Your ARM-based Windows laptops might have killer battery life, but are they serious gaming machines? According to Xbox's latest announcement, the answer is a solid 'yes', though with a few caveats. The official Xbox app is now available on all Arm-based Windows 11 devices, unlocking a huge portion of the Game Pass library for native play.
A Library at Your Fingertips
For a long time, gaming on an ARM-based PC was an exercise in frustration. That seems to be changing in a big way. With this update, Microsoft confirms that more than 85% of the entire PC Game Pass catalogue is now compatible with these devices. This isn't a small beta test; it's a substantial library of games you can now download and play directly, including many of the titles in the December Xbox Game Pass Drop. The company says support will continue to grow as the platform's capabilities expand.
The Tech That Makes It Tick
This wasn't a simple app port. Microsoft has made some mighty impressive updates under the hood. Prism, the emulator that runs traditional x64 software on Arm, now supports AVX and AVX2 instructions. In simple terms, this boosts compatibility for many modern games that rely on these instruction sets. I was also happy to see that Epic Anti-Cheat (EAC) is now supported, which means popular online titles like Fortnite and Gears of War: Reloaded are no longer off-limits for Arm users.
A Cloud-Based Safety Net
What about the other 15% of games? For titles that aren't yet running natively, Microsoft has a convenient fallback. The Xbox app has Xbox Cloud Gaming built right in. This means you can stream unsupported games directly to your device without downloading them, as long as you have a stable internet connection. It’s a smart way to bridge the compatibility gap while the team works with partners to bring more games over to the native platform. While Windows 11 has had its share of bugs, this kind of integrated thinking shows a strong commitment to the platform's future.
How to get it
The Xbox app update is free for all users with an ARM-based Windows 11 PC. To access the games, you will need an active PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate subscription. The update should roll out automatically through the Microsoft Store, allowing you to jump in and start downloading compatible games immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Xbox app on Arm-based Windows 11 PCs?
The Xbox app is now fully available on Arm-based Windows 11 devices. It allows users to download and play a wide range of games from the Xbox PC app game catalog directly on their machines.
What percentage of Game Pass games are compatible with Arm-based Windows 11?
According to Microsoft, more than 85% of the PC Game Pass catalog is now compatible with Arm-based Windows 11 PCs. The company has stated that this support will continue to grow over time.
How does Epic Anti-Cheat (EAC) support help Arm-based Windows 11 gaming?
The addition of Epic Anti-Cheat (EAC) support is crucial for online multiplayer games. It enables fan-favourite titles that use this anti-cheat software, like Fortnite and Gears of War: Reloaded, to run properly on Arm-based Windows 11 PCs.
Can I play unsupported games on Arm-based Windows 11 PCs?
Yes. For titles that are not yet running natively on Arm, you can use the same Xbox PC app to stream them via Xbox Cloud Gaming. This requires a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and a stable internet connection.
Is this a free update?
The update to the Xbox app itself is free for all Arm-based Windows 11 users. However, to download and play the vast majority of the games, you will need a paid PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Written by
Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates and news
Member discussion