How to Play Xbox Games on the ROG Ally

ROG XBox Ally X

TL;DR: The ROG Xbox Ally runs Windows, so you play Xbox titles in three ways:

1. Install the PC versions (via Xbox app for Windows / Steam / Microsoft Store).

2. Stream with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Game Pass Ultimate) or Console Remote Play from your own Xbox.

3. Subscribe to PC Game Pass (downloads) or Game Pass Ultimate (downloads + cloud + console).Note: You can’t install console-only builds on the Ally—use the PC version or streaming.

iFix Pros have been fixing Xbox consoles since the early 2000s and tuning handheld gaming PCs since the first wave of Windows handhelds. Here’s the setup we recommend to our power users.

Why the Ally is great for “Xbox on the go”

The ASUS ROG Ally is a Windows 11 handheld (built-in XInput controls, 120 Hz 1080p) that runs the Xbox app, Steam, EA app, etc. That means you can download PC builds of Xbox titles (Forza Horizon, Halo Infinite, Starfield, Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves…) and play natively with no console required.

Option 1 — Install the PC versions (best quality, offline-capable)

What this does: You install the Windows (PC) build of your game on the Ally’s SSD, just like a laptop.

Steps

1. Install the Xbox app for Windows.

2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

3. If you own the game on PC (or it’s in PC Game Pass), click Install.

4. Launch from the Xbox app, Steam, or your preferred launcher.

5. Use Armoury Crate to select the Ally’s controller profile and performance mode (see tips below).

Good to know

• Xbox Play Anywhere titles you bought digitally on Xbox sometimes include the PC license—check your library in the Xbox app.

• Some console exclusives don’t have a PC version yet; for those, use streaming (below).

Home experience in the Xbox App on Windows

Option 2 — Stream with Xbox Cloud Gaming (fastest time-to-play)

What this does: You stream the game from Microsoft’s servers to your Ally. No installs; great for trying new titles.

What you need

• Game Pass Ultimate (includes Cloud Gaming).

• A 5 GHz/6 GHz Wi-Fi connection (or Ethernet via USB-C dock).

• Launch via the Xbox app (Cloud tab) or Edge browser at Xbox’s play site.

Pros/cons

• Pros: No storage hit, quick swapping between games, works even on low-TDP profiles to save battery.

• Cons: Dependent on network quality; image quality/latency lower than native.

Option 3 — Console Remote Play from your own Xbox

What this does: Your Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One does the rendering at home; the Ally acts as a remote screen/controller via the Xbox app. This plays your console library (digital purchases, Game Pass console titles; disc games require the disc in the console).

Best results

• Same network: Low latency if you’re at home on the same router (5 GHz).

• Away from home: Works over internet if your upstream bandwidth and NAT are friendly; wire your console to the router via Ethernet.

Remote Play with ROG Ally X

How to buy Xbox Game Pass on the Ally (PC Game Pass vs. Ultimate)

PC Game Pass = download PC versions to the Ally (best visuals, offline play).Game Pass Ultimate = PC Game Pass + Xbox console library + Cloud Gaming + EA Play.

Buy it on the Ally

1. Open the Xbox app → Game Pass tab.

2. Choose PC Game Pass (download focus) or Ultimate (download + cloud + console).

3. Complete checkout; games eligible for your plan will show Install or Play.

Pro setup tips from the iFix Pros

1) Performance/TDP profiles

• On battery: Start at 10–12 W; cap frame rate at 45–60 fps; set screen to 60 Hz to cut draw.

• On charger: 15–25 W is the Ally sweet spot; use 120 Hz only if you’re actually hitting >60 fps.

• Use AMD RSR/FSR or in-game scaling to run 900p or 720p internally and upscale to 1080p—big wins for battery.

2) Controller & UI

• Ensure the Ally is in Gamepad mode (XInput) in Armoury Crate; for older titles, map extra buttons or set desktop mode per game.

• In Steam, add the Xbox app and other launchers as Non-Steam Games to leverage Big Picture overlays.

3) Storage hygiene

• Keep at least 20–30 GB free for shader caches and updates. Consider a 1–2 TB NVMe upgrade if you want a large PC Game Pass library offline.

4) Network for streaming

• Use 5 GHz/6 GHz Wi-Fi, router within the same room if possible.

• For desk play, a USB-C → Ethernet dongle gives cloud/remote play the “wired” feel.

Known gotchas (and how to avoid them)

• “Why won’t my Xbox disc game install on the Ally?”Because the Ally needs the Windows/PC build. Use the Xbox app to install PC versions, or stream from your console.

• “My cloud stream looks muddy.”Check Wi-Fi band (must be 5 GHz+), lower in-app stream resolution, or switch to PC downloads for best fidelity.

• “Controller not detected in a legacy title.”Confirm XInput mode, add the game to Steam and apply a community controller template, or use a per-game mapping layer in Armoury Crate.

• “Battery drops fast at high settings.”Cap FPS to 45–60, drop render scale to 900p, and use a 12–15 W TDP profile. The visual hit is small; battery gains are big.

FAQ

• Can the ROG Ally run Xbox console discs? No. Install the PC build or stream via Remote Play/Cloud.

• Do I need Game Pass Ultimate for cloud streaming? Yes—Cloud Gaming is included in Ultimate; downloads on PC work with PC Game Pass or Ultimate.Is

• Remote Play different from Cloud Gaming? Yes. Remote Play streams your console; Cloud Gaming streams from Microsoft’s servers.

• Will my Xbox saves carry over? Many first-party titles sync via the Xbox network across PC and console. Check the game’s cross-save support.

Where to put images and links (to make the post pop)

• Hero image: ROG Ally running the Xbox app (alt: “Play Xbox games on ROG Ally”).

• Inline shots: Xbox app install screen; Cloud Gaming session; Armoury Crate TDP profile; Remote Play connect screen.

• Link ideas:

  • “Download Xbox app for Windows” (Microsoft)

  • “Buy Game Pass Ultimate / PC Game Pass” (Microsoft)

  • “Set up Xbox Remote Play” (Xbox Support)

  • “ROG Ally driver and BIOS updates” (ASUS Support)

  • “iFix Console Repair & HDMI Port Service” (your service page)

Need help dialing it in?

Bring your Ally (or Xbox) to iFix Bedford or iFix The Colony. We’ll:

• Install the Xbox app, tune TDP/FPS profiles, and map controls.

• Diagnose Wi-Fi/streaming issues and set up Remote Play or Cloud.

• Fix hardware problems (HDMI ports, storage upgrades, cooling refresh).

Bottom line: On the ROG Ally, “Xbox on handheld” is easy—install PC builds for max quality, or stream when you’re short on space or time. With the right power and network settings, it’s a killer travel rig for the Xbox ecosystem.