Elevate Your Xbox Experience in 2026

Xbox consoles are evolving beyond just gaming, becoming versatile multimedia centers. Since the Xbox Store merged with the Microsoft Store in 2018, accessing a wider range of applications has become simpler. With over two million new Xbox consoles sold in the past year, bringing lifetime sales to over 34 million, the demand for expanded functionality is clear. Here are five must-have apps to enhance your Xbox in 2026.

1. Spotify: Background Music for Gaming

Enjoy your favorite music and podcasts while gaming with the Spotify app. It allows you to access all your playlists and the platform’s extensive library. Spotify uniquely supports background listening on Xbox, ensuring uninterrupted audio even during intense gameplay.

Other music apps like Apple Music, Pandora, and Amazon Music also offer background playback, but Spotify’s vast content library remains a key advantage.

2. TrueAchievements: Track Your Gaming Mastery

For dedicated gamers, TrueAchievements is an indispensable companion app. It helps you track your achievement progress, boosting your gamer score and showcasing your skills. The app provides statistics, tips, and a community to compare accomplishments with other players.

Unlock Achievements with Ease

TrueAchievements is available for free, though it is ad-supported. Users can also find guides and video walkthroughs to help unlock challenging achievements directly within the app, enhancing immersion and gameplay.

3. Fubo: Affordable Sports Streaming

Fubo is a live TV streaming service that stands out for its affordability and focus on sports content. Plans start at $5.99/month, offering access to channels like NFL, NBA, MLB, and NASCAR. More comprehensive plans with 214 channels are available for $48.99/month.

Compared to services like Hulu + Live TV, which start at $89.99/month, Fubo provides excellent value for sports enthusiasts. Fubo also offers dedicated Latino TV and FOX Nation entertainment plans.

4. YouTube: Big Screen Entertainment

YouTube has become a primary platform for watching videos, surpassing mobile in total watch time, according to YouTube’s CEO. The YouTube app on Xbox Series X and S leverages the console’s 4K capabilities and digital assistant compatibility for a high-quality viewing experience.

Continuous Improvements

YouTube consistently improves its Xbox app, recently separating Shorts and long-form videos for better organization. This commitment to console support makes it a desirable app compared to platforms that may neglect their console presence.

5. VLC Media Player: Play Virtually Any File

The VLC Media Player, formerly known as VideoLAN Client, is a versatile, open-source media player capable of playing “virtually all video and audio formats.” Available for free since 2016, it allows you to enjoy your personal media library directly on your Xbox.

While it doesn’t support DVD or Blu-ray formats, VLC is ideal for those with extensive digital media collections, making it a top app to download for your Xbox.