Microsoft is rolling out a sizable update for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X today, six months after the handhelds first launched alongside ASUS and AMD. The headline feature is a much-improved docked play experience, which has been one of the bigger pain points for users who wanted to use these handhelds as primary Xbox-style devices on a TV. There are also new features rolling out for handheld play, audio, controllers, and library management, along with a preview of Auto Super Resolution for Xbox Insiders.
When the ROG Xbox Ally X launches into a docked state now, gameplay automatically moves to the TV and the handheld display turns off, which delivers a cleaner, console-style experience. Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and Vizio will automatically enable built-in gaming features like Auto Low Latency Mode, Auto Game Mode, or Game/PC Mode. The ROG Bulwark Dock and ROG 100W Charger Dock both support HDR10, with the Bulwark Dock additionally unlocking Variable Refresh Rate. Microsoft says it’ll extend support to additional Designed for Xbox docks over time. The Game Bar also gets a new Display Widget that lets you adjust resolution, refresh rate, and projection mode without leaving your game, all controllable from the gamepad.
Controller pairing has been streamlined for docked play as well. When you connect an Xbox or Designed for Xbox controller, the built-in controls on the docked Ally are automatically disabled, which Microsoft says unlocks docked play for a wider range of games, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Switching back to handheld play is as simple as disconnecting the controller. Microsoft notes that pairing your controller before docking gives you the smoothest experience. There’s also a new Gamepad Cursor feature that’s rolling out via Game Bar update to all Windows 11 PCs, allowing controller navigation in apps that don’t natively support it, like web browsers and music streaming services.
For Xbox Insiders specifically, Auto Super Resolution is now available in preview on the ROG Xbox Ally X. The feature is meant to deliver 1440p-like detail with smooth framerates when docked to an external display, and Game Bar integration lets you control when it’s applied per game. The audio side gets an upgrade too, with Bluetooth LE Audio on the Ally handhelds now supporting super wideband stereo voice fidelity, meaning you can hear high-fidelity stereo audio while still using the microphone in party chat. The Xbox Wireless Headset supports this if it’s been updated. Vibration feedback has also been refined for a fuller, more refined haptic experience that better matches what’s available on the rest of the Xbox lineup.
Library management on the Xbox PC app has also been overhauled. Rolling out this month, you can add, remove, edit, and launch any installed game or app from across PC storefronts directly from the Xbox experience. A new “+” button in the library lets you add custom games and apps, with options to personalize names, images, launch targets, and command-line options. Removing them from the library doesn’t affect the original game or app on disk.
Lastly, Microsoft is continuing to expand support for Handheld Compatibility, Default Game Profiles, and Advanced Shader Delivery across more games. The company says over 1,000 PC games are now playable on handheld through the Handheld Compatibility program. Games like Ninja Gaiden 4, Grounded 2, High on Life 2, The Outer Worlds 2, Ark: Survival Ascended, Monster Hunter Rise, and Gears of War: Reloaded support all three features. Forza Horizon 6 is on the upcoming support list as well, when it launches on May 19.
When I reviewed the ROG Xbox Ally X last October, the biggest sticking point was the Xbox Full Screen Experience just not feeling polished enough for general consumers compared to SteamOS on the Steam Deck. Six months and several updates later, Microsoft and ASUS continue to chip away at those rough edges. The docking improvements in particular feel meaningful for anyone who wanted to use the device as a more console-flavored experience on a TV. There’s still work to do, but the trajectory is the right one. Whether or not Xbox continues investing in this route under new CEO Asha Sharma is another question.
