Got a smartphone? Did you know you can mirror it to your Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One?

With our simple guide below you can unlock a completely new way to enjoy your games console that will save you any faffing around with wires and connecting to various devices.

Capitalising on the success of Xbox Game Pass, available across Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video, its clear to see Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One owners are already streaming content from the internet on their consoles. However, here's how to go one step further and mirror your entire smartphone screen onto the device...

Follow this handy guide and you'll be able to pair your Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One for all kinds of extra uses. Displaying photo slideshows, holding big-screen video calls, or just playing the latest mobile games on your TV, the possibilities are endless!

So, enough small talk, here's what you've been reading for: our simple step-by-step guide suitable for both Android and iOS users to mirror to their Xbox...

What is device mirroring?

Before we begin, here's a quick explanation of what device mirroring is if you're not familiar with it already.

Device mirroring allows you to beam whatever is showing on your smartphone directly to a different device for display. And when we say whatever, we mean it — user interface and all.

This happens differently and is called different things depending on which phone you have. iPhone users do so through AirPlay, which typically is only supposed to work on Apple TV.

Those with Android phones use a more open standard called Miracast, which is built into many smartphones, TVs, set-top boxes, and multimedia devices. Sometimes, this function might be called something else like Wireless Display or have some other proprietary name; either way, it's all based on the same tech.

This feature was originally available from Microsoft as part of the Xbox One preview program. It worked well, but Microsoft never fully launched it to the masses, despite it being oft-requested. Thankfully, there exists a powerful alternative; all it takes is an app download.

AirServer for Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One

Enter AirServer (or as we like to call it, Air Savior). The app makes it perfectly simple to mirror both iPhone and Android phones to your Xbox One. As long as you're using an Android phone with Miracast enabled or an iPhone, you won't even need to download anything other than the AirServer app on Xbox.

Here's how to get it:

1. On your Xbox, head to the Xbox Store .
2. Open the search box and type in AirServer .
3. Download AirServer.
4. Launch AirServer.

And that's it! The rest of the magic happens mostly on your smartphone.

How to mirror your Android phone to your Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One

Here's where things get a bit tricky. First, you need to figure out whether your phone supports Miracast. You can usually find this information on your phone's box, in its manual, or at its listing on the website of the manufacturer.

Most modern phones should have this feature baked in, either branded as Miracast or with a unique name used by your phone maker. The process for using the feature may also differ from phone to phone. Here's a quick rundown of how to do it on phones from some of the most popular Android device makers:

• Samsung: This feature is called "Smart View" on newer Samsung phones, and you access it by tapping the Smart View button in the quick launch bar of your notifications pane.
• LG: LG calls it Wireless Display, and it's available at Settings > Connected devices > Screen sharing .
• Sony: Sony refers to Miracast by its natural name, and it's available at Settings > Device connection > Screen mirroring .

Once you've figured out how to access the feature, you'll need to establish the connection between your phone and your Xbox. This should typically be as simple as selecting your Xbox from a list of Miracast-capable devices, with the Xbox One for example showing up as "XBOXONE" by default.

If all goes well, you should see the user interface from your phone pop up on your TV. Using the phone in portrait mode will show black bars on both sides of the picture, but if you turn the phone over into landscape mode it should fill the screen.

Feel free to show whatever you want from here, including games, pictures, videos, and apps. Do note, however, that some premium video apps - such as Netflix - protect their content using digital rights management, and as such it will not properly show the video playing back on your TV.

How to mirror your iPhone to your Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One

iPhone owners will find a much more straightforward experience than folks on Android. There's no hunting down info on whether your phone supports Miracast and how to use it on your particular phone. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you have AirPlay, and that's how you're going to mirror your phone to your Xbox.

The lone prerequisite we discussed before applies here: download AirServer . Now, on your iOS device:

1. Open control center. On iPhone X or before, you can access this by swiping down from the upper right corner of your screen. On all other iPhones and iPads with iOS 10 or later, you swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap the AirPlay icon. It should have a sub-label called "Screen Mirroring" .
3. Select your Xbox from the list.

Also like Android, premium video apps are protected for copyright purposes, so attempting to play video from apps like Netflix may not work.

Troubleshooting

If all goes well then you won't have any issues getting this going, but there are a couple of common problems that may spring up in your time with AirServer. Here's a list of potential issues and how to fix them:

• If your app crashes , restart it and try again. Many of the early reviews of AirServer have complained about this, but the developers have seemingly smoothened things out over time.
• If you can't find your Xbox in the list of devices you can mirror to , make sure the Xbox and your phone are on the same network. This typically shouldn't be a problem as both Miracast and AirPlay make use of WiFi Direct technology to make it a seamless experience, but there can still be incompatibility issues. Being on the same network should fix them.
• On iPhone, AirPlay may force video apps to beam content to the Xbox for playback on its built-in video player, meaning you won't be able to show the video in the context of the app's UI. Unfortunately, this is a limitation of iOS itself due to the way Apple implemented AirPlay, so this issue can't be fixed.

Enjoy the big screen!

Hopefully, this has helped you find a new way to enjoy your content, share what you're viewing, or whatever it is you may find screen mirroring on Xbox useful for. Be sure to try AirServer on your Xbox with a free 24-hour trial, and if you find it useful then it's just $10 to make it a permanent piece of your multimedia-viewing arsenal.

Peacock has planted its flag in the gaming community, making its streaming service available via gaming consoles like Xbox, including the Xbox One S and Xbox One X models.

Peacock, the NBCUniversal-owned streaming service, features thousands of hours of TV shows and movies available to stream, including The Office, the Harry Potter franchise, Peacock Originals, next-day availability of current on-air NBC shows and live sports. Consumers can pick from either Peacock or Peacock Premium options, the former a free, ad-free tier, while the latter features $4.99 and $9.99 versions.

Here is how to start watching Peacock on an Xbox gaming console.

How to watch Peacock on Xbox

Xbox users are able to download the Peacock app through the Microsoft Store. When in the store, either browse available apps or type in “Peacock” in the search bar, selecting the app when it pops up and then hitting “Install.” Once the Peacock app is installed, it will appear on the Xbox One S/One X home screen. Launch the app and sign in to start watching Peacock content.

If you are not signed up for Peacock, you can either sign up by visiting Peacocktv.com or directly within the Peacock app. You can also upgrade to Peacock Premium on an Xbox device using in-app purchase.

Xbox is not the only gaming console that the Peacock app is available on, PlayStation owners can also stream Peacock through their PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 consoles. Other platforms where Peacock is available include Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, smart TVs or a personal computer.

Today is a big day in the hardware world because Xbox Series X reviews have dropped. And that's important because what you watch is nearly as important as what you watch something on. 

For more and more folks, that something is a gaming console. And so it was with great interest that I dove into a number of Xbox Series X reviews today to see how it fares as a streaming video setup.

That's not the No. 1 purpose of an Xbox, of course, and XBox Series X is purposefully not the same sort of machine that its predecessors were. It lost some functionality. But at the same time, Blu-Ray has given way to streaming. Cable boxes are slowly dying out. So changes were inevitable.

Jez Cordon's review at Windows Central describes media support as being a mixed bag:

For fans of the old school Xbox vision as the center of your entertainment system, the reality is that the Xbox Series S and X are dropping many of the features that enabled that. HDMI pass-through is gone, along with the IR Blaster. This means that the Xbox Series S and X cannot control your TV/Cable box for surfing channels seamlessly without switching hardware signals. The OneGuide TV app has been completely removed, and perhaps oddly, even the ability to play 3D Blu-Ray has been killed as well. Typically, Microsoft cites low usage as its primary reason for removing features. In fairness, the trends certainly seem to suggest viewership is increasingly moving towards apps like Netflix and Disney+, as over-the-air and cable TV viewership wanes. Still, if you built up your entertainment system around the Xbox One's features, it may sting to know that these are gone.

TechRadar looks at things from more of a UK perspective, which is when they ran into issues with missing services. That's not unexpected at launch, however.

From the review by Vic Hood, Nick Pino and Adam Vjestica:

While all the most popular entertainment apps are available, we did find that there are still some (more regional apps) that we wish we had access to, such as ITV Hub and All 4 in the UK. However, Microsoft has promised that there will be more apps available at launch, so we may see these added eventually.

Games Radar's Josh West wishes the Quick Resume feature also worked on things that aren't games. From his review:

If there's any major failing of the entertainment experience on Series X, it's that Quick Resume does not extend to media. If you're watching a show on Disney Plus or a movie on Netflix, for example, they won't suspend in place should you decide to switch your attention to a game and then back again. While it's fast enough to resume playback, it would have been nice to pick straight back up from where you left off with entertainment, just as you're able to do with games. Still, this frustration aside, the Xbox Series X is a capable entertainment hub – it just isn't the focal point of the entire experience. 

Other Xbox Series X reviews you should check out:

• Toms Guide calls the Xbox Series X "The One Xbox to rule them all"
• PCGamer looks at whether X Box Series X can replace a full PC rig
• T3: It's a console that can go the distance

Microsoft today announced that when the new generation of Xbox — that's the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series X — is released on Nov. 10, 2020, the Apple TV app is coming along with it.

And that means that you'll be able to enjoy anything and everything you get via Apple TV on other platforms (like iPhone and Mac) through your Xbox. And that includes Apple TV Channels (so you can subscribe to other streaming services like CBS All Access via your Apple account), as well as Apple TV+, home to exclusives like Ted Lasso and For All Mankind.

Here's what Microsoft had to say about that:

When our all-new Xbox family of consoles launch worldwide on November 10, you’ll have more than just the entertainment apps you enjoy today on Xbox One. We’re excited to share that the Apple TV app is coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on November 10.

The Apple TV app gives you access to thousands of shows and movies from one convenient location, allowing you to enjoy Apple TV+, Apple TV channels, brand-new and popular movies, and personalized entertainment recommendations. 

In addition to the addition of Apple TV on Xbox, Microsoft also announced that "your favorite entertainment apps you enjoy today on Xbox One will be available on Xbox Series X and Series S." That's not all that surprising, though confirmation that the new generation of Xbox will be as good (better, really) a multimedia device as the Xbox One generation is important.

Theoretically, everything you use for TV and movies today on Xbox will continue to work on the new hardware. Now all you have to do is find an excuse to upgrade.

When we say Xbox, everyone thinks gaming first. That's a natural response, but if you own an Xbox you know that it's great at lots of other things including streaming video. You may not shell out for the top of the line console just to watch "Stranger Things", but if you have an Xbox, you don't need anything else to get great streaming content. That includes special events, like UFC 250 Pay-Per-View on ESPN+ .

Let's do a quick rundown of what you'll need to do exactly that. You'll need an Xbox , but chances are you already have one of those. You'll also need a subscription to ESPN+ , and then you can buy the UFC 250 Pay-Per-View . If you don't have ESPN+, don't sweat it. You can bundle it with the Pay-Per-View, though, which will earn you a discount on the streaming sports service.

Now you may need the basics on the fight. UFC 250 is going down live on Saturday, June 6, from the UFC APEX Facility in Las Vegas. The Early Prelims come first at 6 p.m. Eastern, and the Prelims take over at 8 p.m. Both the Early Prelims and Prelims will air simultaneously on ESPN and ESPN+. The Main Card will be on at 10 p.m., and it is fully stacked with main event quality fights.

If you are ready to lock in to watch, then here is everything you need to know about getting UFC 250 on your Xbox.

How to watch UFC 250 on Xbox

1. Open ESPN Xbox One app.
2. Select the "ESPN+" tab on the top right corner.
3. Scroll down and you should see a giant banner for the UFC 250 fight on Saturday.
4. If you don't see the banner, scroll down further past "Live" and "Top On Demand" to the dedicated "Get Ready for UFC 250" section.
5. The first banner should take you directly to the fight.
6. If you haven't bought the fight yet, it will offer you a chance to purchase it, along with an annual plan.

How much will UFC 250 Pay Per View cost?

• Are you new to ESPN+? Get a special offer of UFC 250 PPV and a year of ESPN+ for only $84.98.
• Already a monthly ESPN+ subscriber? Upgrade to an annual plan to bundle UFC 250 PPV and a year of ESPN+ for only $84.98.
• If you subscribe to ESPN+ or get ESPN+ through the Disney+ bundle, you can choose to purchase UFC 250 PPV alone for only $64.99.

Watch UFC 250

You can order the livestream of UFC 250 Nunes vs. Spencer today. New ESPN+ subscribers pay $84.98 for this pay-per-view and 1 year of ESPN+. Existing subscribers can pay just $64.99 for just the event, or $84.98 to upgrade from monthly to a 1 year subscription with the event. Either way, you will get an exciting night of top fights including Nunes vs. Spencer on June 6 .

At long last, one of the bigger holes in the Fubo TV lineup has been filled with the addition of an app for Xbox One X and Xbox One S. With it, users will be able to watch live TV and thousands of tiles on-demand through Fubo TV.

Fubo TV also is one of the few services in the United States that supports 4K resolution (upscaled, of course, but we'll take what we can get), and that'll be supported on Xbox, too. Most of those 4K shows were live sports, though.

You'll also be able to "record" entire series, manage those recordings, and have up to six profiles associated with your account.

Said Min Kim, vice president of business development for fuboTV: "At a time when it's more important than ever to stay informed with the latest news and be entertained at home with movies, TV shows and the coming return of live sports, we're thrilled to bring the fuboTV app to the Xbox One."

Fubo's chief technology officer, Geir Magnusson Jr., weighed in on the technical side of the Xbox app.

"Microsoft makes it easy for us to bring our HTML5 TV application to their platform," Magnusson said. "We'll continue to iterate on the app to leverage even more Xbox One features."

Magnusson also said that the HTML5 platform will allow a fuboTV app to come to even more platforms in the future.

"This is just the beginning! We look forward to bringing fuboTV's HTML 5 TV application to even more platforms, including other gaming consoles and smart TVs."

Future updates to the fuboTV app on Xbox also will optimize for the Xbox remote control, including quick restarts and time skips, and it'll be able to take advantage of faster load times.

FuboTV starts at $54.99 a month for more than 100 channels, 30 hours of DVR, and the ability to watch on two devices at the same time. Another $5 a month bumps you up to the "family" plan, with an extra simultaneous device. And the fubo Ultra plan gets you 171 channels, 500 hours of DVR, extra sports and three screens for $79.99.

Best answer: No, you can't use an Xbox to watch Apple TV+. It is, however, available pretty much everywhere else, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and various smart TV systems.

• See the shows: Apple TV+ ($5 a month at Apple)
• Now watch them: Apple TV 4K ($179 at Amazon)

Apple streaming originals debut

Apple in November 2019 launched its Apple TV+ streaming service. And it's sort of a mess in terms of branding. "Apple TV" is a hardware platform. It's also an app on all Apple devices. Apple TV+, however, is sort of a subservice that's full of original, exclusive content. And it's not necessarily available on all devices.

Will you be able to use a device you already have, like your gaming console? Can you watch Apple TV+ on Xbox?

Xbox marks the Apple TV+ spot?

Xbox is the center of the living room for gamers who love the system. It's not just for games either; the Xbox One has the power to run any streaming app on the platform. But can you use it to watch Apple TV+ this fall?

Unfortunately, Apple TV+ is not available to watch on Xbox devices. Apple has not included this, or any other gaming console, on the list of devices supporting the service now or in the future.

How to watch Apple TV+ on your TV

Apple has taken a new approach to this service, similar to Apple Music. Instead of locking this content up exclusively to its own hardware, Apple TV+ will be available to watch on some other streaming TV platforms.

If you do want to watch Apple TV+, you will have options even if your Xbox is out. You can watch Apple TV+ on Apple devices with the TV app, including modern iPhones, iPads, and the latest Apple TV devices.

And Apple TV+ is available most everywhere else, including Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, and various smart TV systems, like from LG and Samsung, among others.

Why should I care about Apple TV+?

Apple TV+ is a standalone streaming service with new original shows available from some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. From The Morning Show with Jennifer Anniston to Home Before Dar" from Hilde Lysiak, viewers should expect a wide variety of options. Apple TV+ subscriptions will be included with the purchase of Apple devices, including new iPhones and iPads, so a lot of people are going to have the option to access the service right away.

Best Answer: Yes, Disney Plus (Disney+) is available on the Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X. You can also stream Disney+ through desktop web browsers on Windows computers.

Get your Disney fix: Disney+ (From $7/month at Disney+)

Which Xbox consoles can get Disney+?

Disney+ is available on the entire Xbox One family of devices. This includes the Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X. You can also get Disney+ on other Windows devices, since it is accessible through a desktop web browser.

What other devices can I watch Disney+ on?

If you don't have an Xbox, don't worry, you can also get Disney+ on a nice selection of platforms and devices, including:

• Android phones and tablets
• Android TV devices
• Google Chromecast
• Apple TV (tvOS)
• iPhone (iOS)
• iPad (iPadOS)
• Desktop web browsers
• Playstation 4
• Android-based Sony TVs
• Samsung smart TVs
• LG smart TVs
• Roku
• Amazon Fire TV devices
• Amazon Fire tablets

You can download Disney+ from each platform's respective digital storefront.

Fix annoying connection and playback issues

As with other streaming services, you're bound to encounter some connection and playback issues every now and then. Error 83 is one of the more commonly reported issues, which involves the Disney+ servers just being overwhelmed with users, which can happen when new episodes of shows come out.

Other problems may just be more general connection issues with your modem and router, internet speeds, and the like. Make sure to follow basic troubleshooting protocol, such as restarting your device, app, and checking your speeds to see if your Disney+ problems get fixed.

What is Disney+?

Disney+ is the streaming service where you're exclusively most Disney family-friendly content going forward, with access to hundreds of films and thousands of TV episodes from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Fox, and National Geographic, and of course Disney.

A lot of Disney content on other streaming services has been or will be pulled after current license agreements expire and will be living on Disney+. This has been a long time coming, but the transition of content to Disney+ will still take a couple of years, especially with the recently acquired 20th Centur Fox content.

How much does Disney+ cost?

By itself, Disney+ will run you $7 a month or $70 annually. However, there's also a bundle that gets you Disney+, ESPN+, and ad-supported Hulu for $13 a month.

When is Disney+ available?

Disney+ launched on Nov. 12, 2019 in the U.S., Canada, and the Netherlands. Austraila and New Zealand also got Disney+ on Nov. 19. It'll release on March 31, 2020 in the U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Ireland. This schedule is subject to change, with other countries getting added in the future.

Microsoft's new Game Pass Ultimate service just launched June 9. It's now available on Amazon, and you can get three months for $19.99 through Amazon's digital services. Normally, the service costs $14.99 a month, so you're saving about $25 using this limited offer. It's limited because you can only redeem it once per account per year. You can also just get your first month for $1, but the deals are mutually exclusive and $20 for 3 months is better value if you plan to play that long.

We're already big fans of the regular Game Pass, which was basically like a Netflix service for Xbox video games. Game Pass Ultimate keeps that and adds two more things: Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass for PC. Essentially, this is how you can play all the games you want and play them online. If you already have an Xbox Live account, diving into Ultimate will convert the time you've already paid for into Ultimate. Learn everything you need to know about Game Pass Ultimate and see all the games available for Game Pass for PC . The Game Pass adds new games all the time and will include new ones as they get released, like the upcoming Gears 5 or Ori and the Will of the Wisps .

A few weeks ago, Microsoft revealed that Xbox One Dolby Vision support was headed to Xbox One S and Xbox One X . While both consoles already supported the HDR10 standard, Dolby Vision is Dolby Digital's own take on the technology.

Microsoft said that the feature would roll out to select Xbox Insiders "soon", but we weren't given a concrete release date. In a surprise announcement on Xbox Wire , Xbox Insider Team Lead Brad Rossetti said, "Dolby Vision HDR releases today on Xbox! Starting with the Alpha Skip Ahead and Alpha rings, Xbox Insiders with a compatible TV can enjoy Dolby Vision streaming content on Netflix on Xbox One S and Xbox One X."

According to Rossetti, there are over 400 hours of content available in Dolby Vision on Netflix including Altered Carbon, Marvel's The Punisher, and Stranger Things. If you're a member of one of those two rings, be sure to give Dolby Vision a go. Don't forget to check our guide to Dolby Vision HDR on Xbox One, which dives deeper into its offerings.

Dolby Vision HDR for Xbox One: Everything We Know

See Xbox One at Amazon

Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!

There are plenty of valid reasons for wanting to move your Xbox One apps from one hard drive to another. Even though apps are relatively small in size, it can help free up that extra bit of space you may need for other important things (like your troll clips in Fortnite).

It's also good for those times when you're getting a new Xbox One, switching between Xbox Ones, or heading to a friend's house to hang out with their Xbox One, as you can move them to an external hard drive and have them at your fingertips without having to redownload them.

No matter your need, we'll show you how ridiculously easy it is to move your apps on an Xbox One.

1. From the Xbox home screen, go to 'My Games & Apps' . You can also find this option by pressing the guide button on your Xbox One controller and selection the My Games & Apps icon.

1. Scroll down to 'Apps' .

1. Highlight the app you want to move and press the Options button on your Xbox One controller.
2. Select 'Manage App' .

1. Highlight 'Move All' and press the A button.

1. Select which hard drive you want to move it to. If you only have one external hard drive, you will only have options for moving it between the internal and external one.
2. Confirm the action by highlighting 'Move' and pressing the A button.

Wait a bit and the app will eventually be moved to your preferred hard drive.

We should also note that the app can instead be copied in case you want to keep the original app on the host machine. In this case, simply follow the instructions above, but substitute the 'Move All' option for the 'Copy All' one . If you're using this guide for purposes of moving to a new Xbox One, simply repeat the steps for moving the apps from your external hard drive to the internal one.

Earlier this week Microsoft outlined the first wave of Xbox One features under the next major system update. With the Redstone 5 update coming soon to select Xbox Insiders , deeper Avatar integration, improved accessibility, and numerous other changes are on the way.

The next Xbox One update is also set to bring support for Dolby Vision – Dolby's in-house High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology bringing a wider color gamut and increased contrast ratio across supported content. While Microsoft currently embraces the open HDR10 standard across Xbox One S and Xbox One X , licensed Dolby Vision support delivers an even wider pool of content.

Xbox Insider head, Bradley Rossetti, previously detailed plans for Dolby Vision video streaming, first limited to the Netflix app. Speaking to CNET , a Microsoft spokesperson has reportedly confirmed 4K HDR Dolby Vision disc compatibility is slated to arrive "with an update for all users this fall."

Dolby Vision support further solidifies the Xbox One's dominance as a cohesive gaming console, building on its media capabilities from launch. Currently, Dolby Vision can get significantly brighter (up to 10,000 nits of brightness) supports 12-bit color, while HDR10 will only be able to hit 4,000 nits and 10-bit color. The technology's dynamic metadata is also processed on a frame-by-frame basis, allowing color settings and brightness to adapt on the fly. Across supported media, your Xbox One video may look better than ever.

Dolby Vision support is currently expected in the coming weeks for select members of the Xbox Insider Program. Are you looking forward to Xbox One Dolby Vision support? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

• See at Microsoft Store
• See at Amazon

The Xbox One may be a gaming console, but it can do so much more. You can watch movies and TV shows on your favorite services like Netflix or Hulu, you can use Pandora to get some tunes going, and you can even catch up with friends and family over Skype.

And we owe it all to apps. If you aren't already initiated in this ritual, we'll show you how to download and install apps to your Xbox One.

How to add apps to your Xbox One

First and foremost, where do you even find apps on Xbox One? This quick guide will get you there in a hurry:

1. On your home screen, scroll all the way to the right.
2. Scroll down until you see "Browse Apps". Select it.

The apps screen gives a nice overview of what's available, showing a mix of popular and new apps to check out. Tap the "all apps" button and you'll be greeted by a sea of apps covering a range of different categories. Here, you can further filter apps by a range of categories, including Education, Entertainment, Music, News and Weather, Photo and Video, and even Personal Finance if you wanted.

If you can't find the app you want by browsing, you can use the search feature to input its name.

Once you've found the app you're looking for, you'll be taken to its store page where you can read its description, read reviews, and check out screenshots. To download it, just press the "Install" button.

How to use your apps

That was simple enough, but what about opening the app in the future? There are two ways to go about doing that. The default way is to open the "My Games and Apps" section of your Xbox:

1. Open the Guide by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.
2. Put your cursor on the left most icon under home. Its text will change to "My Games & Apps". Select it.
3. On the next screen, select the "Apps" category from the left side of your screen.
4. Highlight the app you want to launch and press the A button.

There are some apps you may want to use more often than others, and an easier way to access them is by pinning them to your home screen. Here's how to do it:

1. In My Games & Apps, highlight the app you want to pin and press the Options button on your Xbox One controller.
2. Highlight "Add to Pins" and press the A button.

Once you've done that, you can now find the app in your Pins section either on the Home screen by scrolling all the way down, or opening the Xbox Guide using the Xbox button on your controller and selecting the Pins icon.

Downloading apps from other devices

You don't always have to be on your Xbox to add apps to it thanks to Microsoft's unified Store. You can browse Xbox apps on your phone, tablet, or on your computer through the Xbox app. Just find the Store option and head to the apps category.

Like you would on Xbox, you can use categories or the search function to find the apps you're looking for. If your Xbox has remote installation enabled then the apps will automatically be downloaded to your Xbox once you decide to install it. If this option is off, then you'll still need to initiate the installation on your Xbox:

1. Open "My Games & Apps".
2. Scroll down to "Ready to install".
3. Select the rightmost drop down box at the top and change the filter to "Apps".
4. Highlight the app you want to install and press the A button.
5. Confirm the installation by selecting "Install".

Enjoy more on your Xbox One!

You can tell just by looking at the list of apps available on Xbox One that it has the flexibility to find a permanent spot in your living room. It can do tons of extra stuff while you're not gaming, and getting all that extra stuff couldn't be any easier. Just head to the Xbox Store the next time you're wondering whether it has what you need!

Watching live TV through your Xbox One is pretty easy, but aside from a delightful OneGuide experience, it doesn't really offer up any advanced features. If you want a more competent live TV experience, using Plex is the way to go.

With Plex and just a couple pieces of extra hardware, you'll be able to watch live, local TV through Plex. It'll also be capable of recording shows via DVR, something the Xbox still can't do on its own.

What you'll need

There are just a few things you need if you don't already have them.

• An Xbox One with the Plex app installed
• A PC with the Plex Media Server installed
• Plex Pass subscription
• A digital TV antenna
• A TV tuner such as HDHomeRun

It's a little costly to get started then, but if you've been clamoring for an upgraded TV experience for one upfront charge, this is a good starting point.

Set up your HDHomeRun

First things first, you'll need to set your HDHomeRun up to your PC. This is a relatively straightforward process:

1. Attach the coax cable from your antenna to the input on the back of the HDHomeRun.
2. Connect one end of an ethernet cable to an available port on your router, and another into the ethernet port on the rear of the HDHomeRun.
3. Connect the power cable and plug it in.

Once your hardware is situated, you'll need to get the tuner setup on your PC:

1. Head to my.hdhomerun.com . Once there, the site should automatically detect your HDHomeRun Connect.
2. Download the installer appropriate for your PC, either Windows or Mac OS.
3. Launch the install wizard and let it do its thing.
4. Find the Digital Antenna tab in the resulting TV and click the Scan button. 5 Once finished, you should see a list of channels populate the Channel editor. Hit Next to confirm the setup, and then finish to wrap things up.

How to set up your HDHomeRun tuner

Set TV up on your Plex server

Now that your PC can find the tuner, we have to set the Plex server up so that it can pull all that data in. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Plex Media Server and go to settings .
2. Click server .
3. On the sidebar, click DVR ..
4. Plex will attempt to look for your TV tuner. If installed correctly, the HDHomeRun should show up in your list automatically. Select it and press continue .
5. You should see a list of channels available to you. Confirm the list, and then select your country from the dropdown box. Click continue .
6. Enter your ZIP code. This will allow Plex to pull in the best TV guide info from your local sources. Confirm the program guide you want to use from the dropdown box, then hit continue .

At this point, Plex should be fully capable of delivering live TV to any device in your home that has the Plex app, including your Xbox One.

Using the Plex app on Xbox One

On your Xbox, load the Plex app up and navigate to the Live TV tab to see everything that's on. You'll notice that Plex prefers a library-based approach to listing content compared to channel lineups like you'd get on traditional TV guides.

Don't fret, though. You'll get to see what's on right now, what's coming on next, and what's showing even later.

Once you've found what you want to watch, simply select the show and you'll be taken straight to the live broadcast. TV can be paused in real-time, too. Unfortunately, advanced DVR features like scheduling and managing recordings still have to be done from your PC or mobile phone, but all of the viewing can be done on your Xbox One.

We should also note that Plex does not support any of Xbox's OneGuide features, so pausing, playback, and channel navigation has to be handled within the Plex app. This isn't so terrible of an experience in the Plex app - it's quite delightful there, in fact - but it does mean you can't set your Xbox One to startup directly to TV, nor can you use any of the multimedia remotes compatible with the Xbox One to control things.

But if you don't mind having to open the Plex app and using the controller to navigate it each time you want to watch TV, this is the best setup you're going to find.

The Xbox One was originally built to be the machine that dominates your living room, so it's no surprise that it's one of the best machines -- and definitely the best gaming console -- you can have to watch all your favorite TV shows. If you're ready to make it the center of your home theater then you'll be happy to know that you have a wide range of options for watching TV on it. Let's explore!

Watching TV on Xbox with One Guide

If we're talking about watching TV on the Xbox One then we have to talk about One Guide. One Guide is the centralized Xbox app for watching live TV, but how do you even get that live TV hooked up? HDMI passthrough.

Watching Cable or Satellite TV on Xbox

With HDMI passthrough, you can plug your cable or satellite box into the back of your Xbox One and channel surf right there on the console. There are a couple of benefits to doing this instead of, say, switching inputs on your TV:

• You have less devices and controllers to manage and swap between.
• With Cortana or Kinect, you can change the channel with your voice.

Both of these things are possible thanks to infrared technology; it's built-in on the Xbox One X, and for those with the older models you can add that functionality separately with Kinect. With it, you'll be able to change channels, adjust your volume, pause and resume (if you have a DVR-capable set-top box), access settings, and more, all without having to lift a finger (though that's still an option if you prefer).

What if I don't have cable or satellite?

Even if you aren't a cable subscriber, you can get live TV going on your Xbox One. It'll require the use of a TV tuner that'll let you feed a digital TV antenna's signal into Xbox's USB port. You can buy these online for a reasonable price, so it's a worthy investment if this is the route you're going.

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How to setup One Guide

Once you have your feed of choice, you'll need to setup One Guide to get all the awesome features we mentioned before. This is mind-bogglingly easy thanks to the setup wizard on the Xbox One.

It'll involve you specifying your cable or satellite provider (or lack thereof) and inputting your zip code so One Guide can pull in all the channel listings you have access to.

1. Select whether you're hooking up a set-top box or a TV tuner.
2. Input your ZIP code.
3. Select your TV provider.
4. Enter the manufacturer of your set-top box. If you don't know, go with your provider's own-branded set-top box.
5. The Xbox One will now perform a series of tests to find the correct infrared controls for your set-top box. It will ask you whether an action it tried to take was successfully performed. Respond to each prompt as appropriate.

If you want to control your Xbox with your voice, you'll also be taken through a wizard to identify your TV's infrared codes just as you would with a universal remote controller. Once it's all said and done, you can start watching your favorite live TV shows with all the voice-activated goodness you're here for, complete with a TV guide that you can access even while you're gaming.

1. Identify your TV's brand.
2. The Xbox One goes through another series of tests to find the correct infrared controls for your TV, including mute, volume, settings, and info button functionality.
3. After you're finished, determine whether you want your Xbox to start up on the home page or on your TV feed.

Watch TV by downloading Xbox apps

Another route you can take to watch TV on your Xbox is to download some of the many apps available in the Xbox Store. You'll have to pay a subscription (usually $10 per month) to watch some of the good stuff like HBO and Showtime if you don't have access to these through a cable or satellite provider already.

That said, there's a great deal of free content available if you'd rather not spend any money -- give Crackle or Hulu a try if you don't believe us. Be sure to head to the Xbox Store on your console and check out the extensive selection for yourself.

Stream shows from your PC using Plex

If you happen to have shows on your computer, Plex offers an extremely easy way to stream them to your Xbox One over your home network. You'll need to have your console and computer on the same network, and your computer does have to be switched on when you're ready to watch your TV shows.

You'll first need to download the Plex server app onto your PC. Setting it up is a breeze:

1. Create your Plex account at Plex.tv .
2. Download and install the Plex server app on your PC.
3. Sign into the server using your username and password.
4. Add the folders where your TV shows exist to your Plex library.

Now, on the Xbox One, simply download the Plex app , link it to your Plex account using the short activation code they'll provide, and watch as your screen is populated with all the content being served up by your PC. The cool thing here is that Plex automatically downloads metadata for video files, so as long as your TV shows aren't super obscure it'll present them with proper episode titles, summaries, and previews.

Plex also offers a healthy selection of both free and paid internet channels if you don't have your own video files to stream.

Stream live internet TV on Xbox

Services like Sling TV and YouTube TV are great for gaining access to live premium TV networks for low monthly costs. There are a number of packages available to you, with the cheapest being $20 per month for 25+ channels. You can tack on themed extras -- such as sports, kids, or comedy -- for just $5 each.

Sling TV is also ridiculously easy to set up. Create your account , pay for your package (or get the free trial), and sign into the Sling TV app which, you guessed it, is available on Xbox.

YouTube TV offers much of the same experience, though they only have the one standard $40 package with a few add-ons available between $5 and $15 per month. Like Sling, setup is simple: sign up , download the app and sign in.

Other IPTV Services

Do a bit of searching around and you'll find that there is a seemingly bottomless list of alternative IPTV services to choose from. Many of these services are great and may offer even more value than mainstream offerings, but require more tricky setup if you want to get them going on your Xbox One. You're typically going to have to install these services as custom channels on Kodi.

Once you've figured out which one is right for you, be sure to carefully read instructions for setting it up . Most often, you'll be using the PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on in your Kodi for Xbox app, and then inputting your credentials in the configuration process. Each IPTV service is different, so there may be some setup nuances specific to your provider that you'll want to be aware of.

How do you watch TV on Xbox?

As you can see, you have a ton of options for watching TV on your Xbox One whether you want to pay for it or not. What's your favorite way to tune in?

A gaming console is a great living room addition for any cord cutter. With a bevy of apps, 4K resolution and HDR support — and the ability to play the latest video games on the market — it's the Swiss Army Knife of home entertainment.

If you're like us and agree that a console is near the top of the list of must-have devices for a cord cutter, then you're probably considering an Xbox One X. There are many reasons to own one, and we're here to talk about them.

True 4K gaming

We should mention that there are two Xbox One units. Both the Xbox One X and Xbox One S handle 4K HDR in some fashion. Netflix and Blu-Ray discs both play in fully native 4K with HDR and Dolby Vision, where available.

The difference, however, comes in the gaming department. While the Xbox One S can upscale some 1080p games to 4K, it can't run truly native 4K games like the Xbox One X can. That's because the Xbox One X has almost five times as much graphical and computing power compared to the One S. The result is games that not only look better but run better.

Xbox One X Enhanced Games

Of course, this only applies if you're looking to play video games. If you're buying an Xbox One purely for watching 4K movies and shows, the Xbox One X is overkill. But there are other reasons to consider it even if you're not much of a gamer.

Powerful video apps

Thanks to Microsoft using Windows as the backbone of the Xbox platform, developers have had a blissful time porting their apps over to the console. All the usual video apps such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, ESPN, Sling, YouTube, and a whole lot more are there.

You also have apps like Plex and Kodi if you want to take your home theater to the next level, as well as music apps like Pandora if you want to add tunes into the mix. You won't find a more well-rounded list of apps anywhere else.

It works seamlessly with your TV provider

If you still happen to watch regular old TV with cable subscription, you can integrate it perfectly with your Xbox One X. It does so thanks to an HDMI-in passthrough port, which allows your cable or digital TV signal to be fed through the Xbox. Onboard software lets you set up your local channel listings, and an infrared blaster means you can even power your TV on or off, adjust the volume, or change the channel with the same controller you use to play video games.

You like stacking set-top boxes

Not everyone has massive entertainment center where all their devices get optimal airflow. Sometimes, boxes have to be stacked, and in the case of the Xbox One S, that's not good. The entire right half of the Xbox One S has airflow holes to ensure proper ventilation.

With the Xbox One X, however, Microsoft improved airflow such that there are no ventilation holes on the top at all. That means you can stack whatever you want on top of it. That's not to say we'd recommend doing that if it's avoidable, but the option is there.

It's pretty future-proof

At the end of the day, the Xbox One X is the most powerful gaming console ever created. (At least until the next one comes along.) While Microsoft's long-term living room strategy hasn't yet been cemented, we do know that they treat the Xbox family as all-encompassing, meaning they want Xbox gamers to be able to play the same games and do the same things no matter which version of the console they have. They even want you to be able to play those games on PC with the Play Anywhere initiative.

This philosophy was reinforced with the launch of the Xbox One X, and while we don't know whether Microsoft will ever shift strategies down the line, it's safe to assume the Xbox One X will be the premier gaming console offering even once the newest gaming generation arrives.

Adding to this point is the promise of continued updates over its lifespan. Whereas some Blu-Ray players, TVs, and other cord cutting devices often get left in the dust shortly after they go on sale, the Xbox One X will continue to evolve with regular updates from Microsoft.

Long story short, if you want the best Xbox will have to offer in the future then the Xbox One X is what you'll need to have.

Bottom line

If you're just looking to get an Xbox One for movies and shows, any Xbox may be overkill. You want Xbox for its games and multimedia capabilities and the Xbox One X will take you much further than anything else in that regard.

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So, you're the proud new owner of an Xbox One, eh? That's fantastic! We're sure you've done your "new toys" jig and gotten your whiff of the new box smell already. Now it's time to get down to business.

If you're having trouble figuring out how to set your Xbox One up, we're here to help. Let's get going.

Hooking up the Xbox One hardware

We're going to start with hooking your hardware up because you won't be playing anything if you don't do this properly. Be sure to read through all of the following sections to ensure you've covered everything

Find a home for your Xbox One

Before we get to actually playing with the system, you'll first want to figure out where to put it. It's important that you place and position the Xbox One properly to ensure it's running as smoothly and safely as it can.

You can set it up either horizontally in its natural resting position, or vertically with the help of the included vertical stand. Whichever you prefer, just make sure it has enough headroom and proper ventilation. It can go into a cubby on your entertainment stand but make sure there's enough room on the sides, back, and top to ensure the heat doesn't blow itself back onto your Xbox. If that cubby has a door, you'll probably want to keep it open while you're using it.

Don't put anything on top of the Xbox as there are top-facing vents it needs to help push all that heat out. It's also probably not a good idea to set it on carpet.

Plug it in

The next step is to get the hardware all hooked up and connected to power. At the bare minimum, all you'll need to do is connect the power cable to the Xbox and plug it into a free power outlet in your home. It's important that you connect it to a wall outlet and not a surge protector because the Xbox One comes with one built in and you risk damaging your hardware if you do. Take it from someone whose original Xbox One died on him during one such surge - plug it into the wall .

Connect it to your TV

At this time, you'll also want to plug in your HDMI cable. Make sure to plug your HDMI cable into the HDMI OUT port on the back of your Xbox One and not HDMI IN. Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into an available HDMI port on your TV.

Note: If you're using a 4K TV with the Xbox One S or Xbox One X, you'll want to take extra care to plug the HDMI cable into the proper ports. Some TV sets only allow a 60Hz 4K signal on *one of its ports. And if you're planning on gaming or watching content on an HDR set, make sure you plug it into the port on your TV that supports HDR. Again, it's commonplace for TVs to support HDR on only one of its inputs. You should also use the HDMI cable that came with your Xbox One or ensure you're using an HDMI 2.0a cable, as these are the only ones which properly support 4K HDR.*

Connect the extras

If you want to watch cable or satellite TV through your Xbox, now is a good time to plug your set-top box's HDMI cable into the HDMI IN port on your Xbox.

Planning on connecting to Xbox Live using an ethernet cable? Connect that cable to the ethernet port on the back of the Xbox One and plug the other end into an available ethernet port on your modem or router. Skip this step if you're planning on using WiFi instead.

Those who want to use the Xbox One with a home stereo system can go ahead and plug their optical audio cable into the rear of the Xbox One at this time, with the other end going into an available port in your audio system.

Finally, if you have any external hard drives to plug into the console's USB 3.0 ports, now's the time to do that.

Turn it on

Put the included AA batteries into your controller at this time, because that's what you'll be using the rest of the way. Change your TV's input to the port where the Xbox One is connected, press the power button on the console and on your controller, and watch the glorious first boot up.

Setting up the Xbox One software

The hardware was, well, the hard part. With the Xbox One all juiced up and ready to go, the next step is to go through and set up the software. This process is very simple thanks to Microsoft's quick and easy setup wizard.

This'll involve creating your profile, setting the time and date on your console, connecting to your WiFi network (if applicable), and other important bits it needs to initialize. The first thing you'll need to do, though, is press the 'A' button on your controller.

Choose your language

First things first, tell the Xbox which language you speak. If it's English, highlight English, and so forth. Press 'A' once you've made your selection. Next, you may be asked to select your exact variety of the language you selected. Choose the one that best fits your dialect.

Connect to your network

It's time to decide how you're going to connect to Xbox Live. If you're using ethernet, simply choose "Use wired connection."

For wireless users, find the name of your wireless network in the list and select it. Enter your password if the network is protected. You can also add your wireless network manually if you've decided to hide your SSID (your network name). If you go this route, you'll need to know your exact SSID, security type, and password. You can move on to the next step once you're connected.

Select your location

Now you'll need to tell the Xbox which country you live in. It's imperative that you're accurate here because it ensures that you'll only see content on the Xbox store that is available in your region. By the way, The country you select doesn't affect the language you've chosen.

Update your Xbox One

It's time to update! That's a phrase you're going to get used to as time goes on. Anyway, you have to do your first update here. It's a requirement for using your console, so you'll either have to accept the update now or decide to turn your Xbox off.

Use your discretion here: if you would prefer to be on a different network when downloading the update for whatever reason, then simply turn the Xbox off. Don't fret about losing your progress, though, because the setup process will pick right back up where you left off.

The update process will begin, and you'll get to follow it the entire way from download to installation. It's also at this time that Microsoft will prompt you to start setting up your Xbox Live account on your iOS or Android device.

Set up your Xbox Live Gamertag

Microsoft will give you a link that takes you to the Xbox Live website. This step is optional as you can also go through the account setup process on the console once the update is finished.

If you decide to go through with the setup on iOS or Android, the link will take you to the Appstore on iOS or Google Play on Android to download the Xbox app. Install it. Once installed, you'll be asked to input the code shown on your screen and then be whisked through an account creation wizard. Here, you'll need to either set up a new Microsoft account or sign in with an existing one.

After you've made your account and signed in, it's time to make your Gamertag. Choose your 15-character name, customize your avatar and gamer picture, and set your preferred color. This color will show as highlights all throughout the system, so make sure you're happy with it. You'll get a final preview to see how your profile will appear to others on Xbox Live.

Once you're all done, the settings will be transferred to your Xbox One as long as your phone and the console are on the same network.

Everything above applies to those who decide to go through with it on the console after the update is done. Either sign in with your existing Microsoft account or create a new one and then go through the process of setting up your Gamertag.

Finish Up

We're almost there. There are just a few more settings and preferences to set before you can get to your Xbox dashboard. First, Set your time zone and whether you want your Xbox to recognize daylight savings time.

Next, select your power mode. 'Energy-saving' means your Xbox shuts down completely when you power it off, but this comes with the caveat that you won't be able to accept updates while it's off. 'Instant-on' is the standby mode, so updates can be downloaded automatically while your system is in a low-power state. It also lets the Xbox One turn on much faster. Select whichever you prefer.

Lastly, set your options for automatic updates. You can choose differently for your games and apps and for your console. If you choose to opt out of automatic updates for either one then your Xbox One will only attempt to update them when you tell it to.

Enjoy your Xbox One!

Phew, that was a lot to go through, but you're finally done. There's just one last thing you need to do: explore all that the Xbox One has to offer!

Shopping for an Xbox One? There are two models for you to consider: the Xbox One S, and the Xbox One X. Both are positioned at very different crowds for very different reasons.

Both these consoles can handle 4K HDR multimedia, they play the same games, stream the same video services, and they offer the same connectivity options, including an HDMI passthrough port and an IR blaster for cable, satellite, and digital TV integration.

So which Xbox One should you buy if you're a cord-cutter? Let's explore.

Which Xbox One will you buy?

As you can see, your choice of Xbox One is really down to your budget. The One X delivers an unprecedented gaming experience as it's the most powerful console ever made, but the Xbox One S still offers next-gen capabilities and visuals for a more affordable price tag. What's your pick?

Back in 2015, Microsoft promised that they'd be offering a way to record live TV on the Xbox One. For one reason or another, that feature never arrived . (Hint: It always comes down to lawyers.)

Will Microsoft ever launch DVR for Xbox?

It's looking pretty unlikely that we'll see some sort of native DVR support on the Xbox. Microsoft originally noted that it would indefinitely suspend plans to bring this feature as it shifted to a gaming-first strategy. That doesn't mean it will never happen, with Microsoft suggesting that overwhelming user feedback could possibly, maybe, eventually get them back on the ball . But you shouldn't be holding your breath if this is something you need in your life.

Don't let that stop you from doing exactly what you're here to do, though. There are a couple of viable options for recording live TV on your Xbox — erm, or sort of through your Xbox — as you would on your cable or satellite DVR box.

Recoding over-the-air with Tablo and Xbox

When it comes to recording OTA content, it doesn't really get any easier than Tablo . Plug in the box to your network, plug an external hard drive into the box (or buy the model that has 64GB built in), plug an antenna into the Tablo, and you're on your way.

You'll need the Tablo Xbox app , of course, and that's easily downloaded. And because this is one of those boxes that works across your network, you'll also be able to watch recorded TV across all over your other devices — not just your Xbox.

A basic two-tuner Tablo box runs $199.

• See at Amazon
• $100 at Best Buy

Recording TV over-the-air with HDHomeRun Connect

Looking for another (and less expensive) to record TV shows from standard over-the-air digital TV broadcasts? You'll need an HDHomeRun box . You'll need to decide which box is best for you, and how many tuners you'll need it to have. The basic two-tuner model runs about $100, but there are other options as well — and an extra $35 annual subscription for DVR service.

If you can stomach that investment, you're in for a treat. The HDHomeRun Connect allows you to pair your incoming digital TV signal with DVR functionality. It requires a separate hard drive — either the one in your PC or one connected directly to your network — to store everything. (And setup may be a bit of a thing.)

Once you've got DVR service set up, the HDHomeRun app for Xbox will make it easy to not only watch your shows, but also pause, rewind, record, and schedule future recordings. You can also hook the HDHomeRun Connect into Plex's DVR system, provided you have a Plex Pass subscription.

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Recording TV shows on Sling TV

Sling TV is a fantastic alternative route. While the primary service offers access to premium live TV for a nominal fee, you can get a Cloud DVR add-on that gets you 50 hours of recorded TV for just $5 extra per month.

With the Sling Xbox app, you'll be able to record and pause live TV, including individual airings and setting up full-season recording schedules.

There's one caveat: you can't use it on all of Sling's channels. ABC- and Disney-owned channels are unsupported, which unfortunately includes ABC, Freeform, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney JR, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN 3, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Bases Loaded and the SEC Network. You also can't use it for any on-demand-only channels.

Sign up for a free Sling trial

Your Xbox, your shows, your schedule

Hopefully by now you've figured out which route is right for you onward to Xbox DVR glory. Where Microsoft can't, you can take charge and record all the live TV you want.