Gaming

Xbox homebrew via Developer Mode (Series S/X and One)

Microsoft has built a feature for developers on the Xbox One and Xbox Series S and X: Developer Mode. It lets you run custom apps and homebrew, without a jailbreak, without soldering, and without bypassing anything. You can always switch back to the normal Xbox.

What is it and what isn’t it?

  • Is: you can develop, test, and install apps (UWP packages), for example emulators and media players from the homebrew scene.
  • Isn’t: in Developer Mode you cannot run purchased (retail) games or apps from the Microsoft Store. For that, you switch back to normal mode.
  • Not a jailbreak: you don’t get full access to the operating system.

What do you need?

  • An Xbox One, One S, One X, Series S, or Series X.
  • A Microsoft developer account through Partner Center. Registration may involve costs; terms vary by account and region.
  • A computer and a network that both the computer and Xbox are connected to.

Enabling Developer Mode

These are the steps according to Microsoft’s documentation. Button names may vary by version.

  1. Search the Microsoft Store on your Xbox for Xbox Dev Mode and install the app.
  2. Launch the app and write down the activation code that appears.
  3. Register a developer account in Partner Center and log in.
  4. On your computer, go to the device activation page, enter the code, and confirm. You have a limited number of activations per account.
  5. Wait for the activation to complete, open the app again, and choose Switch and restart. Restarting takes longer than usual.

To switch back, open Dev Home and select Leave Dev Mode. The console will then restart as a regular Xbox.

Installing apps

When Developer Mode is enabled, it works roughly like this:

  1. Open Dev Home on the Xbox and enable Xbox Device Portal if needed.
  2. Write down the IP address and port that Dev Home shows.
  3. Open that address in the browser on your computer and log in with the credentials you set.
  4. Upload a compatible UWP package and any dependencies, and install it.
  5. Launch the app from Dev Home.

Not every Windows app works on an Xbox. An app must be compatible with the Xbox development environment.

What apps are available?

From the homebrew scene there are for example RetroArch (emulators for old game consoles) and Kodi (media player), and of course you can create and test your own UWP apps. Which version works on which Xbox varies. Check that with the project itself, and only use games you own.

The Series S and X are more powerful than the Xbox One generation, and therefore more attractive for emulators.

Resources and further reading

Official explanation from Microsoft: Xbox Developer Mode activation. This is an archived page; the steps may have changed since then.