Microsoft xCloud coming to iOS, Windows in spring 2021

Microsoft xCloud gaming service is currently available only for Android devices.

Microsoft xCloud cloud gaming service. (Microsoft)

Microsoft has announced the launch timeline for its xCloud gaming service to iOS and Windows. Microsoft xCloud will be available on the iPhone, iPad and Windows PCs in spring 2021.

Microsoft xCloud will be available at $15 ( ₹1,200 approx) per month with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. On Windows PCs, xCloud will be available through the Xbox app and browser. iPhone and iPad users will be able to access the cloud gaming service through mobile web browser.

Microsoft's cloud gaming service was scheduled to launch for iOS when it launched in beta for Android in September. Apple barred Microsoft and Google from running their cloud gaming services saying that it was in violation of Apple's App store guidelines. Microsoft has now opted for a mobile web browser experience for xCloud on iOS. The same has been adopted by Nvidia and Google for their cloud gaming platforms.

“By adding over a billion devices as a path to playing in the Xbox ecosystem, we envision a seamless experience for all types of players; whether it's playing Minecraft Dungeons with your Xbox friends using touch controls on an iPhone, or jumping into a Destiny 2: Beyond Light strike on a Surface Pro when you have a break between meetings,” Microsoft said in a blog post.

Microsoft plans to expand its cloud gaming platform to more countries including Australia, Brazil, Japan and Mexico, through Xbox Pass Ultimate. It's currently available in 22 countries including the US, the UK, Ireland, South Korea, Portugal, Germany and Sweden.