Fire TV devices allow you to stream on Xbox Cloud without the need for a console

Microsoft’s platform-agnostic future of gaming took another step forward with the launch of its Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming platform on Amazon Fire TV devices.

While hardware remains part of Microsoft’s vision, led by the Xbox Series X, streaming games to other devices is gaining in possibilities. In Australia, the Xbox app will come to some Fire TV devices from July.

For now, only the 2023 Fire TV 4K Max and Fire TV Stick 4K devices will receive the app. The open-ended wording of the announcement hints at further compatibility in the future. In fact, it’s likely that future Amazon devices will support Xbox cloud streaming.

Once the app is disabled, playing Xbox games will require a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and a Bluetooth controller. Some free games, e.g Fortnitethey even support cloud streaming without a paid subscription. The main advantage is that the combined cost of the Fire TV Stick, subscription, and controller is less than buying the console itself.

Xbox Fire TV App Library — Photo: Amazon / Microsoft.

Xbox already supports cloud streaming on a variety of non-Microsoft platforms, including Samsung TVs, PCs, and phones. Compatibility with Fire TV is another way to play games without having to buy a new TV or other expensive hardware.

The only catch is that it relies on a stable internet connection. A wired connection with a download speed of at least 20 Mbps is recommended. Alternatively, the next best thing is a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band.

When will the Fire TV Xbox app be available?

Outside of the July window, there is no set date yet. Once the app is available, setting it up will be as simple as signing in to your Microsoft account, connecting a Bluetooth controller, and streaming to your heart’s content.

“For those who don’t own an Xbox console, this is an affordable and convenient way to get started,” said Ashley McKissick, corporate vice president of Xbox Experience and Platform Engineering.

“With the Xbox app available on select Fire TV devices, customers will enjoy access to a huge library of high-quality games, allowing them to play amazing titles without having to own a console,” added Patrick Walker, country manager for Amazon Devices in Australia and New Zealand.

Most major Xbox games support cloud streaming. Forza, HaloAND Field of Stars are among those covered by the subscription service, just like Fall games – another attraction after Amazon’s popular series based on the post-apocalyptic franchise.

Until Xbox support is available on Fire TV, check out Amazon’s announcement for more details.