We are likely headed towards a future where consoles become a thing of the past. A distant future, but a seemingly inevitable one, and it’sXboxleading the pack in terms of who will get to that future first. Xbox has long given gamers the option to play Xbox games without an Xbox via PC Game Pass, and then opened that option up to even more peopleby making its Game Pass titles playable through select Samsung Smart TVs. Now even more people can utilize Game Pass without a console asthe Xbox TV app has arrived on Amazon Fire Stick.
Getting The Right Fire Stick
Xbox and Amazon confirmed the team-up in June 2024, rolling outGame Passcompatibility on Amazon Fire Stick the following month. You’ve likely come here to either get started with or troubleshoot your Game Pass on Fire Stick setup, so first thing’s first - let’s verify you’ve got the right Fire Stick.Only the Fire Stick TV 4K and Fire Stick TV 4K Max models of the Amazon product will work. If you’ve been desperately searching for the Xbox TV app to no avail but you don’t own one of these models, there’s your problem.
Amazon Fire Stick
Not only can you now use your Fire Stick to stream Game Pass via the Xbox TV app, but all of your other favorite streaming apps are there too, including Netflix and Disney Plus.
Signing Up For Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
If you want to play Xbox titles through your Fire Stick, you’re going to need Game Pass Ultimate. Once you’re signed up, hundreds of games await, and you don’t even need a console to play them on.
Once you’ve got the right Fire Stick, the Xbox TV app is installed, and you’re logged into Game Pass Ultimate, there’s really only one more thing you need - the right controller. You don’t need me to tell you battling others inHalo Infiniteand navigatingStarfield’s 1,000 planets would be a nightmare using a regular remote controller. In fact, while I’ve not tried it myself, I’m almost certain that’s not an option.
Compatible Controllers
The good news is even though not many controllers are compatible with the Xbox TV app on Amazon Fire Stick right now, there’s a strong chance you already own at least one of them. Even if you are going through all this because you already own aPlayStationbut you want to play Xbox games without buying a new console, thePS4’s DualShock andPS5’s DualSense are both compatible, minus some of the latter’s fancier perks like its adaptive triggers. Xbox’s regular wireless controller and its adaptive controller can also be used with the app.
Xbox Wireless Controller
Playing Xbox games on the Xbox Game Pass through the Xbox TV app? Yeah, you may use a DualSense, but it would make more sense for you to play them with an Xbox controller, wouldn’t it?
Once you have the tools you need and you’ve followed the steps above, you should be able to play any of the hundreds of titles available on Xbox Game Pass through your Amazon Fire Stick. Although a huge step forward for Xbox in its attempts to get people playing its games and a big step for a future where people play games without consoles, its functionality is far from perfect. Since you will be streaming the games, you will need an internet connection to play them, and the strength of that connection will determine how smooth your experience is while gaming on your Fire Stick.
FAQ
Is Prime Gaming Free If You Have Amazon Prime?
While not connected to Game Pass, Prime Gaming is a service that gets you free games on various platforms and yes, it is included with your Amazon Prime subscription.
Are Amazon Prime Games Free Forever?
Unlike games you play through services such as Game Pass and PS Plus, games you claim for free through Prime Gaming are yours to keep forever and won’t disappear or become unplayable should you let your subscription lapse.
How Much Does Xbox Game Pass Cost?
A Game Pass Ultimate subscription costs $16.99 per month, but you can try the service for 14 days for just $1 before that price kicks in.
