The short version
- Since September 29, any Xbox owner can turn a supported game disc into a digital copy. It's free.
- It works with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S discs, not Xbox 360 or original Xbox discs.
- Over 1,500 games work so far, but Forza, Bandai Namco and Square Enix games are missing.
- Keep the disc. The digital copy is tied to it, so selling or lending the disc can cost you the licence.
How to do it
- Use a console with a disc drive: an Xbox Series X or an Xbox One with a drive. The Series S has no drive.
- If you don't see the option, restart your console. Microsoft says some people need a restart before the feature shows up.
- Put the disc in and launch the game. You can also press the Menu button on the game's tile and choose Claim Digital License.
- Once it confirms, the game shows up in your library and you can install it from there.
After that, you don't need the disc in the drive to play.
What you get
- No more swapping discs.
- Xbox Play Anywhere and cloud play, but only where the game already supports them.
- Some games that were pulled from the store come back this way. Deadpool, Onrush and Transformers: Devastation are early examples.
What's missing
Microsoft hasn't published an official list of supported games. Fan-run trackers fill the gap for now. Ubisoft and Sega games have been added since testing began, but Forza titles and games from Bandai Namco and Square Enix don't work yet. Some older pressings of supported games don't work either.
The catch
The licence follows the disc, not you. There's no time limit, but if someone else puts your disc in their Xbox and claims it, the licence moves to their account and you lose it. So selling, lending or losing the disc can take your digital copy with it.
Who it suits
- Convert now if you have a shelf of supported discs and just want to stop swapping them.
- Think first if you trade in or lend games, or if you collect physical copies.
- Slow internet? The digital copy still has to be downloaded in full, so a big game can take a while.
