Console gaming is awesome, but sometimes you just can't get the TV to yourself. One option is to move the console to another room; another is to stream the games to your PC, laptop, TV, or mobile device.
Didn't you know you could do this? Well, you can do it by streaming games over your home network. Here's everything you need to know to be able to play PC and console games on a variety of other devices around your home.
The great thing about streaming games to other devices is that you're not limited to one location. Streaming to a laptop lets you play your favorite console games in comfort, away from the family gathering around the TV to watch soap operas. Which means no more unplugging or moving the console around.
If you want to stream games over your network, from one device to another, you have the following five options:
Let's take a look at each of these options in turn.
If you want to have a gaming session but can't get close to your TV, the solution is to play your Xbox games on your Windows 10 PC.
This is made possible by the Xbox Live app in Windows 10, which allows you to stream any game from your Xbox library to your PC (the game disc must be inserted where available).
Meanwhile, there's also Xbox Play Anywhere, which lets you play Xbox One games on your PC or Xbox One console. It features play continuity, which means progress on one device is retained when you start playing on the other. other.
As long as the game supports Xbox Play Anywhere (which is usually highlighted on the game disc box), it can be activated on Windows 10 or Xbox One and launched on any platform.
See our Xbox Play Anywhere guide. Xbox Play Anywhere brings console titles to your Windows 10 PC Xbox Play Anywhere brings console titles to your Windows 10 PC Xbox One titles are coming to Windows 10 courtesy of the Xbox Play Anywhere service! Find out how it works, what games you can buy, and what the future holds for Xbox and Windows. Read further for more details. Both solutions work best with wired connectivity, through the router. Note that if this is an issue, you should consider a powerline network solution. The 5 best powerline adapters for your home network. Here are the best models you can pick up today. Read more.
What if you have a PlayStation 4 and you want to play on it while your family gets together to watch a movie you've already seen? The answer is pretty similar, and this time it's suitable not only for Windows 10, but also for Windows 8.1 and a Mac (running OS X Yosemite or macOS El Capitan).
To do this, you'll need a computer running an Intel Core i5 CPU at 2.67 GHz or faster, with at least 2 GB of RAM. You'll also need a spare USB port to connect your Dualshock 4 controller to. Again, the solution requires a reliable and fast connection to your router for both devices, preferably over Ethernet.
This solution also requires the PS4 Remote Play app, which you need to download and install on your Windows or Mac computer.
Our guide to PS4 Remote Play on Windows and Mac. PS4 games on your Mac or Windows PC. Remote Play Play game on your Mac or Windows PC. RemotePlay. Sony has just released an update that allows you to play PlayStation 4 Mac or Windows PC games. This is how you can set it up! Reading more will show you how to set this up. Note that not all titles support remote playback, so to find out if yours does, check the back of the boxes.
You are not limited to one computer if you want to stream PS4 games to another device. Thanks to an app for Sony Xperia phones that has since been ported to other devices, you can now stream your favorite PlayStation 4 games to your Android device.
There is no need to kick your family out of the living room. There is no need to avoid sunlight when you want to play; just use the PS4 Remote Play app (linked to in the “How to play PlayStation 4 games on a PC” section above), connect a Dualshock 4 controller via Bluetooth, then sit back and enjoy!
What if you want to stream games from a PC to your TV?
Maybe you own a powerful gaming PC and want to enjoy it on the big screen TV in your living room. Maybe you have a few friends around you, and instead of cramming everyone into your office, you opt to play games on the main TV. It's not practical to move the entire PC into the room, so streaming is the best alternative.
If you're using Steam to manage your PC game library, you can use a Steam link to stream games How to set up your Steam link for PC games on your TV How to set up your Steam link for PC games on your TV The Steam Link allows you to stream your PC games to a TV for a better gaming experience. Here's everything you need to know to set up your new Steam link. Read More
This feature is built into the Steam client, and once a Steam Link mailbox is connected to your network (directly to the router via Ethernet for best results), you can use it to play games on your TV. Better yet, the Steam Link includes USB and Bluetooth ports for connecting game controllers.
In the meantime, you shouldn't feel limited to Steam games. Buy a Raspberry Pi and install Parsec, and you can stream any PC game to any TV in your house How to stream any PC game to TV with a Raspberry Pi How to stream any PC game to TV with a Raspberry Pi To stream just PC games Steam from PC to TV. With a Raspberry Pi, you can stream ANY game installed on your computer, without worrying about Steam Link! Read more.
Now it's possible to stream your favorite PC games from your Steam library to your phone, tablet, or even your Android TV box.
Thanks to the free Steam Link app on Google Play, you can play PC games and control them with any Bluetooth controller that can be paired with your tablet.
Check out our guide to setting up Steam Link on Android How to Play Steam Games on Android Using Steam Link How to Play Steam Games on Android Using Steam Link Want to play your Steam PC games on your Android phone? Now you can, thanks to Steam Link on Android. Here is how to start streaming games. Read more . (iOS support is expected at a later date). For best results, use the 5 GHz band of your router. If this is not possible, make sure the PC hosting your Steam library is connected to the router via Ethernet.
It doesn't matter where you are in the house. No matter what game console you're using, you now have the option to enjoy your games in any room, and even outdoors.
Do you want to go the other way? Learn how to play Android games on your PC How to play Android games on your PC How to play Android games on your PC Playing a game on your Android phone or tablet? Do you want to continue playing when you sit at your computer? You're lucky! This is how you can do it! Read more !
