Congratulations, you have a next generation console. It’s hard to believe that over a year after the Xbox Series X / S launched, it’s still so damn hard to find one. But you made it. Or someone who really loves you gave it to you for the holidays. How kind of you! Either way, now that you’ve got a new Xbox, you might be wondering what to do with it, or you might just want some useful tips on how to set it up and running so you can like playing great games. can begin Halo infinite as soon as possible. Kotakuis here to help!
Make sure you have a free Xbox account
While you can create an account on the console, using your phone or PC is faster and easier, and gives you a handy way to save your password so you can log in more efficiently in the future. Create your free Xbox account allows you to access the Xbox Store and save your purchases so that you can play all of your games on other devices by simply signing in with your Xbox account.
Download the Xbox app on your phone
Once you have an Xbox account, Download the free Xbox app. This makes setting up the console a lot easier. While you can set up an Xbox Series X / S console without a phone, using the app streamlines the whole process of signing in and setting up things like language, location, and internet settings. Also, after everything is set up, the app can be used to send messages to friends, send invitations, chat at parties, etc.
Check that your controller is up to date
I know weird things controllers can be updated but it takes time to check through the settings menu. From there you go to “Devices & Connections”where you can update any accessories associated with your console. Controllers can be updated wirelessly or via USB.
Set up automatic login via your controller
If you trust everyone in your home or live alone, this option is great and is a time saver! Go to the Account Settings section of your new Xbox and look for “Sign in, security and passkey”. From there you can Link your currently active controller to your Xbox account. Now, when you use this controller, your Xbox will automatically sign in to your account. Remember that only one account can be paired with a controller and once you enable that, anyone can access your account simply by using that controller to turn on the console.
Calibrate your TV and Xbox
Your new Xbox is powerful and can produce great pictures, but the graphics will look even better if you make sure both the TV and Xbox are properly calibrated. Thank God, the Xbox Series X / S has super easy-to-use tools to optimize and perfect your picture, see the video options of the general settings menu.
One of the tools here will tell you if your TV supports high dynamic range (HDR) colors, faster refresh rates like 120 Hz, or variable refresh rate (VRR) technology. If your TV supports some of these features, this menu will allow you to quickly toggle between them and a few others. Take a moment to set everything right. If you have a fancy TV that supports all the bells and whistles it would be a shame not to use them. Once you’ve experienced 120Hz game with HDR, you won’t want to go back.
Get the Game Pass Ultimate
Although you can enjoy an Xbox without Microsoft’s Game Pass service, we highly recommend that you give it a try. Game Pass is by far the best deal for gaming right now, giving you a huge list of great games to try out, many of which can be downloaded and installed in minutes. In particular, all games published by Microsoft, such as Halo infinite and Forza Horizon 5, come for free with a Game Pass subscription. the Game Pass Ultimate
Oh, download the Game Pass app too
I know two apps for Xbox seem strange, but if you’re interested in playing a lot of games through Game Pass, Get the app. It’s easier to browse the Game Pass library from your phone, and you can download and install games through the app, which comes in handy when you’re at work or school and learning about some great new games that was just added to the service. Download it through the app and it will be waiting for you when you get home.
Download some really good games
Time to dive in. A good start is Check out our list of the best Game Pass games to see the most fun the service has to offer. Some top recommendations include Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Control, Hollow Knight, and The outer worlds. But there are so many more. And if you’d rather be afraid, we have thoughts on that great Game Pass horror games also.
Customize your dashboard and organize all of these games
As you start downloading more games, your Xbox dashboard will clutter. A great way to combat this entropy is to Create some new dashboard sections. Just hit the “two squares” button on the controller (by the way, it’s called the “view” button … weird) and you will find the “Customize Home” screen. This is where you can tweak the colors, design, and background of your dashboard and console. More importantly, you can add and remove sections from the main screen. For example, you can create a section called “Backlog” and put all the games you want to play there. Or you can organize by genre. Or whatever else suits you. Games that you do not currently have installed can also be assigned to these sections.
Consider buying a better controller and headset
I think the new Xbox controller is fantastic. But if you want something a bit fancier, You can upgrade to the anytime Elite controller, improved, more advanced controller hardware. It has useful paddles in the stern, as well as improved sticks and rubber grips. Personally, I haven’t made the leap to an elite controller – it’s very expensive – but many who rave about it.
But I can recommend it personally the excellent official Xbox headset. It’s easy to use, sounds great, and syncs with your Xbox and another device at the same time. This way I can talk to people online using Discord on my phone while still listening to game audio from the Xbox. With the rotary knob on the side of the headset, you can easily and quickly adjust the balance even while gaming.
Do it all In front give to someone
If you’re reading this before they’re going to buy someone new Xbox or you already have them and are preparing to box them up, stop! I strongly recommend setting it up beforehand and following most of the suggestions above before giving that shiny new console to its intended recipient. That way they can open it up, plug it in and start playing right away!
A new console is a great gift, but an even better gift is a new console full of games that are already set up and ready to play.
Once you’ve plugged in your Xbox, installed some fun new games, updated your controller, and sorted your TV settings, it’s time to stop reading this article and play a few video games. Well, unless you want to poke around in the comments first as I suspect some readers may have some additional tips and tricks of their own. Either way, have fun with your new Xbox!
.
Table of Contents
