Samsung TVs just got a great new way to play Xbox games – and you don’t even need a console to play them.
By downloading the Xbox app from the newly launched Samsung Gaming Hub platform, you can now stream Xbox Series X|S games over the cloud. The only problem, as detailed in official Xbox news blog (opens in new tab) is that you will need one of these Samsung 2022 TVs to access the gaming platform.
So if you own or plan to buy one, you can play a litany of the best games on Xbox Game Pass without a console, nor the need to wait for a lengthy download. Want to learn more? Our handy Xbox Game Pass on Samsung TVs explainer will give you insight into what the Xbox subscription service brings to Samsung’s latest displays.
What do I need to play Xbox games on my Samsung TV?
If you own a Samsung 2022 TV, there are still a few more things you need to play Xbox games without a console.
First, a decent internet connection is required to stream games directly from the cloud. In our Xbox Cloud Gaming guide, we noted that you want at least 20Mbps and a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection for an acceptable experience.
If that’s not an obstacle for you, you’ll also need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. This top level is the only way to access Xbox app games. Ultimate will cost $14.99 / £10.99 / AU$15.95 per month. If you are not subscribed, you will be prompted to do so when opening the Xbox app. Unfortunately, cloud gaming is not available on the base tier of Xbox Game Pass.
Finally, you’ll need a wireless controller that supports Bluetooth. The official Xbox wireless controller works fine. But Samsung also notes that you can use the Xbox Adaptive controller or even the PS5’s DualSense.
If you’ve ticked all these boxes, then you’re good to go. You just need to go to the Samsung Gaming Hub on your TV and download the Xbox app. Next, we’ll show you how to do just that.
How to Download the Xbox App on a Samsung TV
First, turn on your Samsung TV and access the Samsung Gaming Hub on the dashboard. In the hub, you should now see an icon for the Xbox app. You will be asked to log in to your Microsoft account. This will be the same one you used to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Once you’re inside, just plug in your favorite Bluetooth-enabled controller and you’re good to go. You will be greeted by the huge list of cloud-based games from the Xbox app that it shares with Xbox Game Pass.
Just select a game you like and you can start playing right away. No need to wait for a long download. The only limits here are the 1080p resolution limit (which your Samsung TV should do a decent job of upscaling) and the quality of your internet connection.
The Xbox app is a fantastic addition to the Samsung Gaming Hub. If you own a Samsung TV, it means you won’t have to shell out more money for an Xbox console to play multiple Xbox Game Pass games. As long as you can afford the somewhat expensive monthly subscription cost, you may never need to buy a console to play many of the best Xbox Series X games.
