Can You Play Xbox Game Pass on the ASUS ROG Ally? 9 Easy Ways to Get Started

The short answer: yes. ASUS ROG Ally runs Windows 11, so you can install the Xbox app, download PC Game Pass titles, use Xbox Cloud Gaming with Game Pass Ultimate, and even stream from your Xbox console—all with built‑in controls. Here are nine simple ways to get started fast.

1. Install the Xbox app on Windows 11 (the core step)

Download and install the Xbox app for Windows: https://www.xbox.com/apps/xbox-app-for-pc
Sign in with the Microsoft account tied to your Game Pass subscription.
From here you can browse, install, and launch PC Game Pass titles on your Ally.

Why it works: ROG Ally ships with Windows 11, so it runs the same Xbox app and PC games you’d use on any Windows PC. ASUS confirms Windows 11 on Ally on its product page: https://rog.asus.com/gaming-handhelds/rog-ally/

2. Pick the right Game Pass plan (PC Game Pass vs. Ultimate)

PC Game Pass lets you download and play PC catalog titles locally on the Ally.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes everything in PC Game Pass plus Xbox Cloud Gaming for instant play without installs.
Compare plans: https://www.xbox.com/xbox-game-pass
Cloud Gaming overview (requires Ultimate): https://www.xbox.com/cloud-gaming

Bonus: EA Play is included with PC Game Pass and Ultimate on PC, giving you a library of EA games and trials: https://www.xbox.com/ea-play

3. Install games locally for best performance (and set up offline play)

Use the Xbox app to download PC Game Pass titles to your Ally’s SSD (Settings > General > Game install options to choose your drive).
To play without an internet connection, set your device for offline play per Microsoft’s guide: https://support.xbox.com/help/games-apps/game-setup-and-play/play-games-offline-on-windows

Local installs deliver the smoothest experience and preserve battery compared to constant streaming.

4. Play instantly with Xbox Cloud Gaming (browser or app shortcut)

Go to https://www.xbox.com/play, sign in with your Ultimate account, and start playing supported titles instantly—no installs required.
For a console-like feel, install the site as an app (PWA) in Microsoft Edge for a full-screen launcher you can pin and map in your game library.
Check Microsoft’s cloud setup and network guidance for best results: https://support.xbox.com/help/games-apps/cloud-gaming/get-set-up-for-cloud-gaming

Cloud Gaming is great for quick trials, storage-limited setups, or when you’re docked on Ethernet.

5. Stream directly from your Xbox console with Remote Play

If you own an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One, you can stream your console to the Ally over your home network using the Xbox app on Windows.

Remote Play setup and requirements: https://support.xbox.com/help/games-apps/troubleshooting/xbox-remote-play

This is ideal for playing your console-installed games on the Ally without re-downloading them on PC.

6. Make it controller-first: Armoury Crate SE and launchers

Use Armoury Crate SE (preinstalled on Ally) to:
- Add the Xbox app and your Xbox Cloud Gaming PWA to the Game Library for quick, controller-friendly launching.
- Create per-game profiles and button mappings for titles that need tweaks.
ASUS highlights Armoury Crate SE and game library integration on the Ally product page: https://rog.asus.com/gaming-handhelds/rog-ally/
Optional: Add the Xbox app and Cloud Gaming PWA to Steam as “Non‑Steam” games so you can launch everything from Big Picture Mode with controller navigation. How-to: https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/5F9A-1ADA-90D6-7C3B

7. Tune power modes for battery life vs. performance

Switch Ally’s performance modes (Silent/Performance/Turbo) in Armoury Crate SE to match the game and your battery goals.
Higher performance modes boost frame rates; lower modes extend battery life. ASUS documents performance modes for Ally on its product page: https://rog.asus.com/gaming-handhelds/rog-ally/

Tip: Cap frame rates in-game, lower resolution, or use in-game FSR/XeSS where available to strike a good handheld balance.

8. Expand storage with a microSD card for more Game Pass installs

If your internal SSD is tight, add a microSD card and point Xbox app installs to that drive (Settings > General > Game install options).
ASUS lists expandable storage via microSD on the Ally page: https://rog.asus.com/gaming-handhelds/rog-ally/

Choose a fast, reputable microSD card to minimize load times when installing games there.

9. Go docked for comfort—and rock-solid streaming

Use a USB‑C hub or dock to connect HDMI for a TV/monitor, USB for peripherals, and Ethernet for low-latency cloud gaming.
Microsoft recommends a stable, high-bandwidth connection for Cloud Gaming; wired Ethernet and 5 GHz Wi‑Fi are preferred: https://support.xbox.com/help/games-apps/cloud-gaming/get-set-up-for-cloud-gaming

This setup turns the Ally into a living-room Game Pass machine with minimal hassle.

Key takeaways

Yes, Game Pass works great on ROG Ally because it’s a Windows 11 handheld (ASUS: https://rog.asus.com/gaming-handhelds/rog-ally/).
Install the Xbox app for PC downloads, get Ultimate for cloud play, and use Remote Play for your console library.
Armoury Crate SE, storage expansion, and smart power profiles make the Ally a flexible Game Pass companion on the go or docked.