Microsoft and TCL are partnering to bring the Xbox app to select TCL smart TVs, allowing viewers to stream games through Xbox Cloud Gaming without a console. According to the announcement, the app will reach certain TCL models in the coming months and will be offered in over 25 countries.
To use the service, players need the Xbox app, a supported controller, and cloud playtime, which is included with an Xbox Game Pass subscription or can be bought separately. Game Pass members get instant access to a library of cloud-playable games, and their games, friends, achievements, and saves carry over across the Xbox ecosystem.
The announcement, made on September 4, leaves several details open. Microsoft did not specify which TCL TV models will support the app, when exactly it will launch, or what it will cost beyond the existing cloud playtime options. The company also did not say whether the app will be free to download, which Xbox Game Pass tiers are required, or what streaming quality or internet speeds are needed.
There is also no word on whether the app will come pre-installed on TCL TVs or which of the company's TV software platforms will support it. The partnership appears limited to select models, with no mention of expansion to other TCL TVs or partnerships with other TV brands.
Microsoft has cast the deal as part of an effort to let people play its games in more places. In March, the company said its Gaming Copilot assistant would arrive on Xbox consoles later in 2026.
