Microsoft plans to combine Xbox Game Pass and Xbox mobile apps into a single application. The company is currently trialing a modified Xbox app for Android and iOS which contains certain Xbox Game Pass features which were restricted to a different app. In the near future everything from exploring Game Pass Library, managing memberships, and claiming perks for Game Pass Ultimate users would be possible through the Xbox mobile app.
In a new blog post, Microsoft has said that these improvements will, to start with, be made accessible to test users of Xbox beta version mobile app. All of these changes and modifications will ensure that the Xbox Game Pass app is phased out with a cut-off date towards the end of November this year, and from then downloads will not be possible.
With the modified Xbox app, Game Pass and other facilities like friend groups and text messages, capturing games, and other required games will be available for Xbox consoles players. Game streaming through the Xbox app is unavailable on both Android and iOS, which means users still have to access games through a browser using xbox.com/play, this is because of disagreements between Apple and Xbox over cloud gaming.
This decision follows the recent launch of the Xbox Game Pass Standard tier, which offers console multiplayer for a fixed price of $14.99 a month. Microsoft is also introducing new technology such as a revised compact mode for its Game Bar and updates to the Xbox app which will help to reduce the overall volume of downloads on PC platforms. Improvements that cut back on update delays, enabling the users to start the game right after an update goes live, will also be available for Xbox console users.
