The March Xbox Update is Rolling Out
- Paul Thurrott
- Mar 09, 2021
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From what I can see, this one isn’t so much a single update for consoles as it is several updates across multiple Xbox platforms.
“Team Xbox is excited to continue bringing new ways to make Xbox even better with software updates designed to improve your Xbox gaming experience based on your feedback, including both delivering you new features and refining existing ones,” Microsoft’s Jonathan Hildebrandt writes. “This month’s release includes updates to the Xbox Accessories app in advance of the launch of the Xbox Wireless Headset, new toggles for FPS Boost and Auto HDR for backward compatible games, achievements returning to the Xbox app, and an improved game management experience.”
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Here’s what’s new.
FPS Boost and Auto HDR toggles for backward compatible games on Xbox Series X|S. New toggles for both FPS Boost and Auto HDR are available on Microsoft’s latest consoles. You can choose toggle Auto HDR and FPS Boost on or off in game settings when available.
Xbox Wireless Headset support on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows 10. The Xbox app on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows 10 is getting an Xbox Wireless Headset update ahead of the launch of the headset. “The app lets you fine-tune the audio controls for a customized audio experience, including equalizer settings, bass boost, auto-mute sensitivity, mic monitoring, and brightness of the mic’s mute light,” Hildebrandt says. “Best of all, the headset can stay updated with the latest features via wireless updates from your console, ensuring you’ll have a premium audio experience that continues to evolve.”
Achievements in Xbox app on mobile. Microsoft is bringing achievements back to the Xbox on mobile after getting a lot of feedback. The first update will provide a list of your achievements in the app along with an achievements details screen and achievement unlocked notifications. In the future, more achievements-related features, like leaderboards, will be coming back as well.
Xbox subscription management improvements on console. If you navigate to Settings > Account on supported Xbox consoles, you will find a new interface for managing your subscriptions. You can see important plan information, including last charge, next charge, end date, and more, and update credit card information.
No more TV listings in OneGuide on Xbox One. Beginning this May Microsoft is killing off live TV listings for OneGuide on Xbox One. “You can continue to use OneGuide to view your connected HDMI devices or USB TV tuner,” Hildebrant notes. “You can also keep using OneGuide for HDMI-passthrough and to watch TV via USB TV tuners, but you won’t be able to access the on-screen TV Listings guide.”
Game management improvements on console. Microsoft is improving the loading performance of the Manage screens in My games & apps, and making small improvements to the interface.