Xbox Windows app becomes more compatible with handheld devices

Microsoft added a compact mode to the Xbox Windows app last year that’s more suitable for handheld devices. This mod focused on UI improvements on small screens. Now, Microsoft is solving the navigation difficulties with D-pad and joysticks.

A new update for Xbox Insiders on Wednesday added the “Jump back in” feature, which allows you to quickly jump back to the last games you played on your Windows handheld devices. “Jump back in” lists up to nine games on the Xbox app’s home screen, and you can press the menu button on the controller to launch a game directly.

This feature is smart enough to recognize if you already have a game running. If available, it directs you to that game’s instance, and by default it switches to the game center, where you can see which friends are playing, your achievements, and more.

The friends panel in the Xbox Windows app is improving

Microsoft is also making improvements to a friends panel that’s more easily accessible via handset or controller. There is now quick access to large buttons that open a friends list from the sidebar. This list contains large buttons to tap to join party chats.

While these additions are nice to see, it can still be difficult to navigate with the Xbox app on a ROG Ally. Accessing the sidebar can become difficult after navigating down the page, and unless you highlight a specific element or are at the top of the page, you may not be able to access the sidebar by navigating to the left.

Microsoft has a long way to go to improve the overall handheld experience on Windows, but if you’re a PC Game Pass subscriber and own a Windows handset, you’re getting some early improvements before the Windows team focuses on controller navigation in the OS.

These updates aim to make users’ gaming experiences on their handheld devices more comfortable and efficient. These new features of the Xbox application also offer significant improvements in terms of in-game dynamics and social interactions. The app stands out as an indicator of how Microsoft is constantly improving the user experience.