Xbox Play Anywhere, formerly Live Anywhere, is an ongoing initiative by Microsoft's division of Xbox to bring the cross-platform Xbox network (formerly Xbox Live) service to a wide variety of Microsoft platforms and devices, chiefly the Xbox Series XS, Windows 11, Xbox One, and Windows 10.
Platforms
PlatformService nameLaunchedDiscontinuedWindows 11Xbox networkOctober 5, 2021Xbox Series X/SXbox networkNovember 10, 2020 Windows 10 Xbox network July 29, 2015 Xbox One Xbox Live November 22, 2013 Windows 8 and 8.1 Xbox on Windows October 26, 2012Before May 8, 2023 Windows Phone, 10 Mobile Xbox on Windows Phone October 21, 2010Before October 8, 2017 Zune Zune Social September 16, 2008 September 4, 2011 Windows XP, Vista, 7 Games for Windows – Live May 22, 2007Before May 8, 2023 Xbox 360 Xbox Live November 22, 2005 July 29, 2024 Xbox Xbox Live November 15, 2001 April 15, 2010
Features Buy Once, Play Anywhere: Purchase a compatible digital game once and own it on both Xbox and Windows Cross-Progression: Game saves and progress sync automatically across devices Shared DLC: Downloadable content (DLC) and add-ons are shared between platforms Single identity (Gamertag) across all platforms (tied to a Microsoft account) Cross-platform chat, with text, voice, and video Unified friends list and message system Cross-platform multiplayer online gaming, including game invites
See also Microsoft Points Xbox Game Pass
References
External links List of Play Anywhere compatible Xbox digital games Archived 2025-08-07 ExtremeTech article describing Live Anywhere concept Video of a Live client running on a mobile device Original Xbox Live To Shut Down