Code uncovered in a recent Android build of the Xbox Game Pass app suggests Microsoft may be preparing official support for Android TV devices, according to researchers who inspected the APK.
What the APK reveals
A Reddit user, /el_gonz87, examined the updated Xbox Game Pass APK and identified a banner associated with Android TV, the television operating system developed by Google. That find suggests Microsoft could be working on bringing the cloud gaming service to smart TVs running Android TV at some point in the future.
Current situation and limitations
Microsoft and the Xbox brand have not officially confirmed Android TV support. At present, Xbox Game Pass is not listed in the Android TV app store.
While it is possible to run the Android version of Game Pass on some TVs using third-party devices such as Chromecast with Google TV or NVIDIA SHIELD, those approaches are not officially supported and may require sideloading, code modifications or non-licensed workarounds.
Why smart TV support matters
As cloud gaming expands across smartphones, PCs, tablets, notebooks and web browsers, adding native smart TV support would extend Game Pass’s reach to living-room screens. The potential move would also follow Google’s recent inclusion of its Stadia streaming service on TVs, positioning television platforms as a contested area for cloud game providers.
Responses and sources
The app’s apparent Android TV references were reported by tech outlets that analyzed the APK. When contacted, Microsoft declined to comment on the matter.
Sources: 9to5Google and Android Authority
