Microsoft is expanding the Xbox app’s capabilities on Windows on Arm, launching a test that lets Windows Insiders download and install ARM64 games locally rather than relying solely on Xbox Cloud Gaming. The update means that, for the first time, some ARM64 titles from PC Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will be playable natively on devices powered by Qualcomm chips, such as the Surface Pro 12.
Previously, the Xbox app on Arm-based devices could only stream games through Xbox Cloud Gaming. With this new update, Insiders can install compatible ARM64 games directly on their devices and run them without a constant cloud connection. Microsoft describes the effort as a collaboration between the Windows and Xbox teams to ensure broad compatibility across the Game Pass catalog and to enable more games to be played on Arm-based Windows 11 PCs in the months ahead.
The shift toward local installs builds on Microsoft’s earlier ARM64 Xbox app release in 2022. Back then, there weren’t many native ARM games available, but the landscape is improving: you can now consult the Windows on Arm ready site to see which games are ready to run well on Arm devices.
Implications for gamers on Windows on Arm are notable. Native ARM64 gaming can offer lower latency and better performance for compatible titles, and it reduces the dependency on a constant network connection for play. The ongoing collaboration between Windows and Xbox aims to broaden the catalog over time, bringing more Game Pass titles to ARM-powered PCs as the ecosystem grows.
Summary: Microsoft is testing a Windows on Arm update that enables ARM64 games from PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to be installed and played locally on Arm-based Windows PCs, expanding native gaming options beyond cloud streaming and signaling broader ARM compatibility in the Xbox ecosystem.
Additional comments:
– This development could significantly widen the library of ARM-native games, helping to improve gaming experiences on devices like Qualcomm-powered Windows machines.
– As this is currently an Insider test, broader availability will likely follow after refinement and broader compatibility validation.
– If the trend continues, we may see more titles optimized for Windows on Arm, along with further UX improvements in the Xbox app to simplify discovering and managing ARM64 games.