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 its latest move points to greater cross-platform connectivity. The Xbox app for Windows has started including 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 roll out to all players soon.
This integration doesn’t affect performance and doesn’t require an active Xbox Game Pass subscription. It’s a system designed for those who use both 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 app.
How the Steam integration works in the Xbox app for PC
What does this integration allow?
Once your 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.
Do I need Xbox Game Pass?
No. The feature is completely free and accessible to any user with the Xbox app on PC. You just need to be part of the Insider program to try it out 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 stats?
No. This integration is purely social. There’s no syncing of achievements or progress across platforms.
Can I voice chat with friends on Steam?
Yes, as long as they’re connected through the Xbox app, you can initiate voice chats, even if they’re playing on Steam.
How do I activate the integration?
From the Xbox app for PC, go to Settings > Linked accounts and select Steam. After signing 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 settings menu.
Will there be compatibility with other platforms like Epic or Battle.net?
For now, only Steam is supported, but Microsoft has hinted that it may expand this functionality to other digital stores in the future.
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, indie games, and even games from PlayStation Studios that are available on Steam.
This functionality turns the Xbox app into a unified access hub 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 up the Xbox ecosystem to more services and platforms.
Remember: this new feature is only available for now in the Xbox app’s Insider channel, so if you don’t see it in your account yet, you’ll have to wait a few weeks until it’s publicly released.
Jose Angel is one of the founders of Generación Xbox, Universo Samsung and Reflotes. He has been managing all the group's websites since 2014 and has extensive experience in the video games sector and has provided exclusive sources for the website. He has also interviewed numerous personalities from the video game world. Jose Angel has reviewed more than 200 games, and usually rates them with an average score of 75 out of 100 according to Open Critic. He also writes and manages Samsung Universe.
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