox Series X battle is close on price, with the full-featured machines both hitting the $500 price tag. It will all come down to exclusive games and services, and ultimately it comes down to which console has the games and features you want.

Microsoft has spent years investing heavily in services and cloud technology, but PlayStation is fighting back with PlayStation Plus Collection, a library of classic PS4 games that will be available on PS5 at launch.

Just how important will ray tracing be for Sony PS5 and Xbox Series X? We look at all of the information to work out whether it will be a true evolution for fidelity in the next-generation.

The A-Z for getting started with Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, from setup to gaming.

Microsoft has launched the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, its duo of next-generation consoles and successors to Xbox One. If you're reading this, you're likely among the lucky few with one of these consoles, both presenting giant performance leaps over past consoles. That includes bolstered visuals, high framerates, and cutting-edge technology like ray tracing, with reduced load times sweetening the experience across the board.

While the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S pack different technology under the hood, both consoles share a lot in common. They utilize an identical operating system (OS), run the same games, and have a similar setup process. Here's how to get started, with some additional out-of-box tips to ensure you draw the full value from your new Xbox console.

Jump to:

• What's in the box
• Plug in your Xbox Series X, Series S
• How to set up your console
  • Set up with the app
  • Set up on the console
• How to transfer data from Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S
• How to set up Xbox Family Settings
• How to configure your TV

What's in the box with Xbox Series X, Series S?

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S include all the necessities to set-up and start using your new console, making it easy to enjoy it almost immediately. The box stows the device in protective, hassle-free packaging, coupled with one wireless controller, alongside all the cables needed to power and use your Xbox.

The Xbox Series X ships with the console itself, a new Xbox Wireless Controller in matte-black styling, and AA batteries required for power. The same comes with Xbox Series S but swapping out the gamepad for an all-white finish. The box also includes an HDMI cable to connect the console to your TV and the same figure-8 C7 power cable used by Xbox One X.

It's also worth highlighting Microsoft bundles an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable with Xbox Series X that meets HDMI 2.1 requirements. That supports 4K resolution at 120Hz, or 8K resolution at 60Hz, making it easy to push the best possible experience to capable TVs. The Xbox Series S includes a High Speed HDMI cable that supports up to 4K resolution at 60Hz, or 1440p resolution at 120Hz, in line with the target performance for this lower-tier console.

How to plug in your Xbox Series X, Series S

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ensure a relatively hassle-free setup, in part because of its streamlined out-of-box experience, getting you gaming in no time. After unboxing the console and its included accessories, it's time to hook everything up to your display.

First, find a place for your Xbox console, whether a desk, entertainment center, or another flat surface. Your console must have adequate ventilation, so the green-tinted top-facing exhaust on Xbox Series X and black circular vent on Xbox Series S can't be blocked. Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S also support horizontal and vertical positioning, making it easier to position the console around your home.

And in an always-connected work, also consider your internet connection. With Xbox Live and supporting services like Xbox Game Pass among the console fundamentals moving forward, it's crucial to have a speedy, lag-free experience. While wireless is most accessible with just a few clicks, the logistics of hooking up via Ethernet hugely improve that connection for most.

To ensure your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S functions as intended, follow the steps below.

Price. That's the question on everybody's mind, isn't it? The Xbox Series X is priced at $499 / £449, while the cheaper Xbox Series S is $299 / £249.

The PS5 is $499.99 / £449.99 for the version with a disc drive and $399.99 / £359.99 for the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.

Which should you buy?

The PS5 vs Xbox Series X battle is close on price, with the full-featured machines both hitting the $500 price tag. It will all come down to exclusive games and services, and ultimately it comes down to which console has the games and features you want.

Microsoft has spent years investing heavily in services and cloud technology, but PlayStation is fighting back with PlayStation Plus Collection, a library of classic PS4 games that will be available on PS5 at launch.

Just how important will ray tracing be for Sony PS5 and Xbox Series X? We look at all of the information to work out whether it will be a true evolution for fidelity in the next-generation.

The A-Z for getting started with Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, from setup to gaming.

Microsoft has launched the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, its duo of next-generation consoles and successors to Xbox One. If you're reading this, you're likely among the lucky few with one of these consoles, both presenting giant performance leaps over past consoles. That includes bolstered visuals, high framerates, and cutting-edge technology like ray tracing, with reduced load times sweetening the experience across the board.

While the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S pack different technology under the hood, both consoles share a lot in common. They utilize an identical operating system (OS), run the same games, and have a similar setup process. Here's how to get started, with some additional out-of-box tips to ensure you draw the full value from your new Xbox console.

Jump to:

• What's in the box
• Plug in your Xbox Series X, Series S
• How to set up your console
  • Set up with the app
  • Set up on the console
• How to transfer data from Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S
• How to set up Xbox Family Settings
• How to configure your TV

What's in the box with Xbox Series X, Series S?

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S include all the necessities to set-up and start using your new console, making it easy to enjoy it almost immediately. The box stows the device in protective, hassle-free packaging, coupled with one wireless controller, alongside all the cables needed to power and use your Xbox.

The Xbox Series X ships with the console itself, a new Xbox Wireless Controller in matte-black styling, and AA batteries required for power. The same comes with Xbox Series S but swapping out the gamepad for an all-white finish. The box also includes an HDMI cable to connect the console to your TV and the same figure-8 C7 power cable used by Xbox One X.

It's also worth highlighting Microsoft bundles an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable with Xbox Series X that meets HDMI 2.1 requirements. That supports 4K resolution at 120Hz, or 8K resolution at 60Hz, making it easy to push the best possible experience to capable TVs. The Xbox Series S includes a High Speed HDMI cable that supports up to 4K resolution at 60Hz, or 1440p resolution at 120Hz, in line with the target performance for this lower-tier console.

How to plug in your Xbox Series X, Series S

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ensure a relatively hassle-free setup, in part because of its streamlined out-of-box experience, getting you gaming in no time. After unboxing the console and its included accessories, it's time to hook everything up to your display.

First, find a place for your Xbox console, whether a desk, entertainment center, or another flat surface. Your console must have adequate ventilation, so the green-tinted top-facing exhaust on Xbox Series X and black circular vent on Xbox Series S can't be blocked. Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S also support horizontal and vertical positioning, making it easier to position the console around your home.

And in an always-connected work, also consider your internet connection. With Xbox Live and supporting services like Xbox Game Pass among the console fundamentals moving forward, it's crucial to have a speedy, lag-free experience. While wireless is most accessible with just a few clicks, the logistics of hooking up via Ethernet hugely improve that connection for most.

To ensure your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S functions as intended, follow the steps below.

1. Connect the included HDMI cable to the rear of your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S.
2. Connect the HDMI cable to your TV or monitor.
   • For many 4K TVs, it's also essential to consider which HDMI port is used. Some TVs map their best features to specific ports, which becomes especially crucial if using an HDMI 2.1 display, with an impact on resolution and framerate. Refer to your TV manufacturer for further specifications.
3. Connect the power cable to the rear of your console.
4. Connect the power cable to an outlet. We recommend connecting the console directly to the wall, as external surge protectors have historically limited power draw, which impacts performance.
5. Press the power button on your Xbox console.

Your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S should light up with an accompanying chime. If no chime sounds, check if your power cable is plugged in correctly, using a functional outlet. If no image is displayed on the screen, check your TV connection, and ensure the correct HDMI source is selected.

How to set up your Xbox Series X, Series S

When your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S first powers on, a digital out of box experience (OOBE) walks new users through configuring essentials on the software side. It touches on system language, getting online, and setting preferences, while also installing the latest Xbox operating system (OS) version available at launch.

It's a relatively self-explanatory setup, especially for returning Xbox One users. Microsoft also allows users to expedite the process through the official Xbox companion app, out now on iOS and Android, allowing you to configure preferences while the system is still processing.

How to set up your Xbox Series X, Series S with the Xbox app

Microsoft's new Xbox app setup experience provides the most seamless opportunity to customize your console, with an easily navigable in-app experience that walks users through the setup step-by-step. The free app is available on iOS and Android devices, which speeds up the process while your console handles updates in the background.

1. Open and sign into the Xbox app on your iOS or Android device. If you don't have the Xbox app, it's available for free from the App Store and Google Play Store.
2. Tap the console icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap Set up a console.

4. Tap Set up a new console.

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5. Enter the 10-digit code displayed on your TV. This code will display when first powering on Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, prompting users to use the app during setup.
6. Tap Connect to console. Your mobile device will automatically display a prompt requesting to join your console's Wi-Fi network.
7. Tap Join. Your phone will now connect to your Xbox console.

8. Tap Next.

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9. Tap your preferred language and location.
10. Hit Next.

11. Choose your preferred Wi-Fi network and follow the on-screen prompts to connect. A confirmation will display when online.

    • If using a wired connection, select Use wired connection. Ensure your Ethernet cable is connected to the console. A confirmation will display when online.
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12. Tap Next. The app will prompt you to install an Xbox update.
13. Tap Next to start the update. Your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S will start updating in the background.
14. Choose your preferred power mode for your Xbox console.
    • Energy saving: This mode aims to reduce power consumption, with slower start-up, no downloads while sleeping, and easy remote access. The environment appreciates your sacrifices.
    • Instant-on: This mode is all about speed and functionality, powering on in just seconds with the ability to download titles or remotely access your console while turned off.

15. Tap Next.

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16. Choose your preferred sign-in preferences.
    • No barriers: This is the easiest way to use Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, allowing you to sign-in, change settings, and even purchase content without additional steps. You're sacrificing security for convenience.
    • Ask for my passkey: This setting allows you to create a simple passkey that you must enter to sign-in, make purchases, and change settings across your console. Ideal when using your Xbox console in a household with multiple people.
    • Lock it down: This setting requires users to reauthenticate your Microsoft account with your full password every time you sign-in, make purchases and change settings across your console. While great for security, it can be a hassle.
17. Tap Next.
18. Select Enable instant sign-in to be automatically signed when turning on your Xbox console. Otherwise, select No thanks.
19. Choose your preferred automatic update preferences using the on-screen toggle.

20. Tap Next.

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21. Choose whether to enable remote features using the on-screen toggle. This includes remote play, remote install, remote control. Otherwise, select Skip.
22. Tap Next.
23. Sign in with your Microsoft Account when prompted.
24. Tap Next to acknowledge Microsoft's data collection policies.
25. Tap Send Optional Data to send Microsoft optional diagnostic and usage data. Otherwise, select No thanks.
26. Tap Next to acknowledge Microsoft's>© Provided by Windows Central
27. Choose your preferred communication preferences for information and offers using the on-screen toggle.

28. Tap Next.

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29. For existing Xbox users, Microsoft will provide an opportunity to restore your Xbox system preferences from the cloud. Select Apply Settings to accept these same preferences, or select No Thanks to further customize your console. Those setting up an Xbox console for the first time will also receive an opportunity to customize their system preferences.

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30. Select Link Controller to automatically sign in when using your controller. Otherwise, select Skip This.

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31. Select Take Me Home to complete the setup process.

How to set up your Xbox Series X, Series S on the console

How To Update Xbox Console Companion App

For those who prefer to keep it simple or don't have access to the Xbox app, new consoles can also be set up on the device with an equally intuitive setup process. It's best to have your Microsoft Account ready, with an experience that transitions between your phone and TV.

1. Press and hold the Xbox button to turn on your Xbox controller.

2. Press the Menu (three-lines) button.

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3. Select your preferred language.

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4. Select the preferred variety of your preferred language.

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5. Choose your preferred Wi-Fi network and follow the on-screen prompts to connect. A confirmation will display when online.

   • If using a wired connection, select Use wired connection. Ensure your Ethernet cable is connected to the console. A confirmation will display when online.
   © Provided by Windows Central

6. Select Continue.

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7. Select your location. The console will prompt you to install an update.

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8. Select Start update. Your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S will start updating. Microsoft will prompt you to hand over the set-up process to your mobile, although you can continue using just the console if preferred.

   © Provided by Windows Central

9. Press and hold the Xbox button to turn on your Xbox controller.

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10. Press A to continue the setup process. Your console will prompt you to update the Xbox controller.

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11. Select Update Controller.

    © Provided by Windows Central

12. How to update fortnite save the world. Select Next to continue the setup process.

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13. Select Next to continue the setup process.

    © Provided by Windows Central

14. Sign in with your Microsoft Account when prompted.

    © Provided by Windows Central

15. Select Next to acknowledge Microsoft's data collection policies.

    © Provided by Windows Central

16. Select Send Optional Data to send Microsoft optional diagnostic and usage data. Otherwise, select No thanks.

    © Provided by Windows Central

17. For existing Xbox users, Microsoft will provide an opportunity to restore your Xbox system preferences from the cloud. Select Apply Settings to accept these same preferences, or select No Thanks to further customize your console. Those setting up an Xbox console for the first time will also receive an opportunity to customize their system preferences.

    © Provided by Windows Central

18. Select Link Controller to automatically sign in when using your controller. Otherwise, select Skip This.

    © Provided by Windows Central
19. Select Take Me Home to complete the setup process.

How to move games from Xbox One to Xbox Series X, Series S

With Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S supporting almost every title once playable on Xbox One, it's easy to bring your existing installations across devices. It saves the need to redownload potentially dozens of titles on your new console, with relatively seamless transfer processes in place, depending on your setup.

The Xbox One and Xbox Series family provide two transfer options: a wireless network transfer and by using a physical external hard drive. The former allows you to copy over games quickly provided the consoles are on the same local network. But if you have a USB-connected drive to hand, it's an easy plug and play process. You can even play backward compatible titles directly off the hard drive, allowing you to expand the Xbox Series X and Series S storage beyond that SSD.

Our guide on transferring games from Xbox One to Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S provides the full lowdown on how to move your games, unlocking the full benefits of the next generation.

How to set up Xbox parental controls

For parents setting up an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, Microsoft also provides a robust suite of parental controls designed to help keep an eye on the kids. Existing tools include timers on when and how long your child can play, limitations on content, as well as monitoring and managing their activity on consoles.

It's relatively easy to set up these controls on the Xbox Series X, located within the Settings app, under Account >Family Settings. But the new Xbox Family Settings app is our recommended experience because it packs all the tools into one remote app on your iPhone or Android device. The free app allows you to manage and monitor any aspect of your child's experience whenever and wherever with a simple process, only requiring a Microsoft Account.

For any parent picking up a new Xbox, these tools are a must-try to ensure your kids stay safe online, both with the content they play and the people they meet. It's now easier than ever, ideal even if you're not technically-minded.

Experience the best with your TV: 4K, HDR, 120Hz

Before sitting back and enjoying your new console, the importance of making sure your console is configured to work with your TV can't be stressed enough. While the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S work better than ever with the newest TV technologies, it's still working checking your console has been configured to deliver the clearest, smoothest, and most vibrant gameplay out of the box.

Microsoft contains a handy 4K TV test inside the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S settings app, available under General >TV & display options >4K TV details. The presented results, as demonstrated above, provide a breakdown of what your TV can output. It's also important to check which port your console uses, with many 4K TVs limiting features to select port numbers.

Only a select number of TVs will be capable of 4K resolution at 120Hz, which provides the ultimate balance of clarity and fluidity. It's restricted to only the best 4K TVs for Xbox Series X and Series S, with the new HDMI 2.1 standard. Older 4K TVs may support up to 4K at 60Hz, or 1440p at 120Hz. HDR is also one to watch, supported across many new TVs, resulting in improved contrast and colors.

Visit General >TV & display options under the Settings app on your Xbox and ensure your maximum resolution is selected on the 'Resolution' tile. The adjacent Video Modes tile also provides additional options, like enabling HDR content or high refresh rates.

How To Update Xbox Console Companion

Leading 4K

Xbox Series X (Preorder)

The full next-generation experience.

Xbox Series X is Microsoft's new flagship, as its most powerful console with over 12TF GPU performance and a custom SSD. It boasts up to 4K resolution and 120 FPS, full backward compatibility across four generations, and ray-tracing support.

Next-gen in HD

Xbox Series S (Preorder)

Experience next-gen gaming for less.

Microsoft serves the next-generation for less with its budget-friendly Xbox Series S. The console packs the same high-performance CPU and SSD technology as Xbox Series X, while scaling back the GPU and removing the disc drive.