How to Set Up an Xbox Series X or S Using the App
When setting up an Xbox Series X or S, expect to download some system updates, and make sure you have either the Xbox app on your phone or keep your login information handy if you already have an Xbox account.
How to Set Up Your Xbox Series X or S Without a Phone
If you don’t want to use the Xbox phone app, you can still set up your Xbox Series X or S, it’s just a little more time-consuming. You will also need to manually log into the Microsoft account that’s associated with your Xbox account and manually log into your Wi-Fi network if you aren’t using ethernet, so make sure to have your passwords handy. Here’s how to set up an Xbox Series X or S without a phone:
Tips for a Successful Xbox Series X or S Setup
If you followed the previous instructions, your Xbox Series X or S is probably set up and ready to go. However, there are a lot of issues that can crop up, and things you can do to either make the setup process go more smoothly, or improve your gaming experience down the road. To improve your setup and gaming experience with your Xbox Series X or S, consider following these tips where they are applicable:
Perform the initial setup ahead of time if giving the Xbox Series X or S as a gift. If you’re giving the console to a child or teen as a birthday or holiday gift, consider doing the initial setup ahead of time. Nobody wants to sit around performing system updates when they could just jump right into a game. Choose your location wisely. You need to have your Xbox close to the television, but consider carefully the exact position. Avoid enclosed spaces, where your console may overheat, and where it won’t be able to receive a strong Wi-Fi signal. Place it in an area with good ventilation, and where there aren’t many obstructions between it and the router. Use the right television for your console. The Xbox Series S can only output 1440p, while the Xbox Series X is capable of full UHD 4K. Pairing the Series S with a high-end 4K television will have limited benefits, while using an old 1080p television with a Series X will waste its potential. Your old peripherals probably work. Own an Xbox One? Your old Xbox One controllers are also compatible with your Xbox Series X or S, so don’t get rid of them. Other peripherals aren’t guaranteed to work, but many do. Your old games work. The Xbox Series X and S both play Xbox One games, although you can’t play your physical discs on a Series S. Many of them have also been enhanced to look and play better. The Xbox Series X can also play a lot of your Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Think ahead about storage. The Xbox Series X has 1TB of storage, and the Series S has 500TB. The only official way to expand that is the 1TB expansion drive from Seagate. This expansion drive is expensive, but it’s also just as fast as the built-in drive. If you can stomach longer load times, consider buying a regular USB drive. Use a slower USB drive for media content. If you do end up connecting a regular USB drive, prioritize the Xbox Series X or S drive for your game content. If you download movies, apps, and other non-game content, that can go on the slower USB drive without as much of a noticeable impact. If a USB drive is too slow, you won’t be able to play games directly from that drive at all.
