Game sharing is one of the best features the gaming world has seen in the last decade. Xbox One was one of the first consoles to take full advantage of this feature, and a simple process allows you to give someone you trust access to your library of downloadable games. This feature would carry over to the next generation Series X and S consoles too.
Plus, you can access games on your trusted friend’s Xbox account. Xbox One, Xbox One S and Xbox One X make it easy to share games, but the process comes with a few limitations that you should be aware of beforehand.
In order to share Xbox games, you and your friend will need your own systems and Xbox One accounts. But once it’s all together, sharing games is incredibly easy. Here are a few steps you need to take to make the feature work properly.
How to share games
Before you begin, both you and your GameStop partner will need access to your systems and be willing to exchange account information – including the email associated with your Xbox accounts and corresponding passwords.
Here, the steps below will explain what you and your partner should do on your Xbox One. To switch libraries, you’ll need to repeat the process twice – once to connect your Xbox One to their account, and once to connect their Xbox One to your account.
- Step 1: Once you’re ready, select the icon at the top left of the home screen, then go to the user account menu (again on the left). Choose Add a new one then add both accounts to your Xbox One console.
- Step 2: From there, you need to make your games share partner’s Xbox One your “home Xbox.” Go to Settings > Customize > My Home Xbox > Set as Home Xbox.
- Step 3: In this menu, register the system as the default device. As the description reads: “When it’s your home Xbox, people can play games without you signing in.” Convenient, and of course exactly what we want to do.
- Step 4: Finally, all you have to do is go to your game library by selecting My Games & Apps > View All > Full Library > All Owned Games. You should see a list of all of the games that are available for your account. This will now include both your own games and those of your games share partner. Sharing also allows you to split your Xbox Live Gold account.
- Step 5: To swap libraries, repeat the above steps on your partner’s device, making their console your “home Xbox.”
Things you should know before sharing games
The process carries several risks. Your friend will be able to make purchases through your Xbox Store account, so be careful what information you store on your account. We strongly recommend that you only set up game sharing with a trusted friend or family member. This way you won’t have to worry about them buying without your permission.
If you lose your Internet connection, you won’t be able to access your digital game library unless you designate your Xbox One as your home Xbox. Other users of your console also won’t be able to access your games or Xbox Live Gold subscription unless it’s your home Xbox.
Whenever you switch to a new Xbox One or upgrade to Xbox Series X, you will have to repeat the whole process again. Also, keep in mind that you can only change your home Xbox five times a year before Microsoft cuts you off with more changes. This will prevent you from frequently switching accounts with friends and sharing their games. To make sure you don’t lose access to your account when you change your home Xbox, choose one friend to switch regularly before you change your settings.
How to share games on Xbox Series X
If you’re looking to share games on one of Microsoft’s new systems — the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S — the process is very similar to how it works on the Xbox One. We have written in detail game sharing in the Xbox Series X guide, which walks you through each step of the process, as there are a few key differences. We love the game-sharing feature available on newer consoles as it allows users to share games without spending a lot of extra money.