The Xbox app on Windows is getting even more handheld-friendly

Microsoft introduced a compact mode for its Xbox app connected Windows past year, which is designed to amended nan handheld experience. While compact mode initially focused connected UI improvements for mini screens, Microsoft is moving connected to tackling immoderate of nan challenges of navigating astir nan Xbox app pinch a D-pad and sticks.

In a new update for Xbox Insiders today, Microsoft is adding a caller “Jump backmost in” characteristic that lets you quickly motorboat games you’ve precocious played connected a Windows handheld. Jump backmost successful will database up to 9 games connected nan main surface of nan Xbox app, and you tin property nan paper fastener connected a controller to motorboat nan crippled directly.

It’s intelligent capable to cognize if you already person a crippled running, truthful it’ll simply move to that instance, and by default, it will navigate to nan crippled hub for a crippled truthful you tin spot which friends are playing, your achievements, and more.

Microsoft is besides improving nan friends sheet to make it easier to entree pinch a handheld aliases controller. There’s now speedy entree from nan sidebar to a slide-out friends database that has large buttons to pat to subordinate statement chats.

While it’s bully to spot this addition, I still find it difficult to navigate astir nan Xbox app connected a ROG Ally without rubbing nan screen. Accessing nan sidebar tin often beryllium difficult if you’ve navigated down a page, and nan Xbox app seems to get stuck successful definite sections and forestall you from accessing nan sidebar by navigating near unless you’re astatine nan apical of nan page aliases you’ve highlighted a peculiar element.

Microsoft still has a agelong measurement to spell to amended nan wide handheld acquisition successful Windows, but if you’re a PC Game Pass subscriber who owns a Windows handheld, past you’re getting immoderate early improvements up of nan Windows squad really focusing successful connected controller navigation passim nan OS.