The new Chromecast acts as a cheap but unsupported cloud streamer


If you’re ready to sideload the game streaming service, Google’s new Chromecast Micro can run Microsoft Ft’s Xcloud. Edge Can be sure. The functionality was previously demonstrated on Reddit by Yud / Kidj55, and since then we have been able to install the Xbox Game Pass app on our own hardware and access cloud streaming to play. Gears of War 5.

Like Google’s Stadia game streaming service, whatever works, such as Excel, is not yet authorized on Google’s new hardware. That means you have to sideload xCloud if you want to install it. The process involves finding an APK for the box online Xbox Game Pass app, finding a way to transfer it to your dongle (here is the guide) Android Police Do exactly that) and then change the Chromecast settings to allow the app to be installed from “unknown sources”.

The lack of official support also means that there is no guarantee about how Excel will perform on hardware. u / kiddj55 points out in a comment that games seem to run at 720p resolution, as the Xbox Games Pass app is built for phones and not for TVs. It does not support paired Xbox controllers over Bluetooth.

While it’s possible to stream games from the cloud, we weren’t able to stream games locally from an Xbox console. When we installed the Xbox Beta app (while providing the feature) we felt like it would break whenever we tried to open it.

It’s not clear when we’ll see xCloud support officially reach the new Chromecast. Google has confirmed that its own Stadia service will be officially endorsed in the first half of next year, and it is unlikely that Microsoft will lag far behind. That’s great news for anyone who wants a cheap It’s 50’s device to stream games to their TV, especially since the new Chromecast is a beautiful video streaming device in its own right.