Whether you've just bought a new console or you've had it for a while but feel like you're not getting the most out of it, this article is for you. Here you'll find the best tips, tweaks, and hidden features of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S to help you get the most out of your games: from optimizing performance and HDR to organizing your library and sharing your best gameplay moments.
The idea is that, regardless of your experience level, you can discover settings, shortcuts, and tips that go beyond the obvious . Many of these tricks are very basic for veteran players, but others are hidden gems that often go unnoticed among so many menus. Get comfortable, turn on your console, and let's get your Xbox up and running.
Make the most of your collection: games and saves that travel with you
When you sign in to your Xbox Series X with your Microsoft account, your entire digital library from Xbox One and previous generations is automatically associated with the new console, without you having to buy anything again.
If you have games on disc, you can insert them into the Series X's physical drive to add them to your list of playable titles . The console will download the appropriate version, and you can continue enjoying them as usual.
Additionally, if you had cloud sync enabled, your saved games will be automatically restored , allowing you to pick up right where you left off on your previous Xbox.
Personalize your profile and compete with your colleagues
Your gamertag is your introduction on Xbox, and it's worth spending a few minutes on it. From the console settings, you can change your gamertag, write a short bio, choose a theme, and even design an avatar to personalize your profile.
You can also access the social section of the interface to view your friends' full profiles . When you view someone's profile, you'll find a games section where you can compare your progress.
With the option to compare games, you'll see which titles you both play, how many achievements you have, and what challenges you're missing , adding a healthy competitive element to keep improving.
Your profile also functions as a kind of social wall: you can post text messages, share screenshots or clips , and keep a record of your latest feats for the rest of your friends to see.
If you don't want everyone to know when you're online, you can easily activate the "Show Offline" or "Do Not Disturb" options in your profile menu , which are very useful when you want to play quietly without constant invitations.
Organize the interface: Home, Groups, and Appearance
The Xbox Series X/S home screen is highly customizable. You can add your favorite games to the Home section to keep your most frequently played games readily available, complete with their own row of achievements, clips, and clubs.
From "My games and apps" you can create custom groups of games and apps . For example, one group for indie games, another for competitive multiplayer, or one exclusively for multimedia applications.
In the "Personalize Home" menu, you can rearrange, add, or remove content blocks : specific games, groups, friends, or official clubs. This way, you make your home screen truly yours, not just a generic jumble.
Visually, Xbox lets you customize colors, wallpaper, light or dark themes, and interface animation . In the personalization section, you'll find options like "My Color & Background" and "Theme & Animation" to personalize it to your liking.
Additionally, the guide menu (the panel that appears when you press the Xbox button on the controller) can also be adjusted: in the customization settings you can change the order of the guide tabs to put what you use most first (friends, screenshots, Game Pass, etc.).
Catalog, optimized games, and advanced filters
Even if you don't have the budget to buy games every so often, in the Xbox store you'll find a small but interesting catalog of completely free titles , including popular free-to-play games and demos, and safe ways to get cheap video games.
To see them all, you can use the Store search engine by entering the word "free" to list free-to-play games and trial versions , remembering that many are financed with internal microtransactions.
Inside the store you'll see that some titles sport the "X|S" badge , indicating that they have been specifically adapted for Series X and Series S, offering better graphics, shorter loading times, and sometimes high-performance modes.
In your library, “My games and apps” includes very powerful filters: you can show only games optimized for Series X/S, only Xbox One, or even original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles , if you have them in your account.
You can also filter by content type, multiplayer or campaign, genre, or even change the tile size to see more games on screen , which is useful when your collection starts to get huge.
Downloads, network, and speed test
When you first get a new console, it's typical to add a mountain of games to the download queue. What you might not know is that Xbox Series X/S downloads one game at a time, instead of doing it in parallel , prioritizing the first one you added.
From "My games and apps" and the "Queue" section you can easily pause and reorder downloads , giving priority to the games you want to have ready first.
If you notice very slow speeds and are unsure whether the problem lies with your connection or the servers, the console itself has a built-in speed test in the network menu . From "Settings > General > Network Settings" you can test your connection and see actual upload and download speeds.
This same network menu will help you diagnose problems, check for packet loss, or force a quick reconnect if something goes wrong with your internet service.
Adjust your Xbox to your TV: resolution, 120Hz, HDR, and color
A key part of visual performance is found in the "TV and display options" section. From there, you can adjust resolution, refresh rate, video modes, HDR, and other parameters that make a big difference to the experience and help mitigate pop-in in video games.
If you want to minimize latency, first activate game mode on your TV and then, on the console, enable the Auto Low Latency (ALLM) option in the display settings , provided your TV supports it.
If your panel supports 120Hz, you can configure your console to run at 120 FPS in compatible games . Go to “Settings > General > TV & Display Options” and adjust the refresh rate to 120Hz in the Refresh Rate section.
To get the most out of HDR, make sure your TV is compatible with HDR10, then activate HDR modes in "Video Modes" and use the HDR calibration tool for gaming found in the same display options menu.
If your TV is 4K, you can select 4K UHD in the resolution settings and enable 4K and Dolby Vision, provided your TV supports them. It's highly recommended to use the original HDMI 2.1 cable included with your console to ensure sufficient bandwidth.
Multimedia center: discs, music, apps and spatial sound
The Xbox Series X isn't just for gaming: it's also a complete multimedia center with a Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray, and audio CD player . When you insert a disc for the first time, the console will offer to download the necessary app to play it.
The Store offers apps like Spotify and TuneIn that let you listen to music or radio in the background while you play . The console automatically adjusts the game volume so the music stands out without completely drowning out the game's audio.
If you prefer to set up your own media center, you can install heavyweights like Kodi or Plex, which allow you to play your local or network content and turn your Xbox into the heart of your living room.
In terms of audio, the console supports spatial sound: Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, and DTS Headphone:X . Depending on your headphones or sound system, choosing the right format can dramatically change your immersion.
You should experiment with these options, as hearing footsteps, gunshots, and 360° effects offers a huge advantage in many competitive games and adds a cinematic touch to single-player campaigns.
Captures, clips, and streaming: share your best moments
The Xbox Series controller features a dedicated capture button, allowing you to take a screenshot with a single tap or record a clip by holding it down . You can then manage everything in the "Captures & Share" section.
From “Preferences > Captures and sharing” you can adjust the image quality, resolution and duration of the recordings , as well as decide whether they are stored on the console or on an external device.
The official Xbox app on your mobile lets you access your screenshots to share them on any social network, send them via messaging, or save them to your gallery , using the native Android or iOS sharing system.
If you also want to stream live, you just need to install the Twitch app on your console, log in with your account, and from the broadcast tab, configure the basic settings and start streaming before opening the game; if you want to add camera footage, see how to use your professional camera.
The integration is very polished: you can adjust the broadcast title, category, quality and start broadcasting your Xbox Series X/S games to the world in a matter of seconds , without an external capture card or PC.
Play from your mobile device and manage the console remotely
With the Xbox app and remote features enabled, your console becomes much more flexible. For one thing, you can stream games from your Xbox to an Android phone , sending the image in real time to your device.
Simply pair the controller to your phone via Bluetooth, open the Xbox app, tap the console icon, and select Remote Play. It's the perfect way to follow the game from the sofa, bed, or any other room , as long as your home network can handle it.
On the other hand, the Xbox and Game Pass apps let you download games to your console even if it's in another room or even away from home . From the game's page, you can start the download and see how much space it will take up.
This has a clear advantage: you can start downloading a paid game even before you have the physical disc . When you get home and insert the Blu-ray, the game will already be installed, and you'll simply unlock the license to play.
You can also use the mobile app itself to browse clubs, official gaming groups, messaging and notifications , complementing the console experience in a very convenient way.
Accessories, compatibility and “extra” uses of the controller
A major advantage of the new generation of Xbox is that Xbox One accessories are fully compatible with the Series X and Series S. Controllers, headsets, and other peripherals will continue to work seamlessly.
The Series X controller can also easily connect to other devices. Via Bluetooth, you can pair it with Android phones, tablets, and some Smart TVs , using it as a standard gamepad for games and streaming services.
On PC you can use it wired to reduce latency and forget about battery consumption, taking advantage of Windows' native integration with Xbox controllers to play titles from the Microsoft Store as well as other platforms.
If you're someone who cares a lot about the tactile experience, it's a good idea to go into the controller settings and check vibration options, button assignments, and other parameters , especially if you use controllers with extra features.
Privacy, parental controls, and well-being while playing
In the "Online and family safety" menu, you have a control center from which you can adjust your account privacy, limit the sending of data to Microsoft, and manage what information your apps share.
From there you can also enable message filters, so that the sending of suspicious links or unwanted content through the chat is blocked , which greatly reduces the risk of spam.
If the console is used by minors, with Xbox Family and the family menu itself you can set play time limits, restrict content by age and monitor friend requests or online play of your children.
In “Preferences > Idle Options” you can decide what the console does when it has been unused for a while: dim the screen, turn it off, or keep certain content , thus protecting the lifespan of the television.
And if you tend to have marathon gaming sessions, the rest reminder is a lifesaver: you can activate periodic reminders so that the console itself suggests you stop, stretch, drink water and clear your mind before continuing.
Accessibility, universal zoom, and extra visual adjustments
The Xbox accessibility section is very comprehensive, and not just for those with visual impairments. One of the most useful features is the universal magnifier, which allows you to zoom in on any part of the screen , both in games and apps.
Activating the magnifying glass will display an on-screen shortcut with a button combination to zoom in and move around the image when the text or certain elements appear too small , which is common in some titles.
By combining magnification with good HDR and brightness calibration, you can improve the readability of menus and subtitles , especially in brightly lit rooms or on large screens where you sit far away.
Remember to also check the image size and safe border settings of the interface to ensure that all text, icons, and game markers are fully visible and not cut off by the TV frame.
Transfers between consoles and power modes
If you're coming from an Xbox One, you don't have to download everything again from scratch. With the network transfer feature, you can move games and data from one console to another using your local network.
To do this, connect both consoles to the same network, go to "System > Backup & Transfer" and enable the "Network Transfer" option to authorize the transfer . From the Series X, you can then search for the One and copy the selected games.
Regarding energy consumption, Xbox Series X/S offers two main modes: a power-saving mode that completely turns off the console and takes a little longer to start up , and a fast-start mode in which certain components remain "at rest".
Fast mode allows you to download updates and content in the background, but it keeps the console slightly warmer and uses more power even when it's seemingly off . It's worth choosing the mode that best suits your needs.
It is also possible to reduce the presence of the typical power-up beep, or even silence it altogether from the settings, if you want to turn on the console discreetly without attracting attention at home.
Game Pass, Rewards and clubs: getting the most out of the Xbox ecosystem
If you own an Xbox Series X or S, Game Pass (especially the Ultimate version) is practically a must. With the subscription, you'll have immediate access to hundreds of games, including all Microsoft studio titles from day one , third-party games, and the EA Play catalog.
Game Pass also integrates with Microsoft Rewards. With daily, weekly, and monthly tasks in the Game Pass app, you can accumulate points simply by playing, launching specific games, or using the mobile app , which you can then redeem for credit, subscription months, or even hardware.
The Rewards app (identified by a medal icon) offers additional missions that allow you to earn points every day with very simple actions , such as searching or trying out some recommended titles.
Each Xbox game has an official club that you can access from its game page or the main interface. In these clubs, you'll find community posts, people looking for groups, achievement lists, and chat rooms designed for organizing games.
You can also create your own clubs with friends or like-minded players, turning them into meeting points to organize sessions, share clips and discuss strategies for your favorite titles.
Integrations with social networks and voice assistants
From the "Linked social accounts" section, you can connect your Xbox profile to Facebook, Twitter (X), and Discord . Each of these integrations has its own practical uses.
Linking Facebook lets you easily find friends who also play on Xbox , while linking Twitter makes it easier to share clips and screenshots directly to your timeline without any intermediate steps.
Connecting to Discord allows you to display information on your profile about what you're playing on Xbox, making it easier for your contacts to see what game you're playing and to organize cross-platform games more quickly.
Additionally, from the "Devices and connections > Digital assistants" menu, you can activate compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa to control the console by voice : turn it on, turn it off, open games or apps, manage playback, and even take screenshots.
This makes the Xbox another device in your connected home, ideal if you already use smart speakers, screens with assistants, or home automation routines that you want to integrate with your gaming sessions.
After exploring all these tricks, settings, and hidden features, it's clear that Xbox Series X and Series S are much more than just a simple "plug and play" console: by getting to know their menus, ecosystem, and remote options, you can get incredible performance out of both your games and your time, enjoying a smoother, more personalized experience tailored to your play style , whether you're looking to compete at the highest level or simply relax on the couch with your favorite title.
