Microsoft has begun public testing of the new web interface for the Xbox Cloud Gaming service, and the good news is that anyone can access it immediately. The new interface is visually and functionally much closer to what users know from Xbox consoles, but at the same time it is simpler and more accessible to those who have never used a gaming console.
Although Xbox Cloud Gaming has had a web control panel before, the new design brings the arrangement of elements like on a classic console, clearer navigation and the feeling of a “real” Xbox environment in the browser. As it is an early version, the interface does not appear automatically to all users, but it is necessary to turn on the trial functions manually.
How to turn on the new Xbox Cloud Gaming web interface
The process is simple and takes only a few minutes. You need to open the Microsoft Edge browser, then visit the Xbox Play page and sign in with your Microsoft account. It is important to emphasize that everyone can access the interface, but an active subscription is still necessary to play the games themselves.
XboxAfter signing in, you need to click on the profile in the upper right corner and open it Settings. Within the settings, you should turn on the “Preview features” option, confirm the selection and then wait about ten minutes for the changes to be activated. After that, reopening play.xbox.com shows the new Xbox Cloud Gaming control panel.
If the user wants to return to the old version of the interface, it is possible by clicking on the “Exit preview” option in the upper right corner of the screen.
An additional convenience for Windows 11 users is the possibility of installing this web interface as an application. In the Microsoft Edge browser, it is enough to click the “Install” button in the address field, which makes Xbox Cloud Gaming behave like a classic desktop application.
Switch between interface views
The new web interface allows a choice between two operating modes. At the start, Full Screen Mode is active, which visually resembles the interface of the Xbox console the most. Alternatively, it’s possible to turn on Desktop Mode, which offers a sidebar and element layout similar to the Xbox app on Windows 11.
Changing the mode is done by clicking on the Xbox button, then on Settings in the lower right corner, then on Appearancewhere the desired display is selected: Desktop Mode or Full Screen Mode.
Although it is an early test version, the new Xbox Cloud Gaming web interface clearly shows the direction in which Microsoft is developing the cloud ecosystem for playing video games. The idea is obvious: regardless of whether the game is played through a console, computer or browser, the Xbox experience should look and function the same, and cloud gaming should become an equal part of the entire platform, and not a side option, you can find the details on the Windows Central page.