Microsoft has announced that it will end support for the Xbox Console Companion app on Windows PCs on August 28, 2023. The app, launched in 2014 as the Xbox app and later renamed in 2019, allowed users to access various features from their Xbox One consoles on their PC, such as browsing and purchasing games, viewing achievements and game captures, and accessing the Xbox Live community content.
The Xbox Console Companion app will be deprecated on August 28, meaning it will no longer be available for download or have official support from Microsoft. Users who try to access the app after that date will likely be unable to sign in, as the servers for the app will be shut down.
Microsoft encourages fans who enjoyed the companion app’s features to download the new Xbox app, which offers additional features and connectivity with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S through Windows.
The new Xbox app, launched in 2019 alongside Xbox Game Pass for PC, is designed to be the ultimate gaming companion for Windows users. It allows PC owners to download and play PC games, remote play Xbox console games on their local network on their PC, access Xbox Cloud Gaming if they are subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and more.
By @JCalNEO – Microsoft’s Xbox Console Companion app, which was originally the Xbox Windows 10 app, will no longer be available after August 28, 2023 as Microsoft has moved on to the current Xbox Windows app. #XboxConsoleCompanion #Retired https://t.co/HGAStCToqF
— NeowinFeed (@NeowinFeed) July 30, 2023
The app also received a recent update in May that added features like viewing your Xbox friends list and chat window while continuing to game on your PC. The new Xbox app is included with installations of Windows 11, so users who transition from Windows 10 will have immediate access to the app without needing to download it from the Microsoft Store.
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The app also supports Windows 10 devices and is available for mobile platforms. The new Xbox app replaces the older Xbox Console Companion app, which was focused on connectivity with Xbox One consoles. The decision to retire the Xbox Console Companion app may surprise some fans who have been using the app for nearly eight years.
However, Microsoft seems to be streamlining its gaming services and apps for Windows users, and the new Xbox app offers more functionality and integration with the latest Xbox consoles. Users who want to stay connected to all things Xbox and gaming on their Windows device are advised to switch to the new Xbox app before August 28.