Katarzyna Petru
The Xbox app has still not made it to Apple TV or Google TV, but there are alternatives that allow you to play Xbox games on other TVs in the house – via a local Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. The team at FlatpanelsHD tested three available solutions to find out which works best.
This isn’t the first time we’ve tried to bring console gaming to other screens — previously we described a way to run games from PlayStation on Apple TV and Google TV (using the PXPlay app). This time we’re focusing on Xbox, where unfortunately there isn’t one perfect app for both platforms.
Xbox on Apple TV
The best solution for the Apple ecosystem has turned out to be the OneCast app. It can be tested for free for 7 days, and the full version costs 15 dollars (a one-time purchase covers Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad). OneCast allows you to stream games not only from your own console at home, but also from the Xbox Cloud – although in this guide, we focus on local playback. It supports both Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
The setup process is not the most convenient — you need to log into your Xbox account through a browser (not on Apple TV). This is a requirement from Microsoft if we want to use Remote Play features.
During testing, we launched, among others, Dirt and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Both titles ran smoothly, with low latency — even somewhat lower than with PXPlay for PlayStation. The image is compressed, but when you enable the “1080p HQ” mode, it looks really decent.
Important: OneCast streams only in 1080p SDR. There is no 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos sound. It works best via Ethernet cable – Wi-Fi increases latency and the risk of stuttering.
Remember to manually enable the “Game” mode on your TV, as the app won't do it automatically.
Sound, Control, and Minor Bugs
There is no support for Dolby Atmos, but you can connect AirPods to Apple TV – spatial audio with head tracking works even, giving you a taste of surround sound. Interestingly, you can also play using the DualSense controller from PS5.
A downside is that the Xbox console can automatically turn on the TV connected via HDMI when we start streaming from another room. This can be bypassed by turning off HDMI-CEC on the console, but then the Xbox will no longer automatically turn on the main TV. Despite these drawbacks – for $15, ChooseTV is a great way for kids to be able to play in their room without the need to buy a second console.
Xbox on Google TV
On devices with Google TV, the situation is more complicated. Originally, the XBPlay app was available, which also supported the Steam Deck, but it was withdrawn on 30 September. Instead, there is an alternative with a nearly identical name – XBXPlay, costing 7 dollars.
The setup is even clunkier than in OneCast – you need to log in to your Xbox account on the TV screen using the Google virtual keyboard. Fortunately, you only need to do this once.
Experience and Performance Quality
ChooseTV connects via Xbox Remote Play, but it cannot wake the console from sleep mode — this needs to be done manually. Similar to OneCast, Xbox turns on the TV connected via HDMI, which can only be disabled in the console's HDMI-CEC settings. With a Wi-Fi connection, delays are noticeable, especially on Chromecast devices, so Ethernet is a must. Over a cable, the game runs smoothly with minimal input lag.
The stream quality is 1080p SDR without HDR and without Dolby Atmos. ChooseTV offers plenty of settings and works seamlessly with Xbox and DualSense controllers, which can be paired via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, we noticed that the controllers do not turn off automatically when Google TV goes into sleep mode — this seems to be a system bug. This issue does not occur on Apple TV.
Overall impression? ChooseTV works well, though not as “smoothly” as OneCast on Apple TV. But for $7, it’s a fair option for Xbox fans in the Google ecosystem.
Summary
Platform | Application | Price | Resolution | HDR / Atmos | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apple TV | OneCast | $15 | 1080p SDR | ❌ / ❌ | Stable, smooth, good quality |
Google TV | XBXPlay | $7 | 1080p SDR | ❌ / ❌ | Works, but requires Ethernet |
PXPlay (PlayStation) | – | $5 | 1080p / 4K | ✔️ / ✔️ | Most polished solution |
If you want to play Xbox games on a TV in another room – OneCast on Apple TV is currently the best solution. It works stably, supports controllers, AirPods, and provides good enough image quality.
On Google TV, this can be done via XBXPlay, but be prepared for more configuration and the need for an Ethernet cable. It’s not yet the perfect solution, but it allows you to turn any TV in the house into a mini Xbox – without buying another console.
Source: Flatpanelshd
