Your Xbox Series X or S is packed with powerful features, but many of the most useful ones are buried in menus or turned off by default. Even seasoned players often miss these hidden gems that can save you money, improve performance, and transform your gaming experience. Here are the best hidden Xbox features you should start using today.
Quick Resume: Jump Between Games Instantly
Quick Resume is one of the most impressive features on Xbox Series X|S, yet many players don’t use it to its full potential. It allows you to suspend multiple games at once, so you can jump from Forza Horizon 5 to Halo Infinite without losing your place in either . Even if your console restarts, Quick Resume has your back. Once you get used to this feature, you will wonder how you ever gamed without it .
Save Money with Energy Saver Mode
A hidden setting on Xbox can help you save on electricity bills. ‘Instant On’ is a feature that has been switched on by default on many consoles, putting the console in standby mode for quicker activation . The alternative, known as Energy Saver mode, uses significantly less power when the Xbox is not in use . By shutting down the console fully, you can save up to 20 times as much power . This not only saves money but also keeps your console cooler during marathon sessions .
To change this: Settings > General > Power options and select Shutdown (energy saving) .
Customize Your Guide and Home Screen
You press the Xbox button countless times, but did you know you can customize that guide? You can access recent friends, achievements, messages, or even open specific apps straight from the guide . During competitive matches, this is invaluable. Instead of pausing and fumbling through menus, you can check messages or stats mid-game without breaking immersion .
Most people also stick with the default home screen. You can actually pin your favourite games, apps, and even specific modes right at the top . This saves you from endless scrolling and hunting for the game you want .
Powerful Accessibility Tools
Xbox offers some of the best accessibility features in gaming, and they go far beyond the obvious options . These settings are available at the platform level, meaning they affect both the console navigation and the games themselves .
Key accessibility settings include:
- Narrator: Reads text, buttons, and other elements on the screen .
- Magnifier: Enlarges screen contents for better visibility .
- High Contrast: Helps distinguish elements and text on the screen .
- Controller Button Remapping: Reconfigure individual buttons of the controller .
- Game and Chat Transcription: Converts in-game voice chat into readable text .
- Night Mode: Adjusts the amount of light coming from the console to reduce eye strain .
Colourblind modes can completely change how some players experience games, making them more inclusive and enjoyable .
Tweak Your Graphics Performance
If your games look “muddy, indistinct and mushed together,” your console’s HDR settings might be the culprit . Turning off the HDR function on the console can sometimes make a world of difference in performance . Many TVs don’t actually need the Xbox to tell them when to enable HDR .
To adjust: Settings > General > TV & Display Options > Video Modes . You can turn the HDR function off from here .
Secret Capture Options
Everyone knows you can take screenshots or record clips, but there is more to it. You can set the system to automatically capture the last 30 seconds of gameplay . If you are running HDR, it even grabs high-res shots . With the Xbox app on your phone, you can post straight to social media in seconds .
Storage Management Tricks
Modern games take up a huge amount of storage. Xbox has hidden storage tools that make life easier . You can move games between drives, see which ones you have not played in ages, and use cloud saves so nothing is ever lost . The system’s suggestions on what to move can free up a ton of space without you having to think about it .
Voice Commands
Even without a Kinect, the Xbox responds to voice commands . Saying “Record that” or “Open App” while in the middle of gameplay keeps you focused and saves hassle .
Break Reminders
It is easy to get immersed and forget about your health. Xbox’s break reminders feature can remind you to take a periodic break from gaming . This is available under Xbox settings > Preferences > Break reminder .
Customize Notifications
Your Xbox sends many notifications, which can block important gameplay or pop up during tense matches . Go to Xbox settings > Preferences > Notifications to customize them. You can change the position of these alerts, and the lower right corner is usually the most unobtrusive spot . You can also disable notifications completely .
Game Pass Perks You Might Miss
Game Pass is more than a library. Hidden perks, free DLC, in-game items, and trials for upcoming games often go unnoticed . Exploring the menu and linking accounts can unlock items for games like Destiny 2 or Sea of Thieves without spending a penny .
Cloud Gaming On the Go
Xbox Cloud Gaming is brilliant but underused . You can stream games like Minecraft or Halo Infinite on a tablet, phone, or low-spec PC . It makes your Xbox experience follow you, not the other way around .
Conclusion
Your Xbox is capable of far more than you might think. Take a few minutes to explore these settings—customise your Guide, tweak your power options, and try the accessibility tools. You will be amazed at how much smoother, personalised, and enjoyable your gaming sessions become. The console you thought you knew might just feel brand new .
