If you want to play Xbox games on a Mac, the easiest method in 2026 is Xbox Cloud Gaming.
It works directly in a browser on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, does not require an Xbox console and takes only a few minutes to set up.
If you already own an Xbox, you can now also use Xbox Remote Play on a Mac through a browser. Microsoft added web-based Remote Play in 2025, so you no longer need a third-party Mac app such as OneCast to stream games from your console.
We’ve tested Xbox Cloud Gaming on a Mac and found it the best option overall, although the right method depends on whether you own an Xbox and whether the game you want is available in the cloud.
| Method | Xbox Required? | What You Can Play | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Cloud Gaming | No | Cloud-supported Game Pass games and selected digital games you own | The easiest option for most Mac users |
| Xbox Remote Play | Yes | Games installed on your Xbox console | Xbox owners who want access to their own library |
| GeForce Now | No | Supported PC Game Pass and Microsoft Store games | PC versions and higher streaming quality |
| Windows on a Mac | No | Compatible Windows PC versions | A limited selection of games that must run locally |
Which Method Should You Use?
For most Mac users, we recommend Xbox Cloud Gaming. It is the quickest to set up, works on almost any modern Mac and does not require a console or Windows.
If you already have an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One, Xbox Remote Play is the best alternative. It lets you stream games already installed on your console, including titles that are not available through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
GeForce Now is worth checking if you want the PC version of a game, especially if it is included with PC Game Pass but not available in Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Installing Windows is now the least attractive option for most people. It may work for some PC games, but game compatibility is far more limited on Apple Silicon Macs than cloud streaming.
1. Xbox Cloud Gaming: Best Overall
Xbox Cloud Gaming is the easiest and best way to play Xbox games on a Mac in 2026.
Games run on Microsoft’s servers and are streamed to your Mac through Safari, Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Nothing is installed on your Mac, so its processor, graphics chip and available storage make little difference.
It is also our top choice in our comparison of the best cloud gaming services for Mac.
Xbox Cloud Gaming works on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, including M1, M2, M3, M4 and newer models.
You also do not need to own an Xbox. All you need is a Microsoft account, a supported game, a good internet connection and, for most games, a compatible controller.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Plans and Prices
One important change is that Xbox Cloud Gaming is no longer exclusive to Game Pass Ultimate. In 2026, cloud gaming is included with all three main Xbox Game Pass plans:
- Game Pass Essential: $9.99/£6.99 per month with a library of more than 50 games.
- Game Pass Premium: $14.99/£10.99 per month with more than 200 games and shorter cloud wait times.
- Game Pass Ultimate: $22.99/£16.99 per month with the biggest library, new games on day one, the best streaming quality and the shortest wait times.
Prices are correct at the time of writing but Microsoft changes its plans and introductory offers regularly, so check the current Game Pass prices before subscribing.
For the widest selection and best streaming experience, Game Pass Ultimate remains the best plan. However, Essential or Premium may be enough if the games you want are included with those tiers.
Note that PC Game Pass on its own does not include Xbox Cloud Gaming. You need Essential, Premium or Ultimate, although PC Game Pass can be used with selected games through GeForce Now, which we cover later.
You can also play selected free-to-play games such as Fortnite on a Mac through Xbox Cloud Gaming with a free Microsoft account and no Game Pass subscription.
You Can Stream Selected Games You Own
Xbox Cloud Gaming is no longer limited to games included with Game Pass.
Microsoft’s Stream Your Own Game feature allows Game Pass Essential, Premium and Ultimate subscribers to stream a growing selection of supported digital Xbox games they have purchased, even when those games are not included in the Game Pass catalogue.
This still does not mean that every Xbox game you own can be streamed. Check the Stream Your Own Game library before buying a game specifically to use on your Mac.
How To Use Xbox Cloud Gaming on a Mac
- Connect an Xbox, PlayStation or other supported controller to your Mac. For an Xbox Wireless Controller, open System Settings > Bluetooth, put the controller into pairing mode and select it when it appears.
- Open xbox.com/play in Safari, Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Subscribe to Game Pass Essential, Premium or Ultimate if the game requires it. You can skip this for supported free-to-play games such as Fortnite.
- Select a game and click Play.
You can watch us using Xbox Cloud Gaming running on a Mac in the video below and see just how quickly you can get started:
You can also read our full Xbox Cloud Gaming review for a closer look at performance, picture quality and latency.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Requirements on a Mac
Microsoft currently supports macOS 14.1.2 or later with Safari 16 or later, Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
For the best results, Microsoft recommends at least 20 Mbps on computers and tablets. We also recommend using a 5GHz or 6GHz Wi-Fi connection, or connecting your Mac by Ethernet with a compatible adapter.
A fast connection does not always guarantee low latency. Your distance from Microsoft’s servers, network congestion and other devices using your connection can all affect responsiveness.
Most games are designed for a controller. Selected cloud games support a keyboard and mouse when played in Edge or Chrome, but support varies by title. There is no longer any need to install an unofficial Chrome keyboard extension simply to check whether a game supports keyboard controls.
The main disadvantages of Xbox Cloud Gaming are that the game library depends on your Game Pass tier, streaming quality is not as sharp as running a game locally, and busy periods can result in a queue. Cloud gaming also supports only one player and one account at a time, so it is not suitable for local multiplayer on the same Mac.
2. Xbox Remote Play: Best If You Own an Xbox
Xbox Remote Play lets you stream games from your own Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One to a Mac.
Unlike Xbox Cloud Gaming, the game runs on your console rather than on Microsoft’s cloud servers. This means you need to own an Xbox and the game must be installed on it.
The major change for Mac users is that Remote Play now works officially through a web browser. Go to xbox.com/remoteplay on your Mac and sign in with the Microsoft account connected to your console.
You do not need an Xbox Game Pass subscription simply to use Remote Play. However, individual games may require Game Pass for online multiplayer, and you still need to own or otherwise have access to the game on your Xbox.
Remote Play is especially useful when:
- A game you own is not available through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
- You want to play a disc-based game that is installed on your Xbox. The disc must remain in the console.
- Another person is using the television connected to the Xbox.
- You want access to your console from another room or while away from home.
It can also stream supported backward-compatible games from the original Xbox and Xbox 360, a feature Microsoft added to web-based Remote Play in 2025.
How To Set Up Xbox Remote Play on a Mac
First, enable Remote Play on the console:
- Press the Xbox button on the controller and open Profile & system > Settings.
- Select Devices & connections > Remote features.
- Enable Remote features and run Test remote play if the option is shown.
- Under Power options, select Sleep so that your Mac can wake the console remotely.
Then connect from the Mac:
- Pair a supported controller with your Mac through System Settings > Bluetooth or connect it by USB.
- Open xbox.com/remoteplay in a supported browser.
- Sign in with the same Microsoft account used on the Xbox.
- Select your console and start a Remote Play session.
Although Microsoft states that 10 Mbps is the minimum for Remote Play, the quality depends heavily on both ends of the connection. If possible, connect the Xbox to your router by Ethernet and use 5GHz or 6GHz Wi-Fi on the Mac.
When playing away from home, your home connection’s upload speed is just as important as the download speed available to your Mac.
Xbox Cloud Gaming vs Xbox Remote Play
The two services look similar on a Mac but work in different ways.
| Xbox Cloud Gaming | Xbox Remote Play | |
| Where the game runs | Microsoft’s cloud servers | Your Xbox console |
| Xbox console required | No | Yes |
| Game Pass required | Essential, Premium or Ultimate for most games | No, although some games and multiplayer modes require it |
| Available games | Cloud-supported games for your plan and selected purchases | Compatible games installed on your console |
| Best use | Playing without an Xbox | Accessing your own console and game library |
For most Mac users, Xbox Cloud Gaming is still the better option because it requires no console and almost no setup. Remote Play is the better choice if you already own an Xbox and want access to games that are not cloud playable.
3. GeForce Now: Best for Supported PC Game Pass Games
GeForce Now for Mac is another way to stream selected Xbox and PC Game Pass games to macOS.
The important difference is that GeForce Now streams the Windows PC version of a game. Xbox Cloud Gaming usually streams the console version.
GeForce Now connects to game stores and subscriptions including Xbox, Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net and Ubisoft Connect. If a supported title is included with PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate, you can sign in with your Microsoft account and stream it to your Mac.
However, you do not get the entire PC Game Pass library. The game must also be supported by GeForce Now, so check NVIDIA’s game list first.
GeForce Now may be a better choice when:
- The PC version is available on GeForce Now but the console version is not on Xbox Cloud Gaming.
- You already own the PC version through the Microsoft Store, Steam or another supported store.
- You want higher streaming resolutions or frame rates than Xbox Cloud Gaming offers.
- You prefer keyboard and mouse controls in the PC version.
You may need to pay separately for GeForce Now as well as PC Game Pass or the game itself. The free GeForce Now tier is useful for testing, but it has queues, adverts before sessions and limited session lengths. The paid Performance and Ultimate plans currently include 100 hours of playtime per month, with up to 15 unused hours rolling over.
For more, see our full GeForce Now for Mac review.
4. Installing Windows on a Mac
It is possible to access some Xbox PC games by installing Windows on a Mac, but we no longer recommend this as a general way to play Xbox games.
This method runs Windows PC versions, not Xbox console versions, and compatibility depends on the Mac and the individual game.
Apple Silicon Macs
On an Apple Silicon Mac, Parallels Desktop runs Windows 11 for ARM.
Microsoft added support for the Xbox PC app to ARM-based Windows 11 PCs in January 2026, so the app itself can now run on Windows 11 ARM. However, that does not mean every Game Pass title will work in Parallels.
Games may still fail because of anti-cheat systems, unsupported graphics features, driver requirements or limitations in Windows on ARM’s translation of Intel-based games. Performance is also lower than running on a native Windows gaming PC.
Parallels may be worth trying for a lightweight or older PC game with confirmed compatibility, but Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce Now is far easier for demanding games.
Intel Macs
Intel Mac users can run Windows through a virtual machine or Boot Camp.
Boot Camp provides better gaming performance because Windows runs directly on the Mac’s hardware. However, Apple officially supports only Windows 10 through Boot Camp, and standard support for Windows 10 ended in October 2025. Windows 11 can be installed on some Intel Macs using workarounds, but it is not officially supported by Apple.
This makes Boot Camp increasingly difficult to recommend purely for Xbox gaming in 2026, especially when the same game can be streamed through Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce Now.
What About OneCast and Xbox-xCloud-Client?
OneCast was previously one of the easiest ways to use Xbox Remote Play on a Mac because Microsoft did not provide an official Mac app.
It may still work, but there is little reason for most users to pay for it now that Microsoft provides Xbox Remote Play directly at xbox.com/remoteplay.
We have also removed Xbox-xCloud-Client as a recommended method. Unsupported third-party clients require more setup, can stop working when Microsoft changes its streaming service and no longer provide a clear advantage over the official browser version.
FAQ
Is There an Xbox App for Mac?
There is still no official Xbox app for macOS. On a Mac, Microsoft provides Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Remote Play through the Xbox website instead.
You can use xbox.com/play for cloud gaming or xbox.com/remoteplay to stream from your own console.
Can You Use Xbox Game Pass on a Mac?
Yes. Game Pass Essential, Premium and Ultimate include Xbox Cloud Gaming, which works in a supported Mac browser.
PC Game Pass does not include Xbox Cloud Gaming, but selected PC Game Pass games can be streamed through GeForce Now. You can also install compatible PC games in Windows, although this is much less reliable on Apple Silicon Macs.
Can You Play Xbox Games on a Mac Without an Xbox?
Yes. Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now do not require an Xbox console.
Xbox Remote Play does require an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One because it streams games from the console to your Mac.
Can You Play Xbox Games on a Mac Without Game Pass?
You can play supported free-to-play cloud games such as Fortnite with a free Microsoft account. You can also use Xbox Remote Play without a Game Pass subscription to stream games you own from your console.
For other games on Xbox Cloud Gaming, you need Game Pass Essential, Premium or Ultimate. Streaming a supported purchased game through the cloud also requires one of these subscriptions.
Do You Need an Xbox Controller?
An Xbox Wireless Controller provides the most consistent experience, but it is not the only option. Xbox Cloud Gaming also supports controllers including the Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation DualSense and DualShock 4.
Selected cloud games support a keyboard and mouse in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. Support is game-specific, so a controller is still the safest choice.
See our guide to connecting a controller to a Mac for setup instructions.
Can You Play Xbox Discs on a Mac?
You cannot insert an Xbox disc into a Mac and play it directly.
If a disc-based game is installed on your Xbox and supports Remote Play, you can stream it from the console to your Mac, but the disc must remain inserted in the Xbox.
Does Xbox Play Anywhere Work on a Mac?
Xbox Play Anywhere does not provide native macOS versions. It gives you both the Xbox and Windows PC versions of participating digital games, with shared saves and achievements.
You may be able to run the Windows version on a Mac through Boot Camp or Parallels, but only if the game and your Windows setup are compatible.
What Internet Speed Do You Need?
For Xbox Cloud Gaming on a Mac, Microsoft recommends at least 20 Mbps and a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection. Ethernet is usually even more stable if your Mac has a port or compatible adapter.
Xbox Remote Play has a stated minimum of 10 Mbps, but it also depends on the upload speed and stability of the network connected to your Xbox.
What Is the Best Way To Play Xbox Games on a Mac?
Xbox Cloud Gaming is the best method for most Mac users because it is easy to set up, works on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs and does not require an Xbox or Windows.
If you already own an Xbox and want to play a game that is not available in the cloud, use the official Xbox Remote Play website instead.