What Xbox Game Pass is and who can use it
Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service run by Microsoft that gives you access to a library of video games on Xbox consoles, PC, and mobile devices. You pay a monthly fee and can read and play games from the library as long as your subscription is active. When you cancel, you lose access to those games unless you buy them separately.
Anyone with a Microsoft account can subscribe. You do not need to own an Xbox console — Game Pass for PC works on Windows computers, and Xbox Cloud Gaming (part of Game Pass Ultimate) lets you play games on phones and tablets without downloading them. If you do own an Xbox, you can use the same subscription across multiple devices tied to your account.
Game Pass is not a free trial that converts to paid membership. It is a paid subscription from the start, though Microsoft occasionally runs promotional offers for new subscribers at a reduced rate for the first month or two.
Key Takeaways
- Xbox Game Pass comes in three tiers: Console, PC, and Ultimate, each with different monthly costs and game libraries.
- Console and PC versions give you access to read games; Ultimate adds cloud gaming so you can play on phones and tablets without downloading.
- New games are added to the library regularly, and some games leave the library on a schedule Microsoft publishes in advance.
- Your subscription renews automatically each month unless you turn off auto-renewal in your account settings.
- Game Pass does not include online multiplayer for free on Console; you need Xbox Live Gold for that, though Ultimate includes it.
The three subscription tiers and their costs
Microsoft offers three versions of Game Pass, each priced differently and covering different devices:
| Tier | Monthly Cost | What You Get | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Console | $11.99 | Access to Game Pass library on Xbox consoles | Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One |
| PC | $9.99 | Access to Game Pass library on Windows PC | Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers |
| Ultimate | $16.99 | Console + PC + cloud gaming + Xbox Live Gold | Xbox consoles, PC, phones, tablets |
Prices listed are current as of this writing but may change. Microsoft has raised prices in the past and may do so again. You can check the current price on the Xbox website before you subscribe.
If you already pay for Xbox Live Gold (the online multiplayer service), upgrading to Ultimate converts your remaining Gold time to Ultimate at a set rate — typically one month of Gold equals a smaller portion of one month of Ultimate. The exact conversion depends on how much Gold time you have left.
What games are included and how the library changes
Game Pass includes hundreds of games, from major new releases to older titles. Microsoft adds new games to the library throughout each month and removes others on a published schedule. You can see which games are leaving the library in advance on the Xbox website, usually with at least two weeks' notice.
Not every game ever made is on Game Pass. Some publishers choose not to include their games, and some games leave the library after a set period. If you want to keep playing a game after it leaves, you can buy it at a discount (Game Pass subscribers usually get a 10 to 20 percent discount on purchases).
Day-one releases — games published by Microsoft's own studios — are included in Game Pass on the day they launch. Games from other publishers typically arrive months or years after release, though some major titles appear sooner through special agreements.
How billing and cancellation work
When you start a Game Pass subscription, Microsoft charges your payment method on the date you sign up, then again on the same date each month. If your payment method fails, Microsoft will retry it a few times before suspending your subscription.
Your subscription renews automatically unless you turn off auto-renewal. To cancel, you go to your Microsoft account settings, find the Game Pass subscription, and select "Turn off recurring billing." You keep access to games until your current billing period ends; after that date, you lose access unless you resubscribe.
If you cancel and then want to resubscribe later, you start a new subscription at the current price. Promotional rates for new subscribers may or may not explore depending on how long ago you cancelled and what offers Microsoft is currently running.
Game Pass on different devices and what you can do on each
Console Game Pass works only on Xbox consoles you own or have access to. You can read games to the console's storage and play them offline. If someone else in your household uses the same console, they can play your Game Pass games if they are signed into their own account, as long as you have set that console as your "home Xbox."
PC Game Pass requires Windows 10 or Windows 11 and works through the Xbox app. Games read to your computer and play locally. Some games on PC Game Pass are different from the console versions — a few games appear on one tier but not the other.
Ultimate adds Xbox Cloud Gaming, which streams games to your phone, tablet, or web browser without downloading them. You need a stable internet connection (Microsoft recommends at least 10 megabits per second for 1080p resolution). Cloud gaming works on iOS, Android, and through a web browser on any device. Not every game in the library is available through cloud gaming; Microsoft maintains a list of which titles support it.
What Game Pass does not include
Game Pass does not include online multiplayer on Console without Xbox Live Gold. If you have Console Game Pass and want to play online with others, you need to buy Xbox Live Gold separately. Ultimate includes Gold, so you do not face this limitation with that tier.
Game Pass does not include games you buy separately or games you own through other services. It also does not include DLC (downloadable content) or in-game currency, though some games offer bonus content or currency to Game Pass subscribers.
Game Pass does not work offline indefinitely. Console and PC versions check your subscription status periodically, and cloud gaming requires an active internet connection at all times.
Comparing Game Pass to buying games outright
A single new game typically costs $60 to $70 at launch. Game Pass at $11.99 per month for Console breaks even after roughly six months if you play three or four games per month. If you play fewer games or prefer to own them permanently, buying outright may cost less over time. If you play many games or like trying new releases, the subscription usually costs less.
Game Pass gives you access to a large library but no ownership — games can leave the service, and your access ends if you cancel. Buying a game means you own it permanently (though you own a license, not the physical media in most cases) and can play it as long as you want, even if the publisher removes it from stores.
Some people use both: they subscribe to Game Pass to try games and explore the library, then buy games they love to keep permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Game Pass subscription with family members?
On Console, yes — if you set your console as your "home Xbox," anyone with an account on that console can play your Game Pass games. On PC, only the account that owns the subscription can play. Ultimate includes cloud gaming, which works on any device you log into, so family members can use it on their own phones or tablets if they have access to your account.
What happens to my games if I cancel Game Pass?
Games you downloaded stay on your device, but you cannot play them. If you resubscribe later, you can play them again. Games you bought separately are not affected — you keep those regardless of your Game Pass status.
Do I need internet to play Game Pass games?
Console and PC versions can play offline after you read a game, though your subscription status is checked periodically. Cloud gaming requires an active internet connection at all times. If your internet goes down, you cannot play through the cloud.
Can I use Game Pass on multiple consoles at the same time?
You can read games to multiple consoles, but you can only play on one at a time with a single subscription. If you want to play simultaneously on two consoles, each needs its own subscription.
How often do new games get added to Game Pass?
Microsoft adds new games throughout each month, typically several per week. The exact schedule varies. You can see upcoming additions on the Xbox website or in the Game Pass app.