- Play Xbox 1 On Laptop
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- How To Play Your Xbox On Pc
Whether you’re trying to no-scope that enemy on COD or score a last-minute slam-dunk on NBA, the touchpad just doesn’t do it.
To play Xbox console games from the cloud on your device you’ll need the following: i. An active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership in a supported region ii. A supported device including Windows 10 PCs, Apple or Android phones and tablets iii. Connect the Xbox 360 Controller to your Mac. Now you’ve installed the driver, the next step is to connect the controller, which is simple and only needs to be done once. Firstly, you need to plug the USB receiver into a free USB port on your Mac. Once plugged in, the USB receiver’s light should start blinking.
So, we thought we’d share the best tips on how to connect an Xbox 360 controller to your Mac, to make them tense gaming moments a little easier.
Before you do: Clean up your Mac
BUT, before we get into all the juicy techy stuff, let’s remind you of how beneficial cleaning up your Mac can be.
Before installing any new hardware, it’s important to have an un-cluttered file space so the new software can run efficiently, and you can keep an eye on what’s where.
With CleanMyMac X, it’s easy. It’s one-click cleaning approach and powerful scanning means you can swiftly dispose of useless documents and apps which may be slowing your Mac down.
So, to get optimal controller connectivity, you should download CleanMyMac and tidy up your digital space – prior to any installations. Now, onto how to use an Xbox 360 controller on a Mac.
How to use the Xbox 360 controller on Mac
Not many of us know it, but there could be a handy use for all those old Xbox 360 or Xbox One controllers lying around. But, before you get set up, you need to have the correct hardware installed on your Mac to enable connectivity.
Here’s how.
First of all, you will need either a wired or wireless Xbox controller. Both work fine, but for all those passionate gamers with a tendency to erupt, a wireless device would be best to save any damages to wires (or opponents). These wireless receivers can be bought for around $20 on Amazon, and can handle up to 4 Xbox 360 controllers.
Free Drivers
Obviously, Macs don’t have an in-built driver for Xbox controllers as Apple are in no way affiliated with Microsoft. Similarly, Microsoft doesn’t supply drivers for Mac users for their hardware, which leaves us wanting users having to find our own way.
So back in 2006, it was music to gamer’s ears to hear that Tattie Bogle had developed their own driver free of charge to users across the gaming globe. However, this driver hasn’t been updated since 2012, and is therefore sticky when it comes to compatibility with MacOS X.
For a more streamlined approach to this conundrum, download GitHub’s free driver – it’s maintained and updated frequently and is free to all Mac users.
1. Install the driver
After opening the GitHub link, double click on the DMG file visible under ‘Assets’. This will start the installing process, where you will have to follow the appropriate instructions.
Remember though, as with any new program installation, it will reboot your Mac, so don’t panic. After the restart, you should be able to find ‘Xbox 360 Controllers’ in the system preferences.
2. Connect the Xbox 360 Controller to your Mac
Now you’ve installed the driver, the next step is to connect the controller, which is simple and only needs to be done once.
Firstly, you need to plug the USB receiver into a free USB port on your Mac. Once plugged in, the USB receiver’s light should start blinking
Press the big Xbox logo button on the controller so it lights up green
Press the button on the USB receiver
Press the connect button on the controller, which can be found at the top - in-between the left and right toggles
The top left quarter of the circle around the Xbox button should now light up, indicating you are the first controller connected
Now the controller and Mac are linked - so in the future if you want to connect again, all you need do is press the big Xbox logo button to get going. Told you it was simple!
3. Test the Controller
As with all things techy, there’s always loopholes. So, it’s important to test the connections to ensure the controller works before we embark upon a mobile-gaming-gallivant.
Go to ‘System Preferences’, ‘Xbox 360 Controllers’ and you’ll see a screen like below.
This is a control pad, which indicates whether all the buttons on the controller are working properly. That’s about all you can do on this, as well as shutting the controller down by clicking ‘power off’.
4. Configuring for multiple games on your Mac
We all have different tastes in games - some of us like sports and some of us like military, there’s no right or wrong (asides from Half-Life, that’s just awesome and it’s not up for debate).
With these different games come different control configurations, which can get tedious when you only have one type of controller.
For full flexibility of use, there are many tools and apps available which allow you to play any game with any Mac compatible joystick or controller – even the ones that are not compatible with joysticks.
5. Use Joystick Mapper
Out of the many apps to choose from, Joystick Mapper is our pick. And at only $4.99 from the App Store, it’s real value for money – especially when considering the amount of effort it takes to develop such a complex tool.
Here’s how it works –
Once you download the Joystick Mapper app, you need to create a pre-set for your game preferences. To do this, open the app and click ‘Add new pre-set’.
Enter a name for future reference such as ‘My Game’, and for each joystick, click ‘Add a new joystick’.
Now that you’ve identified the joystick, you need to ‘bind’ joystick inputs to keyboard or mouse movements - which is easier than it sounds.
Click on ‘Add new bind’, and then ‘Scan’, and press the button of your game controller that you’d like to use. Next select a mouse or keyboard action, and that will ‘bind’ the chosen inputs.
Simply repeat this process until you’ve bound all the buttons you’d like to use.
If by chance you’re using a controller other than an Xbox 360 or Xbox One, you can replicate these actions and apply them to different controllers. To do this, simply click the ‘Clone’ icon in the top right corner. To put the pre-set into action, set a checkmark before the preferred pre-set/profile you’ve created for the game you’re about to play. Now, you’re good to go!
BUT – don’t close the Joystick Mapper app before starting the game, it needs to keep running to work. Simply select ‘cmd + H’ to hide the window.
Declutter your Mac to make more room for games
Remember, all of these processes won’t work as effectively if you have a messy Mac.
On average, there is a whopping 62GB of junk found on Macs, with jam-packed caches and folders full of useless documents cluttering the hard drive.
This considerably slows down the performance of your Mac, preventing quick and easy installations, and can even hinder the controller connectivity.
CleanMyMac X is an app dedicated to cleaning your Mac head-to-toe. It scans everything on the computer - even old folders that have been evading your wrath for years - identifying what needs to be removed.
The Mac is inspected rigorously, and with its smart one-click clean-up, CleanMyMac sweeps away the unwanted rubbish to organize folders and speed up performance.
Furthermore, CleanMyMac X is free to download. So, what are you waiting for? Download it for free here.
- You can play Xbox One games on your PC through two different methods.
- Xbox Play Anywhere lets you download and play certain Xbox games on your PC.
- You can also stream games from your Xbox to your Windows 10 computer, but you'll need a constant internet connection.
- Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.
If you ever wanted to play your Xbox One games on your PC, you're in luck. Many Xbox One games can be played easily on a Windows 10 computer. This is great for homes that share one Xbox console, since you won't have to compete to use the singular console.
There are two ways to play Xbox One games on your computer. The first method is through a service called Xbox Play Anywhere. The second option requires you to stream the game through Windows 10, which will require a constant internet connection. Here's a step-by-step guide for each method.
How to play Xbox One games on PC using Xbox Play Anywhere
If you already own a game that is included on the Xbox Play Anywhere list, you can play it on your PC for no additional charge, and you can sync your game data between your PC and Xbox One.
1. Go to the Xbox Play Anywhere website and log into your Microsoft account.
2. Head to this page and scroll through the list of games, and then click on the one you want to play. Keep in mind that if you don't already own the game, you'll need to purchase it.
© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider Games you don't already own will have a price listed beside them. Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider3. Click 'Get' or 'Install.' If a pop-up appears requesting that you use the Microsoft Store app, click on the option that allows you to do so.
4. Once the game finishes installing, click 'Play' to launch the game. Have fun!
© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider You might need to install and play the game through the Microsoft Store. Chrissy Montelli/Business InsiderHow to play Xbox One games on PC via streaming to Windows 10
If the game you want to play remotely isn't included on the Xbox Play Anywhere list, your only other option is to play it via streaming.
To do this, your PC and Xbox One will need to be on the same internet connection. You'll also need to make sure that both systems stay connected to the internet - if you lose your connection, you'll lose the stream.
You should also make sure that both devices are fully updated. If there are any updates pending, install them.
1. On your Xbox One's Home screen, press the Xbox button on the controller.
2. Navigate to the Profile & System tab, and select the 'Settings' option.
© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider Select 'Settings' and press 'A.' Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider3. In to the 'Devices & connections' tab, select 'Remote features.'
Play Xbox 1 On Laptop
© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider Select 'Remote features' in the 'Devices & connections' menu. Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider4. Select 'Xbox app preferences.'
© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider The Xbox app is what you'll use on your PC to stream games. Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider
5. On the left-side menu, select either 'Allow connections from any device' or 'Only from profiles signed in on this Xbox.' On the right-side menu, select 'Allow game streaming to other devices.'
How To Play Xbox On Mac Laptop With Hdmi Cable
© Jeremy Dreyfuss, Justin Gmoser/Business Insider Make sure that you set up both the Xbox app and your own Xbox. Jeremy Dreyfuss, Justin Gmoser/Business Insider6. Using either Bluetooth or a USB connection, connect your Xbox One controller to your PC.
7. On your PC, click the Start button and type 'Xbox Console Companion' into the search bar. Once it appears, click 'Open.'
© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider The Xbox Console Companion app is automatically included with Windows 10. Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider8. On your PC, open the Xbox Console Companion app. On the left sidebar, click on the icon that appears to resemble an Xbox console. When you hover your cursor over it, it will say 'Connection.'
Play Xbox On Macbook Pro
© Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider Click on the 'Connection' button on the left sidebar. Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider9. Click on the Xbox console you wish to connect to.
© Jeremy Dreyfuss, Justin Gmoser/Business Insider If you have multiple consoles on the same network, you'll be able to connect to any that you've set up. Jeremy Dreyfuss, Justin Gmoser/Business InsiderHow To Play Your Xbox On Pc
10. Click 'Stream' to begin playing.
© Jeremy Dreyfuss, Justin Gmoser/Business Insider 'Stream' will be near the top-right corner. Jeremy Dreyfuss, Justin Gmoser/Business InsiderOriginal Xbox One (small)IdeaPad 130 (small)How to get free games on your Xbox One through Xbox Live and Game PassHow to clear the cache on your Xbox One to make your system run fasterHow to turn off auto renewal on your Xbox One, to cancel subscriptions after your current pay periodHow to appear offline on an Xbox One, and adjust who can see your online status