How to Use Xbox One Voice Commands

Control your Xbox One with your voice

By
Brad Stephenson
Brad Stephenson - Lifewire Writer
Brad Stephenson
Freelance Contributor
  • Western Sydney University
Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency.
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Updated on December 3, 2020

What to Know

  • Get a virtual assistant & Kinect sensor or headset/built-in mic. Then: System > Settings > General > Power mode & startup > Instant-on.
  • To set up virtual assistants: Xbox button > System > Settings > Devices & streaming > Digital assistants > Enable digital assistants.
  • Each assistant needs a different approach to launch, but assistants are easy to set up and use.

This article explains how to set up voice options on Xbox One X or S, with specific instructions for Google Assistant and Alexa, plus a list of voice commands you can use.

How to Get Virtual Assistants on Xbox One

Before you can connect a smart speaker, you'll need to enable digital assistants:

  1. From the Xbox One home screen, press the Xbox button on the controller.

  2. Go to System > Settings.

  3. Select Devices & streaming.

  4. Select Digital assistants.

  5. Select Enable digital assistants.

How to Use Google Assistant on Xbox One

To use Google Assistant with your Xbox, open the Google Home app on your iOS or Android device, then follow these steps:

  1. Tap the plus (+) in the upper-left corner.

  2. Tap Set up device.

  3. Tap Have something already set up?

    How to set up devices on the Google Home app

  4. Select your console and sign in with the Microsoft account you use on Xbox. Follow the instructions in the app to pair your Xbox One with your Google Assistant device.

How to Use Alexa on Xbox One

To use Alexa with your Xbox, enable the Alexa Xbox Skill and sign in with your Microsoft account. Follow the instructions in the Alexa app to control your console with voice commands.

Useful Xbox One Voice Commands

Below is a list of voice commands that the Xbox One supports. If you connected a smart speaker to your console, add Hey Alexa/Google, tell Xbox to before most of these commands. There are also additional Xbox One commands for virtual assistants:

  • Turn on my Xbox.
  • Xbox on.
  • Xbox off.
  • Reboot.
  • Take a screenshot.
  • Broadcast.
  • Stop broadcasting.
  • Record the last three minutes.
  • What is Gamertag / real name doing?
  • Is Gamertag / real name online?
  • Invite Gamertag / real name into a party.
  • Start a party with Gamertag / real name.
  • Send a message to Gamertag / real name.
  • Open app / game.
  • Go to app / game.
  • Snap app / game.
  • Unsnap.
  • Switch.
  • Change view.
  • Pause.
  • Play.
  • Rewind.
  • Fast forward.
  • Watch / go to TV.
  • Watch channel name.
  • Open OneGuide.
  • Volume up number.
  • Volume down number.
  • Mute.
  • Go home.
  • Go back.
  • Show / open menu.
  • Show / open guide.
  • Show / open notifications.
  • Go to my Friends List.
  • Sign in as Gamertag / name.
  • Sign out.
  • Search the store for app / game / TV show / movie.
  • Redeem a code.
  • Pair my device.
  • Select.
  • Make a selection.
  • Select mode.

Say stop listening after making a selection to let the console know you're done giving commands. Say What can I say? when you need app-specific help.

What Can You Do With Voice Commands on Xbox One?

Many tasks you can do with an Xbox controller can be executed with voice commands. Here are some examples of things you can do by talking to your gaming console:

  • Turn your Xbox One on and off.
  • Change your TV's volume.
  • Open an Xbox One app or video game.
  • Pause and play movies and TV shows.
  • Record videos of gameplay.
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