Microsoft has been steadily grouping the Xbox brand and Windows 10 together with a renewed focus on gaming. Back in January, streaming functionality between Xbox and PC was added which allowed you to play Xbox One games on multiple devices. The main caveat is you still had to own an Xbox One console which made this move pointless to a number of PC Gamers. While the streaming software has tons of potential, the video quality is quite average and based on a compressed video stream.
Thanks to Reddit user, OomaThurman (Fantastic name), there is a manual fix to increase the streaming quality and reach speeds of 20mbps. This provides a clearer, sharper image and while not groundbreaking, is a very noticeable difference. To alter the video feed quality from High to Very High, please follow these instructions:
Locate the Xbox App folder and open “userconsoledata” with a text editor such as Notepad++. This folder should be placed in C:Users%USERNAME%AppDataLocalPackagesMicrosoft.XboxApp_~~~~~~LocalState. If you cannot access the folder, ensure “Show hidden files and folders” is checked in Windows’ folder options. Now, press Control and F, and type “IsInternalPreview”. Once you have found this entry, change the flag to “true”; there may be multiple entries which need changing.
Next, you should be able to select the Very High preset and stream to your PC in maximum quality. Redditer, Chickern provided two images showing World of Tanks in action and compared High with Very High. The top image shows the High preset while the bottom is a Very High stream, or is it? I’ll let you decide! Our editor Peter tested it out too and reported a leap from 720p stream to 1080p@60fps in Forza 5.
Install [PS Remote Play] on your Mac computer, and then connect to your PS4 console.
Remote Play is a new way to access your Xbox One ® games from your PC, Mac, Android, iPad, or iPhone available now. Download free, software and begin streaming your Xbox games wherever you are by accessing your Windows 10 game streaming machine remotely. Xbox Remote Play for Xbox (X/S) – Xbox Series X/S are not supported! LAN Connections only! GPU Hardware Decoding. REPL4Y gives you the choice to select which hardware video decoder you use, this way you get to decide which one offers the best performance for your hardware! Choose between Nvidia Cuda, D3D11, Intel Quick Sync or DXVA. Instantly share your Steam local multi-player games with friends over the internet, for free. Using Remote Play Together, one player owns and runs the game, then up to four players — or even more with fast connections — can quickly join in the fun. With support for Remote Play Together. Invite anyone to play. “If you always wanted to play Xbox One games on your Mac when someone else is using your TV, this is definitely easier than installing Windows 10 on your Mac.” GottaBe Mobile “The setup is simple and it works very well.
Get ready
You’ll need the following to use Remote Play:
Mac
OS macOS High Sierra
macOS Mojave
macOS Catalina
macOS Big SurStorage space 40 MB or more RAM 2 GB or more - PS4 console
Always update your PS4 console to the latest version of the system software. - An account for PlayStation™Network
Use the same account that you use for your PS4 console. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one first. - High-speed internet connection
As a standard, we recommend a high-speed connection with upload and download speeds of at least 5 Mbps. For best performance, we recommend a high-speed connection with upload and download speeds of at least 15 Mbps. - DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller
Play games installed on your Xbox console, including Xbox Game Pass titles, to any compatible Android or iOS device. Currently excludes backward compatible titles from Xbox 360 or Original Xbox. Xbox Wireless Controllers accompanying the Xbox Series X and Xbox One X, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller.
- You can also use your wireless controller for your PS5 console. You can use Bluetooth® to connect your controller to a Mac running macOS Big Sur (11.3) or later. If you can’t connect using Bluetooth®, use a USB cable. For details on Bluetooth® pairing, see “Using a wireless controller”.
- To use voice chat, you’ll need a microphone, such as the built-in microphone on your Mac.
Install the app
You’ll only need to do these steps the first time you use the app. You can use the same app to connect to your PS4 console and PS5 console.
Download [PS Remote Play] and save it to your desktop or other location.
Read the “SIE application end user license agreement” as well as the “Privacy policy”. When you select the checkbox, the download button will become available.
Remote Play Xbox One On Mac
Set up your PS4 console
Set up your PS4 console in the following ways. You’ll only need to do this the first time you use Remote Play:
- From the function screen, go to [Settings] > [Remote Play Connection Settings], and then turn on [Enable Remote Play].
- From the function screen, go to [Settings] > [Account Management] > [Activate as Your Primary PS4], and then select [Activate]. You can enable this setting on only one PS4 console for each account. Find out more about activating your PS4 console as your primary console in the PS4 User’s Guide.
- To start Remote Play while your PS4 console is in rest mode, select [Settings] > [Power Save Settings] > [Set Features Available in Rest Mode]. Then select the checkboxes for [Stay Connected to the Internet] and [Enable Turning on PS4 from Network].
Start Remote Play
Remote Play Xbox One Mac Download
You’ll take the following steps each time you connect to your PS4 console from your Mac.
- 1.
- Turn on your PS4 console or put it into rest mode.
- 2.
- Connect your Mac and your controller using Bluetooth®.
For details on Bluetooth® pairing, see “Using a wireless controller”.
You can also use a USB cable. - 3.
- Launch [PS Remote Play] on your Mac, and then select [Sign In to PSN].
- 4.
- Sign in with the same account that you use for your PS4 console.
When you select [Settings], you can configure video quality settings for Remote Play such as resolution and frame rate. - 5.
- Select [PS4].
The app searches for the PS4 console that you set up in Set up your PS4 console, and then connects. After it connects, the screen of your PS4 console displays on your Mac and you can start using Remote Play.
From the second time onwards, you’ll be able to select the console that you connected to previously.
- Before trying to connect remotely from outside your home, check that your device connects properly while you're near your PS4 console.
- If the app can’t find the device that you’d like to connect, or if you can’t use Remote Play, see “When Remote Play is not available”.
Remote Play controls
Besides using your controller, you can also control your PS4 console with the control panel.
During Remote Play, if you move the mouse cursor of your Mac over the screen that you’re using for Remote Play, the control panel displays:
Xbox One Remote Play App
- SHARE button
Perform the same functions as the controller’s SHARE button. - PS button
Display the home screen of your PS4 console. - OPTIONS button
Perform the same functions as the controller’s OPTIONS button. Microphone status
Select [Mic on] / [Mic off] to turn the microphone on or off.Mic on Mic off Mic not connected - Battery level
Check your controller’s battery level.
Quit Remote Play
- 1.
- Click the at the top left corner of the screen you’re using for Remote Play.
You’ll see a message that says “This Remote Play session will be disconnected”.
To quit Remote Play while your PS4 console is in rest mode, select the checkbox for [Put the connected console in rest mode]. - 2.
- Select [OK].
Remote Play quits and the screen returns to its original state before your Mac was connected to your PS4 console.
To uninstall [PS Remote Play], drag [PS Remote Play] from your Applications folder and into the trash. Then, go to Finder and select [Empty trash]. Folder and command names might vary depending on your OS version.