![\"Xbox](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/8-best-xbox-series-x-features-to-set-up-first.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nQuick Resume<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nThe most significant feature that Xbox has been touting with the release of the Series X and Series S is the new Quick Resume feature. In short, Quick Resume allows you to jump between multiple games fast by leaving titles in suspended states. The best part is that Quick Resume is a built-in feature of the Xbox Series X or S. There are no specific settings you need to activate; it just automatically works with supported games.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nNow, it\u2019s important to note that this feature was deactivated for Xbox Series X\/S-optimized titles during our review period with the consoles<\/a>, but we were able to test it with new-gen preview builds before that happened. Unfortunately, Quick Resume only supports Backwards Compatible games at launch, but Xbox has told us that they plan to implement a post-launch patch to enable the feature\u2019s support of next-gen-optimized games. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPersonally, this feature is nice to have for those days when I\u2019m not exactly sure what I want to play and can bounce from game to game on a whim. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/8-best-xbox-series-x-features-to-set-up-first-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nPins Are Now Groups<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nPins were an early addition to the Xbox One\u2019s user interface features and became a staple for fans who wanted to organize and access their games quickly. With the rollout of the Xbox Series X and S, pins have been replaced by Groups, which is a convenient way to organize games or applications. <\/span><\/span>To view existing Pins and other Groups, press the Xbox button to open the Guide, then navigate to \u201cMy Games and Apps,\u201d wherein you\u2019ll find Groups.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nOnce in Groups, select the \u201cCreate a Group\u201d option. Now here\u2019s where the fun happens – you can order games and apps in whatever way you\u2019d like. Own an abundance of multiplayer games? Want to catalog all of your Series X-optimized games in one place? Regardless of which games you\u2019re sorting together, next, you\u2019ll need to give the Group a name. <\/span><\/span>Select the games or apps you want to include and create the Group. <\/span><\/span>Once you\u2019ve successfully created a Group, press the controller\u2019s Menu button, which will display options to rename, re-organize, delete, or even add your Group to the Xbox\u2019s Home dashboard.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/8-best-xbox-series-x-features-to-set-up-first-2.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nShare Button Features<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nOne of the more convenient features of the Xbox Series X is the new controller\u2019s dedicated Share button, which allows users to record videos and capture screenshots on the fly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTo get started, simply tap the Share button once to take a screenshot, or hold the button down to record a 30-second clip. To view your recent capture gallery, quickly tap the Share button twice. From here, you can click on a specific video or screenshot to share with social media, message to friends, or open up contextual options like trimming a video or assigning a screenshot as the background display image of your Xbox\u2019s home dashboard. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPrefer different control bindings, recording lengths, or clip resolution settings? No problem \u2014 you can customize the Share feature\u2019s available settings by navigating to the Settings app, then scroll down to the Preferences tab, click Capture & Share, which will then open up all of the available capture settings that can be customized. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/8-best-xbox-series-x-features-to-set-up-first-3.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nDay \/ Night Screen Settings<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nIf you\u2019re familiar with the Xbox ecosystem, then you\u2019re no stranger to the ability you have to customize your Xbox\u2019s home screen. However, one of my favorite features is a new addition that allows users to schedule light and dark system themes according to local sunrise and sunset times. Scheduled system themes on Xbox work similarly to iPhone\u2019s Night Shift or f.lux on PC. The Xbox will automatically enable its vibrant Light Theme at dawn, and once the sun starts to set, it will switch to a muted Dark Theme to save your eyes from strain in the evening.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTo start, go to the Xbox Home dashboard. Then click the \u201cSelect\u201d button on your controller. This action will open up Customize Home, which is the hub for adding, removing, and reordering what\u2019s on your Home screen, and includes the ability to personalize your Xbox\u2019s background and theme. <\/span><\/span>From there, head over to the right-hand-side column and select Theme & Motion, click System Theme, and then select \u201cScheduled.\u201d Below that, check the box that enables \u201cuse sunrise and sunset times.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAnd that\u2019s it! Now you\u2019ll be saving your eyes from unnecessary blue light when navigating your Xbox\u2019s dashboard and menus late at night.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/8-best-xbox-series-x-features-to-set-up-first-4.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nQuick Access Toolbar<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nThe next feature you should learn to use once you\u2019ve set up your Xbox is the Quick Access Toolbar. I\u2019ve used this feature nearly every day since setting up my Xbox Series X, and I highly recommend using it to navigate a few of the system\u2019s key tools in a quicker fashion.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTo explore the Quick Access menu, press the Xbox button to open up the Guide. Once there, press Right Trigger (RT) to jump to the Quick Access toolbar, which includes user notifications, shortcuts to the Game Pass Library and Microsoft store, a search tool, and basic audio settings.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/8-best-xbox-series-x-features-to-set-up-first-5.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nAccessibility Options<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nThroughout the last few years, Microsoft has made huge strides with its efforts in making video games accessible by more players. With the built-in accessibility options on the Xbox Series X, players can customize a flexible play experience by remapping controller bindings, using the Copilot feature to ostensibly turn two players into one, as well as by enabling aural and visual aids like narration, speech-to-text, and a screen magnifier tool. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTo find the accessibility menu, visit the Settings app, and then scroll down to the Ease of Access tab. Here you can fully test and explore the console\u2019s available accessibility tools. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/8-best-xbox-series-x-features-to-set-up-first-6.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nXbox Mobile App <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nWe\u2019ve all downloaded lackluster video game companion apps in the past, and we\u2019ve all likely regretted it. However, I\u2019m here to tell you that the Xbox mobile app is fantastic, and it\u2019s essential to getting the most out of your experience with the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles. <\/span><\/span>The Xbox app allows users to queue Xbox downloads remotely, manage storage and game installations, communicate with Xbox Live Friends via message or voice, and navigate apps like Netflix without a controller. Depending on your home internet\u2019s network strength, the mobile app unlocks the ability to stream games to your phone via Remote Play, too.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIf you\u2019re interested in using the companion app to enable these convenient features, you can find it on the Apple App Store or Google Play.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/8-best-xbox-series-x-features-to-set-up-first-7.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nGame Pass Quests<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nMost folks know that Xbox Game Pass is a cost-effective method for exploring a plethora of video game experiences on Xbox and PC, but one of the service\u2019s subtler features are Game Pass Quests. In short, Quests allow you to earn redeemable Microsoft Reward Points for completing in-game activities like earning achievements or beating specific challenges. <\/span><\/span>The best part? You can redeem these points for Xbox Live subscription time, digital Xbox store gift cards, or you can even donate them to charities like the Special Olympics or The Trevor Project.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTo redeem rewards points that you\u2019ve earned through Game Pass Quests, open the pre-installed Microsoft Rewards app on your Xbox and then scroll over to the \u201cRedeem\u201d tab. Here you\u2019ll find a bevy of digital goods and services to exchange your points for.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nFor more coverage of the Xbox Series X or Series S consoles, be sure to check out Game Informer’s Xbox Series X\/S Review<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Now, it\u2019s important to note that this feature was deactivated for Xbox Series X\/S-optimized titles during our review period with the consoles<\/a>, but we were able to test it with new-gen preview builds before that happened. Unfortunately, Quick Resume only supports Backwards Compatible games at launch, but Xbox has told us that they plan to implement a post-launch patch to enable the feature\u2019s support of next-gen-optimized games. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Personally, this feature is nice to have for those days when I\u2019m not exactly sure what I want to play and can bounce from game to game on a whim. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Pins were an early addition to the Xbox One\u2019s user interface features and became a staple for fans who wanted to organize and access their games quickly. With the rollout of the Xbox Series X and S, pins have been replaced by Groups, which is a convenient way to organize games or applications. <\/span><\/span>To view existing Pins and other Groups, press the Xbox button to open the Guide, then navigate to \u201cMy Games and Apps,\u201d wherein you\u2019ll find Groups.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Once in Groups, select the \u201cCreate a Group\u201d option. Now here\u2019s where the fun happens – you can order games and apps in whatever way you\u2019d like. Own an abundance of multiplayer games? Want to catalog all of your Series X-optimized games in one place? Regardless of which games you\u2019re sorting together, next, you\u2019ll need to give the Group a name. <\/span><\/span>Select the games or apps you want to include and create the Group. <\/span><\/span>Once you\u2019ve successfully created a Group, press the controller\u2019s Menu button, which will display options to rename, re-organize, delete, or even add your Group to the Xbox\u2019s Home dashboard.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n One of the more convenient features of the Xbox Series X is the new controller\u2019s dedicated Share button, which allows users to record videos and capture screenshots on the fly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n To get started, simply tap the Share button once to take a screenshot, or hold the button down to record a 30-second clip. To view your recent capture gallery, quickly tap the Share button twice. From here, you can click on a specific video or screenshot to share with social media, message to friends, or open up contextual options like trimming a video or assigning a screenshot as the background display image of your Xbox\u2019s home dashboard. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Prefer different control bindings, recording lengths, or clip resolution settings? No problem \u2014 you can customize the Share feature\u2019s available settings by navigating to the Settings app, then scroll down to the Preferences tab, click Capture & Share, which will then open up all of the available capture settings that can be customized. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re familiar with the Xbox ecosystem, then you\u2019re no stranger to the ability you have to customize your Xbox\u2019s home screen. However, one of my favorite features is a new addition that allows users to schedule light and dark system themes according to local sunrise and sunset times. Scheduled system themes on Xbox work similarly to iPhone\u2019s Night Shift or f.lux on PC. The Xbox will automatically enable its vibrant Light Theme at dawn, and once the sun starts to set, it will switch to a muted Dark Theme to save your eyes from strain in the evening.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n To start, go to the Xbox Home dashboard. Then click the \u201cSelect\u201d button on your controller. This action will open up Customize Home, which is the hub for adding, removing, and reordering what\u2019s on your Home screen, and includes the ability to personalize your Xbox\u2019s background and theme. <\/span><\/span>From there, head over to the right-hand-side column and select Theme & Motion, click System Theme, and then select \u201cScheduled.\u201d Below that, check the box that enables \u201cuse sunrise and sunset times.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n And that\u2019s it! Now you\u2019ll be saving your eyes from unnecessary blue light when navigating your Xbox\u2019s dashboard and menus late at night.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The next feature you should learn to use once you\u2019ve set up your Xbox is the Quick Access Toolbar. I\u2019ve used this feature nearly every day since setting up my Xbox Series X, and I highly recommend using it to navigate a few of the system\u2019s key tools in a quicker fashion.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n To explore the Quick Access menu, press the Xbox button to open up the Guide. Once there, press Right Trigger (RT) to jump to the Quick Access toolbar, which includes user notifications, shortcuts to the Game Pass Library and Microsoft store, a search tool, and basic audio settings.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Throughout the last few years, Microsoft has made huge strides with its efforts in making video games accessible by more players. With the built-in accessibility options on the Xbox Series X, players can customize a flexible play experience by remapping controller bindings, using the Copilot feature to ostensibly turn two players into one, as well as by enabling aural and visual aids like narration, speech-to-text, and a screen magnifier tool. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n To find the accessibility menu, visit the Settings app, and then scroll down to the Ease of Access tab. Here you can fully test and explore the console\u2019s available accessibility tools. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve all downloaded lackluster video game companion apps in the past, and we\u2019ve all likely regretted it. However, I\u2019m here to tell you that the Xbox mobile app is fantastic, and it\u2019s essential to getting the most out of your experience with the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles. <\/span><\/span>The Xbox app allows users to queue Xbox downloads remotely, manage storage and game installations, communicate with Xbox Live Friends via message or voice, and navigate apps like Netflix without a controller. Depending on your home internet\u2019s network strength, the mobile app unlocks the ability to stream games to your phone via Remote Play, too.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in using the companion app to enable these convenient features, you can find it on the Apple App Store or Google Play.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Most folks know that Xbox Game Pass is a cost-effective method for exploring a plethora of video game experiences on Xbox and PC, but one of the service\u2019s subtler features are Game Pass Quests. In short, Quests allow you to earn redeemable Microsoft Reward Points for completing in-game activities like earning achievements or beating specific challenges. <\/span><\/span>The best part? You can redeem these points for Xbox Live subscription time, digital Xbox store gift cards, or you can even donate them to charities like the Special Olympics or The Trevor Project.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n To redeem rewards points that you\u2019ve earned through Game Pass Quests, open the pre-installed Microsoft Rewards app on your Xbox and then scroll over to the \u201cRedeem\u201d tab. Here you\u2019ll find a bevy of digital goods and services to exchange your points for.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n For more coverage of the Xbox Series X or Series S consoles, be sure to check out Game Informer’s Xbox Series X\/S Review<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nPins Are Now Groups<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nShare Button Features<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nDay \/ Night Screen Settings<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nQuick Access Toolbar<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nAccessibility Options<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nXbox Mobile App <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\nGame Pass Quests<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n