Updated 3 October 2026, 11:54
Xbox has wrapped up testing of one of its most talked-about recent features. Disc-to-Digital, which converts a physical game disc into a digital license, is no longer reserved for Xbox Insiders. Since September 30 it is open to every Xbox Series X and Xbox One owner who has the latest system update installed.
How Disc-to-Digital works
The idea is straightforward. You put a physical disc into the console and the system unlocks a digital license for that game. The license stays with you even after you pull the disc back out, so you can leave it in its case and still launch the title directly from the dashboard.
In most cases the license is claimed automatically the moment the disc is read, and an on-screen notification confirms it. If nothing appears, you can do it by hand:
- Highlight the game’s tile on the Xbox home screen.
- Press the start button on your controller.
- Choose the Claim digital license option.
If the title is part of Xbox Play Anywhere, claiming the license also unlocks access to the PC version of the game.
One disc, one license
Here comes the important catch. Each disc carries exactly one digital license, and that license is tied to a single console and account. Insert the same disc into another Xbox Series X or Xbox One and the license moves over to that account – the original owner loses the ability to play the game digitally. Worth keeping in mind if you lend discs to friends or pass them around a household.
You can check which licenses you still hold in the console settings, in the Revoked Digital Games section under Games & Apps. Microsoft also keeps a support page describing how the licensing works.
Which games are supported
Participation is decided by individual publishers, so the feature does not work universally across every title. That caused some confusion during testing: in early September Ubisoft took criticism because several popular Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed releases reportedly did not work with Disc-to-Digital. It turned out to be a timing issue – Ubisoft officially joined the program a few days later. SEGA has since been confirmed as a participant as well, while Bandai Namco and Square Enix titles are still missing.
During the Insider phase the program already covered more than 800 games. Microsoft has not published an official list of supported titles; an unofficial overview is maintained at XCT.live, which currently counts 1,583 compatible Xbox One and Xbox Series X games. Since the program is still young, more should be added over the coming months. One limitation is fixed, though: Disc-to-Digital applies only to Xbox One and Xbox Series games and does not cover original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles.
What it means for you
If your shelf is stacked with physical games, Disc-to-Digital removes the routine of swapping discs in and out. It is also a reason to think twice before handing a disc to someone else, because the license follows whichever console and account reads it last.
If your library leans more on subscriptions than on discs, our overview of Game Pass tiers explains what each level covers, and the current plans are listed on the official Xbox Game Pass page.
Where to go next
We covered the arrival of Mythic Achievements in a separate article, and if you are wondering whether the older console still holds up, we have a piece on the Xbox One today. Everything else lives in our Xbox news section.
FAQ
Xbox Series X and Xbox One. The console needs the latest system update installed.
No. Once the digital license has been claimed, you can play the game with the disc removed.
Each disc carries only one license, so it transfers to the other account and the original owner can no longer play that game digitally.
Highlight the game tile on the home screen, press the start button on your controller and select Claim digital license.
No. It depends on the publisher. Ubisoft and SEGA have joined the program, while Bandai Namco and Square Enix titles are still absent. An unofficial list currently counts 1,583 compatible games, and original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles are not included at all.