Everything you need to know about linking Steam and Xbox

A new social feature connects your Xbox profile with your activity on Steam, although for now it is only available to insiders.

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Microsoft is taking steps to improve the gaming experience on PC, and the latest move points to a greater connection between platforms. The Xbox app for Windows has started to include an option to link Steam accounts, allowing access to new social features within the Xbox ecosystem. For now, this feature is only available to Xbox Insider program users, but it’s expected to arrive soon for the rest of the players.

This integration doesn’t affect performance and doesn’t require an active Xbox Game Pass subscription. It’s a system designed for those who combine Steam and Xbox as their main platforms and are looking for a more convenient way to access their contact network and recent games from a single application.

How Steam integration works in the Xbox app for PC

What does this integration allow?
Once the account is linked, the Xbox app will display your Steam activity: you can see what your friends are playing, who’s online, and launch recent games directly from the app.

Is Xbox Game Pass required?
No. The feature is completely free and accessible to any user with the Xbox app on PC. You just need to be in the Insider program to try it before anyone else.

What information is shared?
By linking both accounts, Xbox accesses your Steam username, friend list, and recently played titles. No credentials or sensitive personal data are shared.

Does it sync achievements or statistics?
No. This integration is purely social. There’s no synchronization of achievements or progress across platforms.

Is it possible to voice chat with friends who are on Steam?
Yes, as long as they’re connected from the Xbox app, you can initiate voice chats, even if they’re playing on Steam.

How is the integration activated?
From the Xbox app for PC, access Settings > Linked accounts and select Steam. After logging in with your account, the integration will be active.

What if I change my mind?
You can unlink your Steam account at any time from the same configuration menu.

Will there be compatibility with other platforms like Epic or Battle.net?
For now, only Steam is supported, but Microsoft has already hinted that in the future, it could expand this functionality to other digital stores.

Can I launch any game from the Xbox app, even if it’s not from Microsoft?
Yes. One of the most notable features of this integration is that it allows you to launch any game from your Steam library directly from the Xbox app for PC, regardless of who developed or published it. This includes third-party titles, independent studios, and even games from PlayStation Studios that are available on Steam.

This functionality turns the Xbox app into a unified access center for your PC games, regardless of their origin. Additionally, Microsoft has already announced that this capability will be extended to new Xbox devices in the future, reinforcing its strategy to open the Xbox ecosystem to more services and platforms.