In a bid to give players more flexibility with their game libraries, and as part of its “broader commitment to game preservation”, Xbox has unveiled a feature that brings the “benefits of digital to physical discs”.
But how does this new feature actually work? Are there any restrictions to keep in mind?
We explain all we know about Xbox’s new feature and how you can make the most of it yourself.
Once you’re done here, make sure you visit our best games consoles, best gaming monitor and best gaming TVs round-ups too.
What is Xbox’s new feature?
Xbox explains that when a user inserts a supported disc into their Xbox One or Xbox Series X and launches the game, they will be able to claim a “digital entitlement” which allows them to play their physical title like a digital one. That means users can access their game from Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming, while the physical disc will continue to work just as before.
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Upon launch, Xbox says that thousands of Xbox One and Xbox Series X disc-based titles will be supported, though not every game will be available at launch. However, more will be added over time.
This is a pretty welcome update for Xbox users, especially as it comes just over a month after Sony revealed it’ll stop physical disc production from January 2028 – and is yet to reveal what will happen to existing discs. Sony’s decision also led many wondering whether or not they really own a digital game without a physical disc, and what would happen if the title is delisted from the store.
With this in mind, the decision behind digitalising physical Xbox games is understandable, as it means your game library is protected in the event that Microsoft follows in Sony’s footsteps.
How can I make my physical games digital?
At the time of writing, the feature will be available for Xbox Insiders’ testing from August 31st 2026. To join Xbox Insiders, you’ll need to sign up by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub on your Xbox console or Windows PC.
Otherwise, Xbox is yet to confirm when a broader rollout will begin and has just said the feature is “coming soon”.
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How do digital Xbox games work?
Much like physical titles, digital Xbox games are downloaded onto your console, however they can then be accessed simply by logging into your Microsoft account. That means you can play the digital games that you own from wherever you’re signed in, even if you don’t have a disc.
Digital games also allow for easier moving between one title and another, without needing to physically swap out discs.
Otherwise, regardless of whether you opt for a digital or a physical game, you’ll benefit from the same graphics, quality, speed and performance.