How much data does xCloud Xbox game streaming use?

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 03 December 2020

Pixel 5 with xCloud and Xbox One controller

Project xCloud, Microsoft's cloud game streaming service, is finally available in Australia - well, in preview. For those not familiar with it, xCloud lets you stream Xbox titles such as Forza Horizon 4, Devil May Cry 5, and Destiny 2 to an Android smartphone without the need for a console. The game is run on a server remotely, and beamed to your phone in the same way a show on Netflix is.

Of course, streaming Netflix on the go is one of the most data thirsty things you can do on your phone, so it would make sense if streaming a game would be too. Especially given the interactive elements. So exactly how much data does xCloud Xbox game streaming use?

In our testing, we found it would use about 3GB per hour, no matter what title we played. For comparison, Netflix's automatic mode on mobile only uses 250MB per hour. That's twelve times more data.

Here is the breakdown of individual data usage for a couple of games we tested:

xCloud data usage

Game	Data Usage Per Hour
Devil May Cry 5	2,952MB
Minecraft Dungeons	3,102MB
Ori and the Will of the Wisps	2,940MB

We tested these via 5G Telstra connection on a Pixel 5. Impressively, every game was as smooth and as responsive as if we were playing it on an actual Xbox. We experienced some minor audio hitches, but otherwise, it was hard to tell the game was running on someone else's computer, rather than on the phone itself.

The best mobile plans for xCloud

Even using xCloud streaming over a mobile connection for a couple of hours could be enough to put a dent in your download. Four hours in a month would burn through around 12GB. If you're thinking about using xCloud regularly, we'd recommend a mobile plan with at least 50GB. Here are a few popular options:

#1	Optus	Optus 100GB Data No Contract $39/mth Min. cost $39 Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply.	100%	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone 65GB Data No Contract $45/mth Min. cost $45 Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply.	52%	Go to Site
#3	Dodo	Dodo 80GB Data No Contract $40/mth Min. cost $20 Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Large Mobile Plan for $20/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10	50%	Go to Site
#4	Pivotel	Pivotel 80GB Data No Contract $22.50/mth Min. cost $22.50 Deal: Incl. 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply.	38%	Go to Site
#5	SpinTel	SpinTel 50GB Data No Contract $29/mth Min. cost $29	37%	Go to Site
#6	Swoop	Swoop 60GB Data No Contract $23/mth Min. cost $23 Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $23/mth for first 6 months then $33/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.2027	31%	Go to Site
#7	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 50GB Data No Contract $36/mth Min. cost $18 Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $18/mth for 4 months then $36/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.	23%	Go to Site

How do I get access to xCloud?

xCloud is currently only available in preview in Australia. If you'd like a shot at trying it out ahead of its official launch, you need to sign-in with your Microsoft account and register here. If you get in, you'll need to download the Xbox Game Streaming app.

You'll need an Android smartphone as xCloud currently isn't available for iPhones.

When xCloud launches officially - expected in 2021 - it will be bundled in as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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