Microsoft Ends Xbox Cloud Gaming Support for 2020 Samsung TVs

Microsoft has announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming will no longer be available on 2020 Samsung smart TVs starting November 3rd. The company attributed this decision to the inability of older TVs to support the necessary software updates required for the cloud gaming service. According to an email sent to affected users, the technology behind Xbox Cloud Gaming is no longer compatible with the operating system version found on these 2020 models.

To continue using Xbox Cloud Gaming, users with 2020 Samsung TVs will need to upgrade to 2021 models or newer. Alternatively, they can switch to other supported devices such as smartphones, tablets, or Xbox consoles. The Xbox support page specifies that only Samsung smart TVs from 2021 or later, running software version 1300 and higher, will be supported moving forward.

One key reason for this change is the software version disparity. The 2020 Samsung TVs run on Chromium 69, released in 2018, while the Xbox cloud gaming service requires Chromium 70. This incompatibility means that older TVs cannot receive the latest updates needed to support the service.

Microsoft has also recently raised the price of its existing gaming devices and introduced new limitations on Xbox cloud gaming, allowing only 15, 10, or 5 hours per month depending on the plan. Users have criticized these changes, arguing that the free playtime offered is insufficient.