Xbox One – Interesting Secret Features, 7 Tips And Tricks You Should Know
The Xbox One offers you many cool features that can make gaming more accessible or more enjoyable for you. But not all of them are immediately apparent. Some are almost hidden. Here are seven tips and tricks for your Xbox console.
Switch off the controller.
You can turn off your controller in seconds with a single key combination. The console remains on regardless. For example, if you start a movie and want to save the battery, you can easily do that.
That’s how it’s done:
- Press the Xbox button twice
- Hold the button longer the second time
- After a few seconds, the controller turns off
So if you’re sure you won’t need a controller any time soon, you don’t need to waste valuable runtime while leaving it turned on for many minutes.
You can change the critical assignment of the buttons.
And we continue straight away with another tip for the Xbox One controller. All buttons can be redistributed for that and a lot more. So, regardless of a game’s options menu, you can tinker with the perfect keybinding.
That’s how it’s done:
- Go to Kinect & Devices in Settings
- Select the 2nd item Devices & accessories
- Here you can redistribute each button
For example, if you want to swap the left and right analog sticks, you can do that. You can change other buttons, turn vibration on and off, or invert the analog sticks.
Watch out! For example, if you swap two buttons, all games will still show you the original layout in the interface. So you have to remember which button you put where.
- Use your smartphone as a remote control & keyboard.
As long as you have a smartphone, you can use it to operate your Xbox One. This also includes the use of the keyboard. After all, it’s much easier to type on a cell phone than to select all the letters with a controller.
That’s how it’s done:
- Download the free Xbox app for iOS or Android
- Sign up
- Console and smartphone must be in the same WLAN
- Connects both devices
Now you can use your smartphone to control the console and the keyboard. You can also set the two devices to connect automatically once they are on the same network.
Turn off autoplay for BluRays.
You want to watch a film and insert the DVD or BluRay disc. Seconds later, the first logo of a production studio is already booming through your living room because the Xbox One starts up automatically.
You wanted to get something to drink, or you just put the film in but want to watch it later.This cannot be very pleasant sometimes, but the console settings can help. You can turn off the drive’s autoplay feature and then have to select a disc for it to play manually.
That’s how it’s done:
- Go to Disk & BluRay in Settings
- Remove the corresponding tick under “Disk.”
Now you can decide for yourself when a film or game should start and when you would rather have some rest before it starts.
- Secret keyboard shortcuts
You can enter some combinations via the Xbox One controller, some of which are not prominently advertised by the console. We summarize three of them for you under this point.
Here are a few examples:
- RT + LT + Y = Here you update your dashboard
- XBOX (hold) + X = your screen saver will turn on
- L3 + X = The “Ready to install” page now also shows you hidden games
The menu at item 4 shows you, for example, when you installed a game, how long it has been since the last update, whether it is Xbox One X-optimized, and much more.
You can connect the mouse and keyboard to Xbox One.
It may be worth connecting a mouse and keyboard if you type a lot or use your Xbox One at a desk. This usually works with any standard USB mouse or USB keyboard.
All you have to do is connect the two input devices to your console. The Xbox should automatically detect and configure both. You can find a list of possible keyboard commands on the Microsoft support page.
No Unfair Advantage: Don’t expect to be able to play every game with a mouse and keyboard right now. The respective developers must release this feature for their title. So you don’t automatically get a playful advantage in multiplayer shooters or the like. It can still be significantly easier to use.
The Xbox One can turn on the TV and audio system.
Mainly if you use your console regularly, it cannot be charming to turn on the Xbox, the TV, and maybe even an audio system individually. But that doesn’t have to be the case because the One can turn on the two additional devices as soon as it starts.
That’s how it’s done:
- Go to “TV & OneGuide” in the settings
- Select the second item, “Device control.”
- Let the Xbox search for your TV
- If successful, you can select and set “Power Settings.”
- Do the same for your audio receiver.
If everything goes well, the Xbox can now turn the other two devices on and off. So you don’t have to operate everything individually, which can save you not only time but also nerves. Unfortunately, this feature does not work with all TVs.
Turn off autoplay for BluRays.
You want to watch a film and insert the DVD or BluRay disc. Seconds later, the first logo of a production studio is already booming through your living room because the Xbox One starts up automatically. You wanted to get something to drink, or you just put the film in but want to watch it later.
This cannot be very pleasant sometimes, but the console settings can help. You can turn off the drive’s autoplay feature and then have to select a disc for it to play manually.
That’s how it’s done:
- Go to Disk & BluRay in Settings
- Remove the corresponding tick under “Disk.”
Now you can decide for yourself when a film or game should start and when you would rather have some rest before it starts.
- Secret keyboard shortcuts
You can enter some combinations via the Xbox One controller, some of which are not prominently advertised by the console. We summarize three of them for you under this point.
Here are a few examples:
- RT + LT + Y = Here you update your dashboard
- XBOX (hold) + X = your screen saver will turn on
- L3 + X = The “Ready to install” page now also shows you hidden games
The menu at item 4 shows you, for example, when you installed a game, how long it has been since the last update, whether it is Xbox One X-optimized, and much more.
You can connect the mouse and keyboard to Xbox.
It may be worth connecting a mouse and keyboard if you type a lot or use your Xbox One at a desk. This usually works with any standard USB mouse or USB keyboard.
All you have to do is connect the two input devices to your console. The Xbox should automatically detect and configure both. You can find a list of possible keyboard commands on the Microsoft support page.
No Unfair Advantage: Don’t expect to be able to play every game with a mouse and keyboard right now. The respective developers must release this feature for their title. So you don’t automatically get a playful advantage in multiplayer shooters or the like. It can still be significantly easier to use.
The Xbox One can turn on the TV and audio system.
Mainly if you use your console regularly, it cannot be charming to turn on the Xbox, the TV, and maybe even an audio system individually. But that doesn’t have to be the case because the One can turn on the two additional devices as soon as it starts.
That’s how it’s done:
- Go to “TV & OneGuide” in the settings
- Select the second item, “Device control.”
- Let the Xbox search for your TV
- If successful, you can select and set “Power Settings.”
- Do the same for your audio receiver.
If everything goes well, the Xbox can now turn the other two devices on and off. So you don’t have to operate everything individually, which can save you not only time but also nerves. Unfortunately, this feature does not work with all TVs.
