The Xbox One lineup of consoles traditionally brings gaming and entertainment to your living room TV, but there's long been a way to stream video and audio to a Windows 10 PC. For Mac users, this was always a bit of a sore spot, as there wasn't a quality solution to do the same thing. That's all changed with the arrival of OneCast, a macOS app (regularly $20 but currently on sale for $10) that is designed specifically for streaming your Xbox One to your Mac. Whether you need to share the TV or you'd like to get a little gaming in while people think you're working, let's take a look at the setup process and my opinion on how well it actually works.

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A few words of warning

OneCast isn't an official product of Microsoft, and there's rumbling in a few forums that it could at any time disappear if, say, a cease-and-desist order comes through. This might not ever happen, so if you don't mind risking the one-time fee you pay for OneCast, let's proceed.

What you need before using OneCast

OneCast is an app available for Android, macOS and iOS that streams your Xbox One games to any supported device, in high definition video with near-zero lag.

Before you get started with this process, there are a few boxes to check to ensure you can actually use OneCast to stream Xbox games to your Mac.

You will need:

• A Mac running macOS 10.10 Yosemite or newer.
• An Xbox One (including S and X).
• A router connected to both your Mac and Xbox One.

You will benefit from:

• A wired connection from your Xbox One to your router using an Ethernet cable.
• A wireless connection using the 5GHz band (if available) to your Mac.

How to enable game streaming on Xbox One

Before your Xbox One can stream games to your Mac, you must first enable the game streaming option. Here's how to do it.

1. Hit the Xbox button on your controller.
2. Navigate to the Settings tab. It looks like a gear.

3. Select Settings.

4. Select Preferences.

5. Select Xbox app connectivity.

6. Select Only from profiles signed in on this Xbox.

7. Select Allow game streaming to other devices.

How to set up and use OneCast

With your Xbox One running, connected to your network, and set up for game streaming, it's time to deal with OneCast on your Mac.

1. Navigate to the OneCast website.

2. Click Free Trial or Buy now. In this case, we will take advantage of the 14-day trial to see how well it works. You can add a license key later to unlock the full version.

3. Click Click here. The download will begin.

4. Click OneCast.dmg. The app will be unpacked.

5. Click and drag the OneCast app into the Applications folder. It will now install.

6. Click Launchpad.

7. Click OneCast to launch the app.

8. Click Register Xbox One. OneCast will scan for your Xbox.

9. Click OK. A browser window will open asking you to sign into your Xbox Live account.

10. Sign into your Microsoft account using the same credentials as you used on your Xbox One. The browser window will automatically close and you'll be returned to the OneCast app.

11. Click Continue.

12. Click Connect.

A new window will now open that contains the stream from your Xbox One. By default, it will go fullscreen, but hitting esc on your keyboard will knock it back to a window. From there you can change the size by clicking and dragging the borders, or you can return to fullscreen by hitting the green Maximize button in the top-left corner of the window. If you'd like to stop the stream, just hit the red Close button, also in the top-left corner of the window.

How to change gamertags

If there's more than one profile associated with the Xbox One, you can easily swap between them right from the OneCast app. From here, you can also change a few settings before enabling the stream.

1. Click the dropdown menu.
2. Click a profile. In this case, there's only one because there's only one profile associated with the Xbox.

3. Click the dropdown arrow.

4. Click the dropdown menu next to Video quality.

5. Click a quality. You can test out what works best for you based on your internet speed and connection quality.

The Manual local IP address and WAN network host options can be ignored unless you plan on trying out remote play with OneCast.

Play Xbox One On Mac

How to connect your Xbox One controller to your Mac

OneCast works just fine if you have your Xbox controller connected straight to your Xbox One. You can continue using your headset plugged into the controller, and you'll receive haptic feedback.

If, however, you're too far away from your Xbox One for a solid controller connection — whether trying out remote play or in a far corner of your home — you can connect the Xbox controller straight to your Mac with either Bluetooth or a USB connection. If you indeed go with this option, keep in mind that a headset plugged into the controller will lose the use of its microphone and you also won't get any haptic feedback.

For Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controllers, you can connect as you would any other Bluetooth device. Click the Bluetooth icon in the top-right corner of your Mac and choose the controller from the list.

For controllers that connect with USB, you must install an Xbox controller driver. Luckily, it's included with OneCast and only takes a second to install.

1. Click Controller.

2. Click Install the Xbox One controller USB driver.

3. Click Continue.

4. Click Continue.

5. Click Continue.

6. Click Install.

Testing and my opinion of OneCast

I initially tested OneCast using a regular Xbox One connected to my router with an Ethernet cable, and a late-2015 iMac (Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, AMD Radeon R9) running macOS Sierra 10.12.6 and connected to my router on the 5GHz band. Both the Xbox One and iMac were in my office, located about 30 feet away from the router, and I chose the Very High video quality option before launching.

With Cuphead, a game that requires precision movements and perfect timing, I noticed virtually no latency issues. I felt like I was playing the game with the Xbox One connected to my TV, and I was just as good (bad) at the game here as I am with a regular setup.

Using the same hardware I ran a second test, this time with my Xbox One using a wireless 5GHz connection rather than a wired connection. The iMac also stayed on the wireless connection, and I again tried out Cuphead with the Very High video quality setting. This time the fact that I was streaming was a bit more noticeable, but the game remained entirely playable.

For a final test, I ran Titanfall 2 multiplayer with both devices using wireless connections. This time there was some noticeable latency, and when I tested again with a wired connection to the Xbox One, the same issues appeared, though slightly less evident. This was no doubt due to the Xbox One having to deal with the game's multiplayer connection as well as the connection to my Mac. The fact that the game requires a bit more power to run than Cuphead likely has something to do with it as well.

The bottom line here? OneCast works as well as the Windows 10 streaming equivalent but still suffers from some of the same issues. Multiplayer games that require precision — like most racing games and first-person shooters — can be played but might ultimately cause frustration, but otherwise, you should be satisfied with what OneCast offers.

Using OneCast over the open internet

Xbox One Game Streaming To Mac

Using OneCast locally with your Xbox One and Mac connected to your router is one thing, but connecting when you're away from home over the internet is entirely different. It is possible, but OneCast doesn't recommend it and I wasn't able to test it.

Xbox One Game Streaming Mac To Download

The process involves a bunch of extra steps that, honestly, don't sound like they're worth it. Even OneCast says that the hit to performance will likely make your games unplayable. The in-app manual has a bunch more information about using OneCast over the open internet if you wish to give this method a shot.

Have you tried OneCast?

Have you had a chance to test out OneCast? Which games did you try, and how did they work on wired vs. wireless connections? Be sure to let us know in the comments section!

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Hi Parallels fans – my name is Megan, and I’m the Social Media Community Manager for Parallels, and I am SUPER excited to talk about streaming Xbox One games to your Mac via Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac! I am a gamer at heart, and as much as I’d like to game on my Mac, Macs are just not yet the ultimate gaming machines (despite our ongoing efforts here at Parallels). So at home, I have a number of rigs and consoles – one of my favorites being the Xbox One. When Microsoft announced that the Xbox Ones were upgrading to Windows 10, AND they were implementing a streaming option on a local network from Xbox One to Windows 10 PC, I was curious, but it didn’t pique my interests. It wasn’t until I found a Parallels user on Reddit talking about streaming to their Mac via a Windows 10 virtual machine that I got really excited!

Streaming from Xbox One to Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac

To get started, you’ll need to adjust your settings in your Xbox One. If you haven’t yet, go into your settings and check that your Xbox One can stream to other devices. (Video below!)

Once your Xbox One is prepared to stream, go to your Mac and start your Windows 10 virtual machine in Parallels Desktop for Mac.

Xbox One Game Streaming Mac To Pc

When you go to the start menu for Windows 10, Click on the green Xbox One app.

Once in the app click on the bottom left (second from the bottom) icon for devices, and then add your device. Keep in mind, for this to work your Mac and your Xbox One have to both be on the same network. (If you’re lucky, Windows 10 will already have found your Xbox One on the same network. If not, you’ll need to add the IP Address your Xbox One is on.)

You’ll need your Xbox One controller connected to your Mac – so either plug in the micro USB cable to your Mac, or invest in one of the new Xbox One blue tooth controllers! When your Mac recognizes your Xbox One and that you have a controller connected, you are all good to go!

Xbox One Game Streaming Mac

I think I know what you’re going to ask…

I know the first question is going to be Why would I want to go from my 32″ television thats connected to my Xbox One, to my 15″ MacBook Pro?

Fair question. Let me ask, have you ever wanted to play one of your Xbox One games that’s in the living room, while lying in bed? Do you argue with your roommates about who gets to play the Xbox One of the PS4 on the big TV each night? Have you wanted to play one of your Xbox One games, but it might not be appropriate for the kids to watch while playing in the living room? This streaming option is a great solution to all of these problems!

It’s obvious that if you’re streaming to a Macbook thats mobile, then you can take your Xbox One games as far as your Wi-Fi will let you. (My personal favorite is lazy weekends when I want to stay in bed and stream to my Mac) The other questions I posed are really more about playing your Xbox One when the TV isn’t going to be available. This is the option that has been a life saver in my house and marriage since we argue over who is gaming at what time. Since the PC gaming rig is connected to the same TV that the Xbox One is, my husband and I have butted heads about who gets to play. But now, try this! Turn on the TV and the Xbox One and then connect to stream to your Windows 10 Virtual Machine via Parallels Desktop for Mac. Then, while keeping the Xbox One powered on, change the input on the TV to (in our case) the PC gaming rig, and now we’re both playing!

Xbox Game Streaming Mac

I’ve streamed to my Mac puzzle games like Tumblestone (I hope you picked it up when it was free with Xbox Gold – great puzzle game!) as well as high graphic games like Halo 5 and Fallout 4. Here is the fine print you’re going to need to know streaming to your Parallels Desktop for Mac Windows 10 virtual machine: It’s not the virtualization that will slow you down, the real kicker is how fast your network speed it. If you are streaming wirelessly to your Macbook Air, you’re going to find a lot of lag between you and your Xbox. Our recommendation is to hard wire both Xbox One, and your Mac.

Xbox One Game List

I’ve listened to all our customers on twitter, I know gaming is really important to you. (Me too!) I really hope streaming from your Xbox One to your Mac gets you a little more gaming time in your day. Commend below and let me know what you’re playing! Me and a few of the Parallels team here in Seattle are always looking for what new game we should be trying out!