What Xbox Game Pass includes and how much it costs

Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service that gives you access to a library of games you can read and play on Xbox consoles, PC, or through cloud gaming. You pay a monthly fee and can play as many games from the library as you want for as long as your subscription is active. When you cancel, you lose access to those games.

Microsoft offers three separate tiers, each with different prices and game selections. The base tier covers console play only. The mid-tier adds PC gaming. The highest tier adds cloud gaming, which lets you play games on phones and tablets without downloading them. Prices vary by region and change periodically, so check the Xbox website for your current location's rates.

The game library rotates — Microsoft adds new titles regularly and removes others. Games stay in the library for varying lengths of time. Some stay for years; others rotate out after a few months. You can see which games are leaving soon in your subscription settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Xbox Game Pass comes in three tiers: console-only, console plus PC, and console plus PC plus cloud gaming, each at a different monthly price.
  • You can read games to your device or stream them through cloud gaming on supported phones and tablets, depending on your tier.
  • The game library changes monthly — new games are added and others are removed, so the titles available to you shift throughout the year.
  • Your access to downloaded games ends when your subscription ends, even if you own the game license separately.
  • Xbox Game Pass for PC and console are separate subscriptions with different game libraries, though many titles appear on both.

The three subscription tiers and what each one covers

The entry-level tier covers Xbox console play only. You can read games to your Xbox Series X, Series S, or Xbox One and play them offline. This tier does not include PC games or cloud gaming.

The mid-tier adds PC gaming through the Xbox app on Windows. You get a separate library of games for PC, which overlaps with but is not identical to the console library. Some games appear on both; others are console-only or PC-only. You still cannot use cloud gaming at this tier.

The highest tier includes everything: console games, PC games, and cloud gaming. Cloud gaming lets you stream games to your phone, tablet, or web browser without downloading them. You need a stable internet connection (Microsoft recommends at least 10 Mbps for 1080p streaming) and a compatible controller or keyboard setup.

A fourth option, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, bundles Game Pass with Xbox Live Gold (the online multiplayer service) and includes cloud gaming. This is the most expensive tier but covers both services in one subscription.

How the game library works and what happens when games leave

Microsoft adds games to Game Pass on a rolling schedule, usually announcing new titles a few weeks in advance. The library typically grows by 10 to 20 games per month, though this varies. You can browse the full current library through the Xbox app or website.

Games also leave the service regularly. Microsoft notifies subscribers 30 days before a game is removed. If you want to keep playing a game after it leaves, you can purchase it at a discount (usually 10 to 20 percent off) during that 30-day window. After the game leaves, you can still buy it at full price, but you lose the subscriber discount.

If you have downloaded a game and it leaves Game Pass, the downloaded files remain on your device but become unplayable. You cannot launch the game unless you purchase it separately. Uninstalling and reinstalling will not restore access.

Console, PC, and cloud gaming: which devices work with each tier

Console Game Pass works on Xbox Series X, Series S, and Xbox One. It does not work on older Xbox 360 consoles or on PlayStation, Nintendo, or other platforms.

PC Game Pass requires Windows 10 or later and works through the Xbox app. It is separate from console Game Pass — you need a separate subscription to play PC games, or you can pay for a higher tier that includes both. Games in the PC library are not always the same as console games.

Cloud gaming is included only in the highest tier. It works on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, on Windows and Mac computers through a web browser, and on some Samsung Smart TVs. You need a compatible controller (Xbox controller, PlayStation controller, or certain third-party options) or a keyboard and mouse for some games. Internet speed matters — Microsoft recommends at least 10 Mbps for 1080p at 60 frames per second.

How to manage your subscription, pause it, or cancel

You manage your Game Pass subscription through your Microsoft account. You can view your current tier, see your renewal date, and update your payment method on the Xbox website or through the Xbox app on your device.

If you want to pause your subscription temporarily, you can do so for up to three months. During a pause, you are not charged, and your games remain tied to your account. When you resume, your library is unchanged. You cannot pause indefinitely — after three months, you must either resume or cancel.

To cancel, go to your account settings and select the option to end your subscription. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. You keep access to your games until that date. If you cancel mid-month, you do not receive a refund for the unused portion.

Game Pass for Xbox Live Gold members and family sharing

If you already have Xbox Live Gold (the online multiplayer subscription), you can upgrade to Game Pass Ultimate at a discounted rate. Microsoft converts your remaining Gold time to Ultimate time at a set ratio, so you do not lose the time you have already paid for.

Game Pass supports family sharing on Xbox consoles. If you set up a home console, other users on that console can play your Game Pass games even if they do not have their own subscription. This works only on the console itself, not through cloud gaming or PC.

On PC, only the account that holds the subscription can play the games. Game Pass does not support family sharing on Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I own the games I read through Game Pass?

No. You are renting access to the games for as long as your subscription is active. When you cancel or a game leaves the service, you lose the ability to play it. If you want to own a game permanently, you must purchase it separately.

Can I play Game Pass games offline?

Yes, but only for downloaded games on console or PC. You must connect to the internet at least once every 30 days to verify your subscription is active. Cloud gaming requires an internet connection at all times.

What happens if my internet goes down while I'm playing a cloud game?

Your connection will drop and you will be disconnected from the game. You will lose any unsaved progress. Most games auto-save, but some do not, so check the game's settings before relying on cloud gaming for long play sessions.

Can I use the same Game Pass subscription on multiple devices at the same time?

On console, yes — if you set up a home console, multiple users can play simultaneously. On PC and cloud gaming, only one person can play at a time per subscription. If you want multiple people playing at once on PC or cloud, each person needs their own subscription.

Is there a free trial for Game Pass?

Microsoft occasionally offers free trial periods for new subscribers, but these are not always available and terms change. Check the Xbox website to see if a trial is currently available in your region.