xCloud Beta Will Be Available on iOS and PC in Spring 2021

After having to restructure how xCloud would be delivered to iOS devices, the streaming service will come to iOS and PC this Spring.

Microsoft’s game streaming service, xCloud, has had some trouble launching on iOS devices due to Apple’s strict app store guidelines. Microsoft announced before that it will be bringing the service to iOS devices through a mobile web app workaround. The tech company has now confirmed that that version, as well as a PC version, will be available in Spring of 2021.

In a blog post, Microsoft confirmed the release window as well as stating that the PC version of xCloud will be available through the Xbox app on Windows 10.

Jarrett West, The Xbox Marketing Chief for Microsoft, stated in the blog post: “In Spring 2021, we will take the next step in our journey to reach more players around the world by making cloud gaming as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate available on Windows PCs through the Xbox app and browser, and iOS devices through mobile web browser. By adding over a billion devices as a path to playing in the Xbox ecosystem, we envision a seamless experience for all types of players; whether it’s playing Minecraft Dungeons with your Xbox friends using touch controls on an iPhone, or jumping into a Destiny 2: Beyond Light strike on a Surface Pro when you have a break between meetings.”

On top of the new release window for PC and iOS platforms, the blog post also confirmed that xCloud will be coming to more markets next year, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, and Mexico.

xCloud is part of Microsoft’s $15 a month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. If you are a subscriber, then you are able to play Game Pass titles on your Android device right now. Sadly, us iOS user have had to wait due to Apple’s strict App store policies,

Apple did restructure some guidelines that could possibly be characterized as a compromise depending on how you look at it. However, it didn’t push the needle very much. I am happy to see that we will finally be able to experience xCloud on the go on iOS devices in the near future.