In June 2019, Microsoft renamed the Windows 10 Xbox app, originally released in 2014, to Xbox Console Companion, and changed the app’s logo to look like the Xbox One console instead of the regular Xbox logo. Around the same time, the company launched the new Xbox app for Windows 10. The app, which now also supports Windows 11, will soon be the only official Microsoft Windows app for Xbox consoles.
As reported by Game Rant, in a recently updated post on the Xbox support site, Microsoft made this important announcement: “We announced that the Xbox Console Companion app for Windows operating systems will be discontinued on August 28, 2023. If this change has affected you and you’re looking for ways to continue interacting with Xbox games, services, and communities on your Windows device, the Xbox app for Windows keeps you connected to everything Xbox and gaming on your Windows device.”
With the retirement of the Xbox Console Companion app, Windows 10 and 11 users are directed to use the Xbox app. This app allows PC owners to download and play PC games, play Xbox console games remotely to their PC on their local network, access Xbox Cloud Gaming if they have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, and more.
A recent update in May also added features like the ability to view your Xbox friends list and chat window while continuing to play on your PC.
There’s also a built-in Xbox Game Bar for Windows. This bar allows PC gamers to take screenshots or video clips while playing games, get information about their PC’s overall performance, and more.
In short, it will soon be the only official Xbox app for the Windows platform and gamers will meet all their needs with the help of this app. Xbox Console Companion will no longer be in our lives.