Microsoft has updated its Xbox disc-to-digital licensing system, making the process more streamlined for players with supported physical games. Digital entitlement is now automatically granted when an eligible game disc is launched while the player is signed into their Xbox profile.
Under the updated system, the first digital entitlement is accompanied by a full-screen explanation informing players about the feature. Any additional digital entitlements are instead communicated through a notification, reducing the amount of interruption when claiming more games.
How Xbox Disc-To-Digital Works
When a supported game disc is launched, Xbox grants a digital licence for that game to the player’s Xbox profile. Once the licence has been unlocked, the game can be played without the physical disc on any Xbox console and across supported devices.
The digital licence remains linked to the physical disc used to claim it. Microsoft therefore advises players to keep possession of the game disc to ensure the digital licence remains in their library.
Microsoft previously introduced the feature to Xbox Insiders as a way to provide digital access to eligible Xbox One and Xbox Series X games owned on physical discs. Not every disc is supported, with eligibility depending on technical, licensing, publishing and manufacturing factors. Xbox 360 and original Xbox discs are also excluded from the system.
The feature allows owners of eligible physical games to retain access to their titles digitally without needing to keep the disc inserted each time they play.
