Welcome to the Xbox family!
Congratulations on acquiring one of the most advanced gaming consoles available today! To help you dive into the gaming world quickly, here are a few key pointers to keep in mind as you unbox your shiny new Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S.
Note: Below, you’ll find our personal tips to get you started on your gaming journey without delay. For more detailed setup instructions, head to Xbox.com by clicking here.
Getting Your Console Ready
Let’s prepare your console for action! Start by following the instructions included in the box to connect to the internet, either through broadband or wireless. Then, plug it into an HDMI-compatible TV and power it on to initiate the update process.
Updating your console is crucial as it ensures you can play new games immediately and keeps your system safe and sound. We recommend completing this step before hooking up any additional peripherals, like external hard drives or battery charging stations, for the best compatibility with today’s and tomorrow’s devices. For a list of compatible accessories, you can visit Xbox.com.
Depending on your connection speed and how many updates are needed, this might take a bit of time. If you’re gifting the console, consider doing this beforehand to allow the recipient to jump into gaming faster.
While the console updates, download the Xbox app on iOS or Android. This app offers step-by-step guidance and lets you manage your console from your smartphone. Parents or guardians might also want to download the Xbox Family Settings app, which adds extra control and safety features — more on this shortly.
Setting Up Your Free Xbox Account
To join the fun of free-to-play multiplayer games and connect with the community, you’ll need a free Xbox account. It’s easy to sign up here. Already have a Microsoft account from other services like Windows or Outlook? You can use that!
This is also a great chance to set up a Family Group, especially useful if younger players are in the house. Create individual accounts for everyone, and as the organizer, you can tailor content and screen time controls. Explore more about Family Groups on Xbox here.
Family Settings Tailored to You
If the console is for a child under 13, be sure to set up a child account. This simplifies things for parents looking to monitor console activities with the Xbox Family Settings app on iOS or Android.
Customize their experience by setting screen time limits, managing content restrictions, adjusting communication settings, reviewing friend requests, and setting spending caps on the Xbox Store. These settings can be tweaked anytime, promoting healthy gaming habits together.
Energy Efficiency Options
Did you know you can minimize emissions and reduce your Xbox’s energy consumption? Yes, by opting for the Shutdown (energy saving) feature, your console uses up to 20 times less power when turned off compared to Sleep mode. It’s set to this energy-saving mode right out of the box, but you can adjust the settings in the General tab under Power Options.
Embrace Gaming Accessibility
With feedback from the Gaming & Disability Community, many Xbox games now feature Accessibility Tags. These tags highlight accessible features in each game, assisting players with disabilities in selecting suitable titles. The Xbox Series X|S has several built-in features to make gaming inclusive:
- Copilot: Connect two controllers to work as one.
- Xbox Accessories App: Customize your controller’s button layout.
- Speech to Text: Converts speech and chat to on-screen text.
- Quick Settings: Enables fast toggling of Night Mode, High Contrast, etc.
If you have additional feedback while using these features, visit the Xbox Accessibility Insider League (XAIL) FAQ page. For comprehensive accessibility settings, visit Xbox.com’s Accessibility section. Xbox collaborates with the disability community on games that are highly accessible:
- Forza Motorsport: Offers Blind Driving Assists for visually impaired players.
- Forza Horizon 5: Includes ASL/BSL interpreters during cinematic scenes.
- Grounded: Arachnophobia Safe Mode adjusts the appearance of spiders.
The Xbox Adaptive Controller enhances gaming for players with limited mobility. It acts as a central hub for assistive devices. Discover more about it, including the user guide, here.
Explore Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership gives you access to online multiplayer and over a hundred high-quality games. This includes major titles from day one like Gears of War, Halo, and Forza, plus unique ID@Xbox games and frequent new additions. Game Pass Ultimate also offers access to PC games, Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), member discounts, and EA Play membership, featuring EA Sports FC, Battlefield, and Star Wars games.
If you’re a PC gamer, explore Game Pass for PC with the Xbox app on Windows. Browse a wide variety of PC games, get recommendations, and find your next adventure with ease. This includes EA Play on PC at no extra cost, providing access to EA’s top games, special rewards, and early game trials.
Xbox Game Pass Core gives access to online multiplayer and over 25 quality games on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. You’ll find member deals and discounts of up to 50% off select titles with Game Pass.
For the expanded library, consider Xbox Game Pass Standard. It offers everything in Game Pass Core, plus hundreds of additional games for a low monthly price, though it doesn’t include immediate access to new releases.
Time to Play!
With everything ready, it’s time to dive into the world of gaming! For new releases and bestseller updates, visit the Games section on Xbox.com. Don’t miss our Xbox Sales & Specials page for great deals on games, consoles, and accessories to enhance your gaming experience.
Be sure to check out the Xbox Gear Shop for the latest in Xbox merchandise and clothing, and visit the Microsoft Store on Xbox for the newest releases, exclusive titles, season passes, and more — all at competitive prices.
One of Xbox’s thrilling features, Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), included with a Game Pass Ultimate membership, lets you stream an array of high-quality games, allowing you to play Xbox console games on various devices, including your mobile devices, tablets, and PCs.
Each membership tier includes Xbox Remote Play, letting you play games installed on your console on any compatible PC, Android, or iOS device. Learn more about Xbox Remote Play here.
Once again, congratulations on joining the Xbox community! If you haven’t already, bookmark Xbox Wire to keep up with the latest news and updates on your favorite games across consoles, PCs, and the cloud.
