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Xbox is not building a console into televisions, and it is not making TV programming. It is bringing the Xbox app and its cloud-gaming service to a growing set of smart TVs and streaming devices, so you can play Xbox games on a compatible screen without owning an Xbox console. Access depends on the exact model, software version, country and rollout stage, and the rollout is gradual.
What Xbox is actually doing on TVs
This is a distribution move. Xbox places its app on television platforms made by other companies, and the games run in the cloud and stream to the set. Xbox says progress, friends, achievements and saves carry across its ecosystem. It is still streaming, not a console running locally inside the TV, so it should not be treated as a full replacement for every console function.
How the TV rollout has developed
| Date | What was announced | Status to know |
|---|---|---|
| April 23, 2025 | LG Electronics said the Xbox app, then labeled Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), was available to eligible LG Smart TV owners in “over 25 countries.” | A dated company availability claim as of that release. |
| January 5, 2026 | Xbox Wire announced a partnership with V (formerly VIDAA) to bring cloud gaming to select Hisense and V homeOS TVs during 2026. | A plan. Use the later July update for rollout status. |
| July 30, 2026 | Xbox Wire said the app had started rolling out to VIDAA OS-powered smart TVs, including supported Hisense models, with the TV needing VIDAA OS 9.6 or higher. | The most recent Xbox rollout update. Rollout is gradual across devices and regions. |
| September 4, 2026 | Xbox and TCL announced a partnership to bring the app to select TCL Smart TVs “in the coming months.” | Forward-looking. TCL says eligibility will arrive in phases through software updates, and models, markets and timing will be announced later. |
| October 2026 | Windows Central reported that Microsoft plans to end app support for some 2020 Samsung Smart TVs. | A report based on a customer email. See the Samsung section below. |
Which TVs and devices support the Xbox app
Xbox’s own TV page is the reference point, and its listings change. The table below reflects what Xbox listed or announced as of October 2026.
| Platform | What Xbox lists | Status |
|---|---|---|
| VIDAA OS / Hisense | VIDAA OS 9.6 or higher, on compatible models | Rolling out now, by device and region |
| TCL Smart TVs | No models named yet | Announced; not yet available |
| LG | Select LG TVs running webOS 24 or later, plus some 2022 and 2023 sets after the software updates listed in Xbox’s footnote | Listed on Xbox’s page |
| Samsung | 2020-and-newer TVs, subject to Xbox’s current caveats | Listed, with an open question about 2020 models (see below) |
| Amazon Fire TV | Selected Fire TV devices named on Xbox’s page | Listed on Xbox’s page |
Model lists are narrow. Check the exact model number, software version and your country before buying a set for Xbox games.
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What you need to play
- A supported screen or device from the list above, with the required software. For VIDAA sets, that means VIDAA OS 9.6 or higher.
- A compatible controller. For supported VIDAA devices, Xbox names the Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, PlayStation DualSense and DualShock 4. An Xbox-branded controller is not the only option listed.
- A stable internet connection. Xbox recommends a wired connection or 5 GHz Wi-Fi with 20 Mbps or higher for best performance. This is setup guidance, not a guaranteed speed, and actual performance varies with location, device and connection.
- A Game Pass subscription or cloud-play entitlement. Most available cloud games require an active Game Pass subscription, with exceptions.
Subscription and playtime on TCL sets
For TCL, Xbox says cloud playtime can be included with Game Pass or sold separately. Pricing and packaging for TCL sets have not been announced, so do not assume a specific offer.
What cloud streaming can and cannot promise
- Catalog varies. Games, features and availability change over time and depend on region, device and plan. A title on Xbox’s site may not be playable on every TV or in every country.
- Streaming has limits. Xbox notes that cloud streaming can be limited in resolution, audio outputs, cloud-save-only storage and peripheral support.
- No measured performance here. This article does not report latency, picture quality or reliability. Those depend on your home network and your set.
The 2020 Samsung TV question
Xbox’s compatibility page still lists Samsung 2020-and-newer TVs, subject to its caveats. A Windows Central report from October 2026 says Microsoft told some owners by email that the app would stop supporting 2020 Samsung Smart TVs beginning November 3, 2026, citing incompatibility with the operating system version on those sets. The report rests on the email it quotes. This article did not find a Microsoft support notice confirming the change, so if you own a 2020 Samsung set, check Xbox’s device page and any direct notice from Microsoft before relying on it.
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TV, Fire TV or console: how the options compare
| Factor | Smart TV app | Supported Fire TV device | Dedicated Xbox console |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware and OS eligibility | Specific models and software versions, as listed above | Selected devices named on Xbox’s page | Not stated in the sources for this article |
| Country and rollout | Gradual by region and device; TCL not yet live | Region not stated | Not stated in the sources for this article |
| Subscription or playtime | Most cloud games need Game Pass, with exceptions | Not stated separately | Not covered by the TV guidance |
| Controller support | Named list for VIDAA devices | Not stated separately | Not covered by the TV guidance |
| Network guidance | Wired or 5 GHz Wi-Fi, 20 Mbps or higher recommended | Not stated separately | Not covered by the TV guidance |
| Cloud or local play | Cloud streaming | Cloud streaming | Local console play |
A supported TV makes sense if you already own a listed set and want Xbox games without extra hardware. A dedicated console is the better fit if you want local play or features the cloud service does not cover.
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What Xbox says, and what the numbers do not prove
Chris Schnakenberg, CVP of Xbox Partnerships and Business Development, said in the July 30, 2026 Xbox Wire announcement: “We’re continuing to bring XBOX to more devices players already own, giving them more ways to jump into their favorite games, especially those who may not be able to afford or justify buying dedicated gaming hardware.” That describes Xbox’s intent. It is not evidence of consumer adoption or business results.
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- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Rank #3
- 4k Ultra HD (2160p resolution): Enjoy breathtaking HDR10 4K movies and TV shows at 4 times the resolution of Full HD, and upscale your current content to Ultra HD-level picture quality.
- High Dynamic Range: Provides a wide range of color details and sharper contrast, from the brightest whites to the deepest blacks.
- All-in-one: Get right to your good stuff. With Fire TV, you can enjoy a world of entertainment from apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. Plus, stream for free with Fire TV Channels, Pluto TV, Tubi, and more. Access over 1.8 million movies and TV episodes. Subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.
- Smart Home: Your smart home hub. Pair Fire TV with compatible smart home devices to see live camera feeds, use AirPlay, control your lighting and thermostat, and more.
- Free Content: Stream for free. Access over 1 million free movies and TV episodes from popular ad-supported streaming apps like Fire TV Channels, Tubi, and Pluto TV. Subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.
- “Millions of VIDAA OS-powered Smart TVs” (Xbox Wire, July 30, 2026) describes the population of sets the rollout reaches. It is not a count of active users.
- “More than 25 countries” (Xbox Wire, September 4, 2026) describes the TCL TV users the partnership could reach. It is an announcement claim, not a list of markets where the app already works.
- “Over 25 countries” (LG Electronics, April 23, 2025) was LG’s availability claim for its own TVs at that time.
- No independent market statistic was found for this topic. These are company reach claims, not sales, adoption or market-share figures.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
